Edgar Garcia (Full Name: Edgar Eduardo Herrera Garcia), of Bakersfield, Sergio Mata (Full Name: Sergio Andres Lopez Mata), of Tijuana, Mexico, Killed In Bakersfield Semi-Truck Accident By Highway 33 and Petroleum Club Road
BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA (September 7, 2022) – Two people identified as Edgar Garcia and Sergio Mata died in a Bakersfield semi-truck accident by Highway 33 and Petroleum Club Road.
Kern County officials are saying that the accident took place on Sunday evening. Edgar Garcia and Sergio Mata were in a car traveling down Taft Highway when they were involved in a collision with a semi-truck.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. Sadly, Edgar Garcia and Sergio Mata both died due to the severity of their injuries.
The semi-truck driver involved in the crash remained at the scene and cooperated with police. It remains unclear if the truck driver will receive any citations for the crash.
Liability In Bakersfield Semi-Truck Accidents
The vast majority of the goods that are bought and sold every year in the United States spend some amount of time on commercial trucks. Semi-trucks are essential for the economy, but they also pose a number of unique hazards for passenger vehicles. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs. Even a low impact collision can be extremely dangerous. There are a number of steps that truck companies can take in order to prevent collisions.
- Semi-truck drivers should be well-trained and receive a commercial license when necessary.
- Semi-truck drivers should be well-rested before the start of their shift.
- Semi-trucks should be periodically inspected and well-maintained.
Truck drivers must exercise due care in order to avoid collisions. Semi-trucks have large blind spots and many collisions are due to truck drivers that make dangerous lane changes. According to California Vehicle Code 22107, no person shall turn a vehicle from a direct course upon a roadway until such a movement can be made with reasonable safety. If a truck driver hits a passenger vehicle while changing lanes, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Depending on the facts of any case, the company that a truck driver worked for could potentially be held at fault for a collision. In general, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a truck driver may have been delivering packages at the time of a crash. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any semi-truck accident.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- The truck’s event data recorder should be examined.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any person killed in a car accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Unfortunately, truck companies will often fight extremely hard to deny responsibility for any crash. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Bakersfield Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the families of Edgar Garcia and Sergio Mata. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a Bakersfield semi-truck accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys 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 more information about an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
¿Necesita más información sobre un accidente de semirremolque en Bakersfield? Nuestro equipo de abogados de lesiones personales está aquí para responder cualquier pregunta que pueda tener. Nos preocupamos profundamente de que las víctimas de accidentes estén conscientes de sus derechos y que esos derechos estén siendo protegidos. Ya sea que solo tenga preguntas legales o necesite más información sobre un accidente, estamos aquí para ayudarlo. Puedes llamarnos al (888) 441-4991.
