Fatal Madera County Big Rig Crash: Two Dead, Three Injured

Big Rig Collision at Avenue 13 and Road 23 in Madera County Leaves Two Dead, Three Injured

Overview of the Crash
A tragic collision in rural Madera County claimed the lives of two people and injured three others on the morning of Wednesday, December 31, 2025. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the crash occurred just before 11:00 a.m. at the intersection of Avenue 13 and Road 23. A semi-truck hauling two trailers was traveling north on Road 23 when a westbound Honda CR-V carrying five occupants entered the intersection from Avenue 13, which is controlled by a stop sign. The SUV struck the right side of the trailers, veered toward the northwest corner of the intersection, overturned, and four of its occupants were ejected.

CHP reported that all five occupants of the Honda CR-V appeared to be in their late 20s to mid-30s. A male and a female were pronounced dead at the scene. The three surviving occupants were taken to a local hospital; their conditions have not been publicly released. The truck driver was not injured. Investigators noted that four of the five people in the SUV were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

Emergency medical personnel, fire crews, and county road teams responded, and tow services were required for both the semi-truck and the SUV. The cause of the collision remains under investigation by the CHP.

Key Factors Under Review
While CHP’s investigation is ongoing, collisions of this nature often involve multiple factors. Among the issues commonly examined in serious intersection crashes like this are:

- Right-of-way and stop sign compliance on the stop-controlled approach
- Line-of-sight at rural intersections, including vegetation, signage placement, and lighting
- Roadway design, surface conditions, and skid marks
- Speed of both vehicles approaching the intersection
- Trailer configuration and stopping distances for heavy trucks hauling doubles
- Condition and load of the semi-truck, including brake performance and trailer connections
- Distracted or impaired driving (to be determined through reports and testing)
- Seatbelt use and the mechanism of ejection for unrestrained occupants

Large commercial vehicles require longer stopping distances, and doubles can be more susceptible to trailer swing or tracking issues during emergency maneuvers. Investigators typically review the truck’s electronic control module (ECM) data, maintenance records, and any available dash camera or telematics data, along with witness statements and physical evidence at the scene.

Comparative Negligence and Seatbelt Nonuse in California
California follows a comparative negligence rule. This means that responsibility for a crash can be shared among multiple parties. Even if one driver failed to yield at a stop sign, other factors—such as speed, visibility, or vehicle maintenance—may also be found to contribute. In wrongful death and injury cases, a jury can assign percentages of fault to each party and adjust compensation accordingly.

Seatbelt use can also affect civil claims. In California, evidence that a person was not wearing a seatbelt may be considered if the nonuse contributed to the severity of injuries. This does not bar a claim, but damages may be reduced if a defendant proves the lack of restraint exacerbated the harm. Each case turns on specific facts and expert testimony about injury mechanisms.

Wrongful Death and Injury Claims After a Fatal Crash
Families who lose a loved one in a crash may be able to bring a wrongful death claim against the party or parties found to be at fault. A wrongful death claim can seek compensation for:

- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support the deceased would have provided
- Loss of care, companionship, comfort, and guidance
- Household services the deceased contributed

In addition, the decedent’s estate may have a related claim, often called a survival action, for certain losses incurred between injury and death. The specific damages available depend on the facts and the governing law at the time of filing.

Crashes between passenger vehicles and tractor-trailers hauling double trailers raise complex legal questions about right-of-way, stopping distance, visibility, vehicle maintenance, and compliance with commercial safety regulations. As CHP continues investigating the Avenue 13 and Road 23 collision, families may need clarity about wrongful death, survival actions, and comparative negligence under California law.

Avian Law Group has experience handling catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases involving commercial trucks throughout Madera County and the Central Valley. If your family has been affected by this tragedy, our attorneys can evaluate liability, review the investigation, and pursue full and fair compensation. Contact us for a no-obligation case evaluation.