How Road Debris Can Cause Auto Accidents
When most people think of the reasons behind automobile accidents they probably think of excessive speed, intoxication, and distractions due to cell phones. While these are all causes of car crashes, road debris is also a contributor to crashes that many people likely don’t think about.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has stated that 25,000 crashes a year are caused by road debris. The following information describes the type of debris that is often left on roads, how these objects can cause accidents, and what an individual should do if they find themselves injured in a debris related accident.
Different Types of Road Debris
Debris from 18 wheelers is some of the most typical types of road hazards. Blown tires, vehicle parts, and lost cargo can all come off of these large vehicles while they’re on the road. While most of the debris that is found on roadways has come off of other vehicles, sometimes road debris comes from other sources.
Animal corpses can present road hazards, especially for smaller cars or motorcycles. Road debris can also be on the road because of extreme weather conditions. Branches and other large items can be blown onto roads due to high winds.
How Debris Can Cause Accidents
There are generally two ways debris on the road can cause accidents. The first is when the driver loses control of the vehicle because of having to break or swerve suddenly to avoid hitting the object. A driver may have to make a split-second decision regarding whether to swerve or hit the item.
The other way accidents can happen is when the debris is thrown into the windshield of the vehicle. This often happens when the object is propelled by the tires of another vehicle. Sometimes debris comes off a vehicle when it has not been secured properly. In other cases it may have simply been tossed along the side of the road as liter.
What to Do if You’ve Been in an Accident
If you have been injured because of an accident involving road debris it can be difficult to determine what type of compensation you may be able to receive. When determining who is negligent in such cases and if the negligence was accidental or otherwise, it’s often recommended to seek out the advice of a skilled attorney.
It’s often difficult to track down the vehicle that the debris came off of. Sometimes a public organization or entity may be liable if the roadway was not cleaned and maintained in a timely manner.
If you have suffered injuries or lost time from work because of an accident involving some type of road hazard or debris you’ll want to consult a personal injury lawyer to determine all the options that may be available.
Get The Help & Resources You Deserve
If you or your passenger has been injured in an auto accident, lost a loved one as a result of the accident, or if you would like more information about other serious injury cases contact Boca Raton Car Accident Attorney at Glotzer & Kobren, P.A. at 561-361-8677.
