Michael Saida, of Buena Park, Died In Cerritos Car Accident With Loomis Armored Truck on the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway
CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA (September 28, 2022) – A man identified as Michael Saida has tragically died in a Cerritos car accident with a Loomis armored truck on the 605 Freeway.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the accident took place around 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday. Michael Saida was involved in a multi-vehicle collision which included a pickup truck and a Loomis armored truck.
Loomis armored trucks are large secured vehicles which are typically used to transport money and other valuables. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help all of the victims.
Several people were injured in the crash. Sadly, Michael Saida died as a result of his injuries. Authorities have not yet revealed the circumstances leading up to the crash.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Cerritos Truck Accidents
Large trucks can be very difficult to maneuver and pose a number of unique safety concerns for pedestrians and those ins smaller vehicles. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs. When a fully loaded semi-truck is traveling at 65 mph, it can take the length of two football fields to come to a complete stop. These trucks also tend to have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of smaller vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has listed a number of factors that could possibly contribute to a truck accident.
- Inadequate surveillance
- Illegal maneuvers
- Driver fatigue
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Interruption of traffic flow
All truck drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care to prevent collisions. They must continuously scan the road ahead of them. Many collisions are due to truck drivers that make dangerous lane changes. According to California Vehicle Code 221017, no person shall turn a vehicle from a direct course either left or right upon a roadway unless such a movement can be made with reasonable safety. If a driver made an abrupt movement into the path of another vehicle, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
When the driver of an armored truck crashes, their employer could also potentially be held at fault. Employers are typically vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, an armored truck driver may have been delivering money when they crashed. However, many companies will try to evade liability for crashes by hiring driver’s as “independent contractors.” Employers are typically not vicariously liable for the actions of independent contractors, unless those workers were performing some type of non-delegable duty.
It is also possible for there to be multiple at fault parties for any collision. This is especially true when 3 or more vehicles are involved in a collision. Many people who are involved in collisions might avoid seeking help because the police listed them at fault or said that they were partially at fault. But California is a pure comparative fault state. Even if someone involve in a collision is deemed partially at fault, this will not bar them from taking legal action. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any truck accident.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Work records of the truck driver should be examined.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
It can be difficult to know where to begin after any serious collision. But it is important to remember that accident victims do have rights. The family of any person killed in a truck 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. However, it is common for companies to fight hard to deny liability for any collision. This is why it is so important that all relevant evidence is properly preserved.
Investigating A Cerritos Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Michael Saida. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the CHP. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of all who have lost so much.
Do you need more information about a Cerritos car accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the information and support that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
