Male Pedestrian Died In Humboldt County Hit-And-Run Car Accident Involving Tractor Trailer Truck On State Route 299
HUMBOLDT COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (December 28, 2022) – A male pedestrian has tragically died in a Humboldt County hit-and-run semi-truck accident on SR 299.
Humboldt County officials are saying that the accident took place around 11:43 a.m. on December 21. California Highway Patrol officials received a call about a potentially deceased pedestrian along the shoulder of the highway.
The male pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers believe that the victim may have been hit by a semi-truck that fled the scene of the collision.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Humboldt County Truck Accidents
Hit-and-run collisions are far more common than many people realize. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, “In 2016, there were 1,980 fatal hit-and-run crashes resulting in 2,049 fatalities. This is the highest annual number of hit-and-run fatalities or crashes recorded since NHTSA began compiling statistics on fatal motor vehicle crashes in 1975.” There are a number of factors that could contribute to a hit-and-run collision.
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Inclement weather
- Poor road conditions
Truck drivers are held to a high standard in terms of safety. They must do everything in their power to avoid hitting pedestrians. This is true even if the pedestrian is outside of a crosswalk and in the middle of the road. When a truck driver hits a pedestrian and keeps going, this is typically strong evidence that they were not paying adequate attention to the road ahead of them. Victims of pedestrian accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
When a truck driver flees the scene of an injury accident they could face civil and criminal liability for their actions. The family of any person that died in a car accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Sadly, though, it is common for truck companies to deny liability for a truck accident. 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 California Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of the pedestrian killed in this collision. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. The driver responsible for this crash should do the right thing and come forward. It is never too late to do the right thing.
Do you need more information about a Humboldt County car accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any question that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
