Unicyclist Died In San Francisco Recology Recycling Truck Accident Near The Intersection of Octavia Street and Oak Street
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA (June 1, 2022) – A motorized unicyclist died in a San Francisco garbage truck accident by the intersection of Octavia Street and Oak Street.
San Francisco police officials are saying that the accident took place around 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday. A person was riding on a motorized unicycle when they were involved in a collision with a Recology recycling truck.
San Francisco police officials initially described the victim as a “bicyclist.” Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the unicycle rider.
Despite life-saving measures from first responders, the victim died due to the severity of their injuries. Police officers offered few details about what led up to the incident.
San Francisco police officials are asking anyone that may have witnessed the crash to reach out to them. Residents of San Francisco have long called the roadway between Octavia Street and Fell Street dangerous.
It has been regarded as especially dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. Problems began when Octavia Boulevard was transformed over a decade ago.
A full investigation into the San Francisco unicycle accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In San Francisco Recycling Truck Accidents
According to data from the FMCSA, around 100 people are killed every year in garbage truck accidents and about 1,400 people are injured. Garbage trucks can be particularly dangerous to pedestrians, bicyclists and unicyclists. It is common for garbage truck drivers to overlook pedestrians due to their small size. In particular, garbage trucks often have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of bicyclists and unicyclists. There are many other factors that could potentially contribute to a fatal garbage truck collision.
- Trash truck companies often push their drivers to complete their routes as quickly as possible in order to increase their profits. This inevitably leads to lapses in safety protocols.
- Trash trucks are much more difficult to operate than passenger vehicles. They make wide turns and can weigh up to 40,000 lbs. Many collisions involve drivers that are inexperienced or otherwise do not have adequate training.
- Trash truck drivers typically perform their duties in the early morning hours when visibility is reduced. Fatal pedestrian collisions are more likely to occur in the late evening and early morning hours.
Garbage truck drivers need a commercial drivers license (CDL) and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. They must do everything in their power to avoid collisions with bicyclists and pedestrians. Many collisions are due to drivers that make dangerous turns in the roadway. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21801, the driver of a motor vehicle shall yield the right of way to all vehicles traveling from an opposite direction close enough so as to pose a hazard. If a driver strikes a bicyclist or vehicle while making an unprotected turn, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Liability for a garbage truck accident could extend beyond any driver. If a garbage truck driver was working at the time of a collision, the company that they were working for could be held at fault. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the wrongful acts of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. The owner of a garbage truck could be a private company or it could be a municipality like the city of San Francisco.
Roadways and intersections can be dangerous and could potentially contribute to an accident. A city or municipality could potentially be held liable for an accident if it was caused by a dangerous condition with a roadway. Under California Government Code § 835, except as provided by statute, a public entity is liable for a dangerous condition on public property. This is true provided that the public entity (a) had actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition or (b) an employee of the public entity created the dangerous condition through a negligent or wrongful act or omission. There are a number of ways that a roadway could be in a dangerous condition.
- A roadway may lack appropriate traffic lights or signals.
- A roadway may have an obstructed line of sight.
- A roadway may be improperly graded which could cause it to become flooded.
- A roadway may have potholes or otherwise be rutted and uneven. This could cause a bicyclist to fall.
- A roadway may be improperly banked or dangerously steep.
When there is a history of collisions at a particular location, this could point to a latent defect with a roadway or intersection. The family of any victim that is killed in a San Francisco 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. If the decedent survived for some period of time after a collision, their family may also be able to pursue a survival action. Sadly, though, garbage truck companies and government agencies will often fight hard to deny responsibility for any accident. 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 San Francisco Trash Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of the unicyclist who died in this accident. Any person that may know more about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened for the sake of all who have lost so much. This is not the first accident to happen at this location.
Do you need more information about a San Francisco garbage truck accident? Our team of pedestrian and bicycle 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 steps are taken to help make our roadways safer. 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.
