Jose Caratachea-Valencia, of Selma, Died In Fresno County Semi-Truck Accident Near The Intersection of Elm Avenue and North Avenue
FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (May 23, 2022) – A man identified as Jose Caratachea-Valencia has tragically died in a car accident with a semi-truck by Elm Avenue and North Avenue.
Fresno County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 3:00 a.m. on Monday. Jose Caratachea-Valencia was going down the road in a 2010 Mercury when the driver of a semi-truck pulled directly in front of him.
The Mercury driver was unable to avoid the collision and hit the side of the semi-truck as it pulled into a driveway. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
Emergency responders had to use the Jaws of Life to free Jose Caratachea-Valencia after his vehicle became wedged underneath the truck. Sadly, he died due to the severity of his injuries.
It remains unclear if the driver of the semi-truck will face any citations for turning in front of the victim’s vehicle prior to the crash. A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing.
Liability In Fresno County Semi-Truck Accidents
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in collisions with commercial trucks. According to the IIHS, 4,014 people were killed in truck accidents in 2020 alone. Tens of thousands more were left with serious injuries. More than 2/3 of the victims were in cars and other passenger vehicles. There are a number of factors that make semi-trucks particularly dangerous to people in smaller vehicles.
- Semi-trucks have a high ground clearance which makes underride collisions more likely.
- Semi-trucks have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of smaller vehicles, especially during turns.
- Semi-trucks can weigh 20 – 30 times more than passenger vehicles. Even low-impact collisions can be catastrophic.
Truck drivers must get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. They must get specialized training to operate their vehicle safely. Many truck accidents are due to truck drivers that make dangerous left turns in the roadway. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21801, the driver of any vehicle intending to turn left onto a roadway, alley or public or private property must yield the right-of-way to all drivers traveling from the opposite direction that are close enough to pose a hazard. When a truck driver is struck by a vehicle as the truck is turning, the truck driver will typically be held at fault for the resulting crash.
Depending on the facts of any case, liability for a truck accident could extend beyond a truck driver. If the truck driver was working at the time of a collision, the company that they were working for could be held at fault – insofar as the truck driver was working within the course and scope of their job duties. However, many truck companies will try to evade liability for collisions by hiring their drivers as “independent contractors.” It is important to determine the employment status of a truck driver when a crash occured.
Far too often, police officers will try to blame victims for accidents when those victims commit any traffic infraction. But here is the truth. Even if an accident victim is partially at fault for a collision, this does not excuse the negligence of another driver that contributed to the crash. California is a pure comparative negligence state. An accident victim or their family can recover damages as long as the other party’s negligence was a substantial factor in causing his/her harm. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any collision involving a commercial truck.
- Surveillance footage of the accident should be sought.
- The truck’s event data recorder (EDR) should be examined.
- Photos of the accident site should be sought.
- A forensic examination of the crash site should be conducted.
The family of any victim that died due to the negligence of a truck driver may have legal recourse through California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and funeral costs. Unfortunately, truck companies will fight hard to deny liability for any collision involving their driver. A truck accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Fresno County Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jose Caratachea-Valencia. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to authorities. There are a number of questions that need to be answered. Was the truck driver involved in this crash distracted? Were they fatigued? Did they check their blind spots before turning?
Do you need more information about a Fresno County semi-truck accident? Our team of consumer 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 negligent drivers are held to account for their actions. 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.
