Franklin Aquino Died In Sun Valley, Los Angeles Semi-Truck Accident On the 5 Freeway by the 170 Interchange —> GoFundMe Set Up To Help One Victim’s Family
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (February 26, 2023) – A man identified as Franklin Aquino was killed in a Sun Valley, Los Angeles semi-truck accident on the 5 Freeway.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the collision took place around 5:00 a.m. on Friday. Franklin Aquino was in a white van that stalled on the freeway.
The van was then struck from behind by a big rig truck. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victims.
Despite life-saving measures, Franklin Aquino and one other person both died due to the severity of their injuries. Firefighters also had to put out a fire that started inside of the van.
You can help support the family of one of the victims through GoFundMe. According to the online fundraiser, “Franklin was the sweetest and kindest person. Franklin was a U.S. veteran. He worked at access service giving rides to the elderly because he himself took care of his grandmother.”
A full investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Sun Valley Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi-trucks can be particularly dangerous and are involved in a disproportionate number of traffic fatalities. According to Trucking Info, “There were 5,601 fatalities involving at least one large truck in 2021, compared to 4,965 fatalities in 2020. Decreases in fatalities compared to the previous year’s report were recorded in just three months of the year.” There are a number of steps that truck companies can take in order to prevent collisions.
- Semi-trucks can be equipped with driver assistance systems.
- Semi-truck drivers should be well-trained and given adequate time to take breaks.
- Semi-trucks should be regularly inspected and properly maintained.
Semi-truck drivers need to get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Many truck collisions are due to truck drivers that are not paying adequate attention to the road ahead of them. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21703, the driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than would be reasonable or prudent given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that rear-ends another vehicle in the roadway.
Depending on the facts of any case, the company that a truck driver worked for could face civil liability for a collision. In general, companies are legally responsible for the negligent acts of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. However, truck companies will try to evade liability for crashes by hiring their drivers as “independent contractors.” There are a number of steps that should be taken after any semi-truck accident.
- Surveillance footage of the crash should be taken.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
The vast majority of semi-truck accidents are preventable. It is common for truck drivers to be fatigued and simply not paying enough attention to the vehicles ahead of them. The family of any person that is killed 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 expenses that come with the sudden loss of a loved one. It is crucial that all evidence is properly preserved after a truck accident.
Investigating A Sun Valley Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Franklin Aquino. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be some accountability for what happened. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place.
Do you need more information about a Sun Valley semi-truck accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that truck companies are held to account for their negligence. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991. Se habla español.
