A recent AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety report shows that road debris leads to more than 50,000 accidents each year. When debris falls from another vehicle on the interstate, it is often hard to avoid. This is especially true when you are following too closely to see objects you need to avoid.
While it is important to never tailgate to help prevent these crashes, it is also paramount that you understand your legal rights after a road debris-related accident. If another driver’s negligence contributed to or caused your road debris accident, you may be eligible to collect compensation from him or her to help pay for your medical treatment and other damages.
How often does road debris lead to injury accidents?
The study conducted by the AAA Foundation analyzed information about debris-related car accidents that occurred between January of 2011 and December of 2014. There were more than 200,000 accidents total during this four-year period.
By averaging the numbers, they came to these annual averages:
- 50,658 police-reported accidents each year
- 9,805 injury crashes annually (over 39,000 altogether)
- 125 fatalities each year (over 500 deaths over the four-year period)
Who is liable for road debris wrecks?
The majority of road debris crashes are entirely preventable. Most stem from drivers who fail to take the proper precautions to tie down cargo or who do not maintain their vehicle regularly and experience a tire blowout or other issue.
In fact, about two-thirds of these wrecks occur because of just three causes:
- Parts of a vehicle falling onto the roadway, most commonly tires
- Unsecured cargo flying from a moving vehicle
- Towed trailers coming unhitched from the towing vehicle
If you suffer injuries in a debris-related crash caused by one of these factors, you may be able to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the driver or owner of the vehicle.
It is important to note, however, that you should first enlist the help of a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney. A lawyer can help defend against accusations that you were following too closely or driving distracted and contributed to your own injuries. This defense is essential as any negligent actions on your behalf could reduce the amount of compensation you can collect, according to Florida’s pure comparative negligence statute.
How can Montero Law Center help me after a debris-related crash?
If you suffered injuries in a Florida car accident due to debris on the roadway, the attorneys at Montero Law Center can help you recover the compensation you deserve. This may include money to cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Contact us today at 954-767-6500 to schedule a consultation at our Fort Lauderdale office. Remember that the initial consultation is free and you do not pay us a cent until we win your case for you.