Falling Debris On The Road

When people think of car crashes, they often imagine two vehicles colliding with each other. While this is a common car accident scenario, it is not the only type of crash that occurs in Florida. Many accidents, for instance, are caused by falling debris, which can be just as dangerous as a collision between vehicles. Fortunately, accident victims who are involved in these kinds of crashes can still attempt to recover compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage, so if you were hurt in a crash after colliding with fallen debris on a Florida roadway, you should consider reaching out to an experienced Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyer for help.

How do Falling Debris Accidents Occur?

Falling debris accidents occur when cargo that is being hauled by other vehicles falls into the road and onto, or into, the path of other motorists. Any material being hauled or carried by a vehicle could be dangerous to other road users, but certain types of items are more common than others, including:

• Steel beams;
• Logs and Lumber;
• Tools;
• Construction materials;
• Landscaping equipment;
• Loose gravel and rocks;
• Tree branches and limbs; and
• Liquid cargo, such as chemicals and fuel.

Each of these materials poses a unique risk to drivers. Fuel spills, for instance, can result in fires, while fallen logs and lumber, although they may not pose a risk of exposure or fire, tend to have a higher risk of blunt force impact, as they are so heavy and unwieldy. The nature of the injuries from fallen debris accidents will also partly depend on the materials in question. Bigger materials, like logs and lumber, steel beams, and construction materials, for instance, are more likely to cause blunt force impact injuries, like broken bones and head trauma. Fuel spills, on the other hand, can cause burns, while loose gravel may be more likely to cause vehicle damage and less severe lacerations.

What Causes Debris to Come Loose?

One of the most common causes of falling debris accidents is a failure on the part of a driver to properly secure his or her cargo. Many of these accidents involve trucks, which are tasked with carrying more burdensome cargo. Although the federal government has specific rules for these drivers, regarding how they secure their cargo, these regulations aren’t always followed. Not all falling debris accidents, however, are caused by loose cargo. Some, for instance, are caused by falling vehicle parts, such as:

• Exhaust pipes;
• Tires;
• Wheels;
• Bumpers;
• Suspension systems; and
• Any loose car part.

Cars that strike, or are struck by, these objects can suffer significant property damage, while the occupants could be at risk of physical injury. Other crashes may occur because a driver attempts to swerve and avoid the debris, but strikes another vehicle instead.

Let Our Car Accident Attorneys Help You

Were you involved in a falling debris car accident? If so, you could be entitled to compensation. To learn more, please reach out to the dedicated team of Florida car accident lawyers at Boone & Davis by calling 954-566-9919 today.

Resource:

fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/cargo-securement/cargo-securement-rules