Investigation Underway After Freightliner Truck Crash in Madera Killed Three People Near Madera County Intersection
MADERA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (September 21, 2025) – A mother was injured, and her three children have tragically died, in a Madera County semi-truck accident at Avenue 7 and Road 24.
Madera County officials are saying the crash took place around 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. A gray Honda Odyssey was traveling southbound when it was involved in a collision with a Freightliner truck at the intersection.
Paramedics were called to help the victims. Sadly, three children did not survive the crash. The ages of the children were listed as 6, 15, and 17. Their mother was transported to the hospital with moderate injuries.
A full investigation into the Madera County truck accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Madera County Truck Accidents
Truck drivers are required to get a commercial driver’s license. They must operate with an abundance of caution to avoid colliding with other vehicles. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22350, “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.” There are several ways a truck driver may have acted negligently and contributed to a crash.
- Fatigue: A truck driver may fail to take required rest breaks and allow themselves to become dangerously fatigued.
- Blind Spots: A truck driver may fail to check their blind spots before proceeding through an intersection.
- Distractions: A truck driver may have been distracted by their cell phone or other object.
Accidents tend to be complex events. There could be numerous liable parties for any collision. This could include a municipal entity responsible for maintaining an intersection. As a general principle, municipal entities can be liable for car accidents caused by a dangerous road condition. For example, an intersection may have trees or other foliage that obscure the presence of stop signs. When a municipal entity has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous road condition, they must take action.
Steps to Take After a Madera County Truck Accident
Many people are seriously injured or killed each year in collisions involving commercial truck drivers. According to the FMCSA, “In 2021, 5,700 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes. According to MCMIS, 60,375 large trucks were involved in injury crashes, and 116,468 were involved in towaway crashes.” It is important that several actions are taken after a truck collision.
- Police Report: The police should be called to the scene of the collision so that they can begin an immediate investigation. They will interview witnesses and give their assessments on who they think may have been at fault. But these reports are far from exhaustive.
- Surveillance Footage: Many collisions are captured by surveillance footage. This is particularly true when an accident takes place at a busy intersection or in a commercial district.
- Event Data Recorder (EDR): Commercial trucks often have event data recorders. These devices function in much the same way as the black box on an airplane. They should be reviewed for the critical insights that they may hold.
It is important for victims of truck accidents to understand that they do have legal rights. They have a right to seek some measure of accountability and justice for any collision that is the result of negligence. This may include claims against truck drivers, their employers, maintenance companies, and the entities responsible for maintaining a roadway. In these instances, accidents should be properly investigated by an outside party familiar with accident claims.
Investigating Madera County Truck Accidents
We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC extend our deepest condolences to the family of the woman killed in this truck accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to make this intersection safer.
Do you need more information about a Madera County truck accident? Our team of accident investigators is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that victims get information and resources that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we are here to support you. You can contact us anytime at 949-727-9300.
