Injury Crash in Visalia Due to Foggy Conditions

Three-Vehicle Truck Crash with Injuries at Riggin Avenue and American Street in Visalia

Incident Overview

On Monday morning, November 24, 2025, a multi-vehicle crash with injuries occurred at the intersection of Riggin Avenue and American Street in Visalia. Initial reports indicate the collision happened around 8:30 a.m. during heavy fog conditions that reduced visibility. Three vehicles were involved, including a large hauling truck carrying crates. A blue pickup truck at the scene sustained extensive front-end damage. Paramedics and law enforcement responded promptly, and at least one person was treated for injuries. The crash remains under investigation, and no official fault determination has been released.

Fog-Related Hazards and Intersection Safety in the Central Valley

Late fall and winter months frequently bring dense tule fog to the Central Valley, creating particularly hazardous driving conditions. Fog can reduce sight distance to just a few car lengths, making it hard for drivers to see traffic signals, brake lights, cross traffic, or stopped vehicles at intersections like Riggin Avenue and American Street. Even at lower speeds, limited visibility can increase stopping distances, complicate left-turn decisions, and heighten the risk of multi-vehicle impacts.

Drivers are required to travel at a safe speed for conditions, regardless of the posted limit. Under California’s basic speed law, motorists must slow down when visibility is poor, maintain extra following distance, and use low-beam headlights in fog. Large commercial trucks require even greater distance to stop, and their weight can magnify the severity of any collision. When fog is present, careful lane positioning, cautious approach to intersections, and readiness for sudden stops can help prevent serious crashes.

What May Be Under Investigation

While the precise cause of this crash has not yet been confirmed, investigators typically examine several contributing factors in fog-related, intersection collisions:

- Visibility and speed for conditions, including whether drivers adjusted speed appropriately for fog.
- Right-of-way decisions, especially for left turns or cross traffic at a controlled intersection.
- Following distance and reaction time given reduced sightlines.
- Mechanical issues such as brake performance, tire condition, or lighting on all vehicles.
- Commercial vehicle factors, including driver training, logbooks, hours-of-service compliance, load securement, and maintenance records.
- Roadway conditions and traffic control devices, including whether signals were functioning and whether any obstructions affected visibility.

Potentially Liable Parties in a Truck-Involved Collision

When a commercial truck is part of a crash, the question of liability can be more complex than in a typical passenger-vehicle collision. Responsibility may extend beyond just one driver and can include:

- The truck driver, for speed, inattention, or unsafe maneuvers in fog.
- The trucking company, for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or dispatch practices.
- The owner of the truck or trailer, if different from the carrier.
- Cargo loaders or shippers, if improper loading or unsecured cargo contributed to the crash.
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers, if a mechanical failure due to a defective component played a role.
- Maintenance contractors, if negligent service contributed to a brake, tire, or lighting failure.
- Potential government entities, if a dangerous roadway condition or malfunctioning signal contributed to the collision.

California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means each party can be assigned a percentage of fault. Even if an injured person is found partially responsible, they may still recover compensation reduced by their share of fault.

This multi-vehicle collision in Visalia illustrates how quickly foggy Central Valley conditions can turn a routine commute into a dangerous, high-stakes emergency. With visibility reduced and large commercial trucks involved, even minor miscalculations can lead to significant injuries and extensive vehicle damage. As investigators work to determine how speed, sight distance, right-of-way decisions, and commercial vehicle factors contributed to the crash, those injured are left facing medical concerns, financial stress, and uncertainty about what comes next.

Crashes involving trucks are often more complex than typical passenger-vehicle collisions. Multiple layers of responsibility may be at play—from driver conduct and trucking company practices to equipment maintenance, cargo loading, and roadway conditions. For injured victims, understanding these dynamics early is critical, especially when insurance carriers for commercial trucks move quickly to limit their exposure.

At Avian Law Group, we have extensive experience handling truck-involved and fog-related collisions throughout the Central Valley. Our team conducts thorough investigations, works with experts to reconstruct visibility and speed conditions, and fights to ensure every responsible party is held accountable under California’s comparative negligence laws.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a collision involving a truck or in hazardous driving conditions, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. We are here to protect your rights, secure answers, and pursue the compensation you deserve.