Man Killed In Madera County Semi-Truck Accident on Highway 99 Near The Highway 152 Interchange
MADERA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (June 14, 2022) – A male pedestrian has tragically died in a Madera County semi-truck accident on Highway 152 by the Highway 152 Interchange.
Madera County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 2:45 a.m. on Wednesday. A male pedestrian was in the roadway when they were hit by a semi-truck.
The driver of the semi-truck stopped after the collision and dialed 911. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
Sadly, the male pedestrian died due to the severity of his injuries. It remains unclear if the driver of the semi-truck will face any citations for the crash.
Liability In Madera County Semi-Truck Accidents
Thousands of pedestrians are killed or seriously injured in semi-truck accidents every year. According to the IIHS, “A total of 4,014 people died in large truck crashes in 2020. Fifteen percent of these deaths were truck occupants, 68 percent were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 16 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.” Pedestrians are uniquely vulnerable in semi-truck accidents for a number of reasons.
- Pedestrians are more likely to be overlooked due to their small profile.
- Pedestrians lack the protection of enclosed vehicles.
- A fully loaded semi-truck can take the length of two football fields to come to a stop.
Semi-truck drivers will need to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. They must scan the road ahead of them and do everything in their power to avoid collisions. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21950, all drivers must exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians in marked crosswalks. But even if a pedestrian is not in a marked crosswalk, every driver must use diligence to not hit them. If a truck driver hit a pedestrian, they could be held liable for the crash.
If a truck driver was working at the time of a collision, the company that they were working for could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful acts of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. However, truck companies will often try to avoid liability for crashes by hiring truck driver’s as “independent contractors.” There are a number of steps that should be taken after any truck accident.
- The employment status of the truck driver should be determined.
- The truck’s event data recorder should be examined.
- Surveillance footage of the accident should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
The family of any victim that died in a semi-truck accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the unexpected expenses that can come with the sudden loss of a love one. However, the plaintiff will need to demonstrate negligence in order to prevail in any claim. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A California Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man that died in this collision. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a Madera County semi-truck accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any assistance after an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
