Driver Killed in Visalia, CA, 18-wheeler Accident on Houston Ave
Visalia, CA -- February 16, 2017, a person was killed after an accident where their vehicle crashed into an 18-wheeler on Houston Avenue.
Police and other emergency personnel were called to the accident scene in the early morning hours of Thursday. Their reports indicate that the crash happened between the Ben Maddox Way and Cain Street.
Preliminary police reports state that a car was driving down Houston Avenue when it somehow crossed paths with an 18-wheeler. The car slammed into the side of the trailer, going underneath it.
As a result of the collision, the driver of the car suffered fatal injuries. That person was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
Authorities have not released any additional details surrounding this accident.
Map of the Area
Commentary
It's been about a week since this accident happened, and I haven't found any updates on what occurred here. I think it's easy for people to jump conclusions about what caused the accident, especially since news outlets are saying that drugs and alcohol are being investigated. In an accident like this, that tends to be standard procedure, but most people see it as, "The driver was probably drunk." I see this kind of behavior all the time after these early accident reports, and I always say the same thing: without a more thorough investigation, no one should jump to conclusions.
Police reports often present an accident in very basic terms. They say who hit who, when, and where. Sometimes you get the why, but not often. A police investigators primary job is to determine if a crime was committed. Beyond that, they are not obligated to determine who is liable for an accident. The result of this is that many accidents go unsolved because people see a police report and think, "Well, I guess that's all there is to it."
What they aren't considering is all of the subtle factors that can cause an accident which might not show up during preliminary investigations. Brake failure, broken headlights, speeding, texting and driving, the condition of the road, visibility--all of these are things that can contribute to a crash. Even if they are involved, they're not always obvious. It usually takes an independent investigator whose specialty is investigating traffic accidents. That's where 3rd Party Investigators come in.
I've always advocated for the use of 3rd Party Investigators for the simple reason that they are effective. After an accident where someone is hurt or killed, many people want to know if they might have a claim against someone, but for the most part people just want to know the truth about what happened. The best way to accomplish either of these is have tangible evidence. Only with the full story can those affected by an accident move toward a resolution.
--Grossman Law Offices
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