Pedestrian Seriously Injured In Santa Maria Valley Big Rig Truck Accident On Highway 101
SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA (June 27, 2022) – A pedestrian in their 30’s was critically injured in a Santa Maria semi-truck accident along Highway 101.
Santa Barbara County officials are saying that the accident took place around 4:00 p.m. on Friday. A pedestrian was hit by a vehicle under unclear conditions.
There was a semi-truck parked not far from the accident, though it is not entirely sure if that truck was involved. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
A Calstar medical helicopter took the victim to the hospital so that they could receive treatment. An investigation into the accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Santa Maria Truck Accidents
Semi-trucks are essential to transport all of the goods that get bought and sold every year in the United States. But they pose a number of unique hazards to pedestrians and those in smaller vehicles. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs and can therefore be very difficult to stop. Trucks also have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of pedestrians. There are a number of steps that truck drivers should take in order to avoid collisions.
- Truck drivers should be well-rested before the start of their shift.
- Truck drivers should ensure that their vehicle is properly maintained.
- Truck drivers should abstain from alcohol and other intoxicating substances.
All commercial truck drivers must get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and are expected to operate their vehicle with a great deal of caution. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22350, “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.” If a truck driver fails to reduce their speed and hits a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
The company that a truck driver worked for could be held at fault for a collision. 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 evade liability for crashes by hiring truck drivers as “independent contractors.” It is important to determine the employment status of a truck driver at the time of a crash. Victims of truck accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Organ damage
- PTSD
The FMCSA requires commercial trucks to carry between $750,000 – $5,000,000 worth of liability coverage. Trucks that are carrying hazardous materials will typically need higher insurance limits. Any person that is injured due to the negligence of a truck driver may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. A truck accident attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Santa Barbara County Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to the victim of this Santa Maria accident. 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.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Santa Maria truck accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they deserve. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
