Hector Serrano, of Riverside, Died In Menifee Semi-Truck Accident Following Tire Blowout On The Interstate 215 Freeway By McCall Boulevard
MENIFEE, CALIFORNIA (August 3, 2022) – A 22-year-old man identified as Hector Serrano died in a Menifee semi-truck accident on Interstate 215 after a tire blowout.
Riverside County officials are saying that the accident took place around 5:55 a.m. on Monday. The driver of a 2002 Mack truck was towing a trailer on I-215 when a left tire on the truck blew.
The 45-year-old driver of the semi-truck lost control and began to enter the no. 1 lane of the freeway. It was at this point that the driver of a Toyota pickup truck took evasive action after noticing the semi-truck coming towards him.
The driver of the pickup truck lost control and rolled over. Hector Serrano was a passenger in the pickup truck and seriously injured in the crash.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help all of the victims. According to an initial report, the driver of the pickup suffered only minor injuries and was taken to the Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar.
Sadly, Hector Serrano was pronounced dead at the scene. A full investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Menifee Semi-Truck Accidents
Nearly 4,000 people are killed every year in semi-truck accidents. There are a variety of factors that could potentially contribute to a semi-truck accident. According to the FMCSA, “Elements that influence the occurrence of a crash may take place hours, days, or months before the crash. They include driver training and experience, vehicle design and manufacture, highway condition and traffic signaling, and weather conditions.” The condition of a truck’s tires can also be a determining factor for a crash. There are many steps that truck companies should take to prevent tire blowouts.
- The pressure of a truck’s tires should be regularly checked.
- Tires should be replaced on schedule.
- A semi-truck should never be overloaded as this can cause excessive wear on the tires.
- A truck’s tires should be regularly inspected for signs of wear.
Truck drivers will typically need to get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. They must operate with due care and abide by all traffic laws. This includes going the speed limit. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22350, no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed greater than would be reasonable or safe given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. Even if a truck driver was going at a safe speed before a crash, they could be liable for over-correcting after a tire blowout. There are steps that all drivers can take to reduce the odds they will lose control after a blowout.
The company responsible for maintaining a truck’s tires could also potentially be liable for a collision. Semi-trucks are complex machines with a very high utilization rate. If a mechanic fails to properly care for or repair the tires on a semi-truck this could easily lead to a blowout. For example, a tire sidewall blowout could be due to under-inflation. It could also be due to improper repair of a tire puncture. When a mechanic fails to properly care for or replace a worn tire, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Some tire blowouts are due to latent defects with a tire itself. Companies that manufacture tires have a legal responsibility to create products that are reasonably safe. They could be liable for design, manufacturing or marketing defects associated with their products. For example, many tire blowouts are due to latent defects that occur with the tire manufacturing process. The outer shell of the tire may not properly chemically bond with the inner portion which could lead to catastrophic failure. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any semi-truck accident.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- The truck involved in the crash should be examined.
- Maintenance records for the truck should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any victim that died in a semi-truck accident may have legal recourse through California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the unexpected expenses that can come with the sudden loss of a love one. Sadly, though, truck companies will often fight extremely hard to deny liability for any truck collision. 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 Menifee Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Hector Serrano. It is our sincere hope that the driver of the pickup truck will be able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There are so many questions that need to be answered.
Do you need more information about a Menifee semi-truck accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the information and resources that they are entitled to. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into a collision we are here for you. You are always welcome to reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991. Se habla español.
