Dina Martinez, of Long Beach, (Full Name: Dina Silva Martinez) Died In Chino Semi-Truck Accident At Private Property On East End Avenue
CHINO, CALIFORNIA (June 20, 2022) – A woman identified as Dina Martinez has tragically died in a Chino semi-truck accident at a private property on East End Avenue.
San Bernardino County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 11:51 a.m. on June 6. Dina Martinez was struck by a semi-truck under unclear conditions.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. Sadly, Dina Martinez died due to the severity of her injuries.
The truck driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police officials. A full investigation into the fatal Chino pedestrian accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Chino Semi-Truck Accidents
It has been estimated that commercial trucks are involved in around 4,000 fatal accidents in the United States every year. Semi-trucks can be particularly hazardous to pedestrians for a number of reasons. Semi-trucks have large blind spots all around the vehicle. They are especially pronounced in the front and on the sides of the truck. There are many other factors that could potentially contribute to an accident.
- A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh 20-30 times more than a passenger vehicle. They are therefore more difficult to maneuver.
- A semi-truck traveling at freeway speeds can take the length of two football fields to come to a stop.
- Semi-trucks have a wide turning radius which can make side-impact collisions more likely.
Truck drivers will typically need to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. A serious traffic infraction can jeopardize a truck driver’s ability to maintain their CDL. They must also adhere to all rules and regulations set forth in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. They can only work for a maximum of 11 hours in one day over a 14 hour period. They must also accurately log all of their working hours.
Many accidents are due to truck drivers that are fatigued and fail to see pedestrians in the roadway. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21954, all drivers must exercise due care in order to avoid hitting any pedestrian in the roadway even if they are outside of a lawfully marked crosswalk. It is not uncommon for truck drivers to hit pedestrians as they are reversing out of a property. These types of collisions can nearly always be avoided when drivers take the time to check their blind spots.
If a truck driver was working at the time of a collision, their employer could also be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as the employee was working within the course and scope of their job duties. However, many truck companies will try to evade liability for collisions by hiring truck drivers as “independent contractors.” There are a number of steps that should be taken after any truck accident.
- The employment status of the truck driver should be determined.
- The truck driver’s logbook should be examined.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
Most commercial trucks come equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). This can offer a great deal of insight into what a truck driver was doing prior to any collision. The family of any victim that died in a semi-truck accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Family members may also be able to pursue a survival action if the decedent survived for some period of time after the 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 Chino Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Dina Martinez. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other tragedies at this location. There are also a number of questions that need to be answered. Did the truck driver have the proper license for their vehicle? Did they check their blind spots? Could this tragedy have been prevented?
Do you need more information about a Chino semi-truck accident? Our team of pedestrian 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 those rights are being protected. 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.
