Dump Truck Involved in Fatal Eureka Collision With Cyclist by Union and West Harris
EUREKA, CALIFORNIA (March 9, 2025) – A bicyclist has tragically died in a Eureka dump truck accident near Zoe Barnum High School and the intersection of West Harris and Union.
Humboldt County officials are saying that the accident took place around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. A dump truck was turning east on West Harris from Union and hit a bicyclist.
Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. Tragically, the victim was beyond medical aid and pronounced dead at the scene.
A photo of the accident site showed the dump truck ran over the bicyclist with its left front tires. The truck driver involved in the collision remained at the scene and cooperated with police.
It remains unclear if they will receive any citations.
Liability for Eureka Dump Truck Accidents
There has been a continuous increase in the number of serious injury dump truck collisions in recent years. According to the Engineering News Record, “Serious accidents involving dump trucks and ready-mix concrete delivery trucks continue to edge up, part of a persistent, multi-industry problem with poor driving habits that has not yet responded to increased fleet and vehicle insurance premiums.” Companies should take a number of measures to help prevent dump truck collisions.
- Driver Training: Companies should ensure that all of their drivers are well trained in the operation of dump trucks. In particular, all drivers should be aware of the blind spots on their vehicle.
- Pre-Trip Inspections: Companies should make sure that all of their vehicles receive periodic inspections. These inspections should include examining brakes, lights, mirrors, and other critical components.
- Fatigue Management: Companies should ensure that all of their drivers take required rest breaks. They must also ensure that all drivers do not exceed allowable work hours in a day or week.
Dump truck drivers are required to get a commercial license. They must exercise a great deal of caution in order to avoid collisions. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22107, no person operating a vehicle shall make a left or right turn upon a roadway until it is reasonably safe to do so. They must also give the appropriate signal to alert drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists of their intentions. If a dump truck driver turns into the path of a bicyclist, they could be held liable for the collision.
The company that owned or operated a truck could also be liable for any collision involving one of their drivers. Consider, for example, Cabral v. Ralphs Grocery Co. A semi-truck driver parked their vehicle by the side of the freeway in order to have a snack. This resulted in a fatal collision after another driver collided with the semi-truck. The California Supreme Court held that a trucking company could be liable for the decisions of their driver when those decisions can lead to foreseeable harm. Certain actions should be taken after any truck accident.
- Police Report: The collision should be reported to the police as early as possible. Authorities will begin conducting a preliminary investigation to determine liability.
- Surveillance Footage: All surveillance footage that may have captured the accident should be sought.
- Medical Records: Medical records related to the accident should also be preserved. These can be enormously useful in demonstrating how an accident took place.
Given the enormous weight and size of dump trucks, it is critical that their operators do everything in their power to avoid collisions. But in far too many situations, this does not take place. Dump truck drivers may travel too fast, considering the maneuverability of their vehicle. To make matters worse, they will often do everything in their power to avoid any responsibility for their actions in the event of a collision. This is why it is so important that dump truck collisions are properly investigated by an outside party.
Investigating Humboldt County Dump Truck Collisions
We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC extend our deepest condolences to the family of the cyclist killed in this Eureka dump truck accident. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Any person that may have more information should reach out to authorities. City officials should do their part and consider what measures can be taken to help make the stretch of road safer. As cities in California have continued to grow, their infrastructure has not kept pace with additional traffic.
Do you need more information about a Humboldt County dump truck accident? Our team of bicycle safety advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that truck drivers are held accountable for all of their negligent actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 949-727-9300.
