The Dangers of Road Debris and Car Accidents
Unexpected debris on the road can cause even the best drivers to have an accident. When an accident occurs as a result of someone negligently leaving debris on the road, it may be possible to seek compensation for injuries and other damages. An auto accident attorney can help.
At Chanfrau & Chanfrau, our attorneys help those who have been injured in a car accident caused by road debris in Daytona Beach, FL, Palm Coast, FL, and nearby areas recover compensation for their injuries and help hold responsible parties liable for their negligence.
What Is Road Debris?
Road debris is considered any type of object left on the road, whether accidentally or on purpose. Although anything can constitute road debris, some items are more commonly encountered when driving, such as:
- Tires and tire parts
- Traffic cones
- Car bumpers, hubcaps, and other loose car parts
- Fallen light poles or road signs
- Large rocks or boulders
- Fallen trees or branches
- Broken glass
- Furniture
- Cardboard
- Nails, screws, and other metal pieces
- Deceased animals
- Sand or mud
How Does Road Debris Cause Accidents?
Road debris can be hazardous to drivers, potentially causing them to slam on their brakes, swerve into another vehicle, or lose control of their own vehicle.
Road debris in areas where vehicles drive at high speeds, such as freeways, is particularly hazardous because vehicles may be driving too fast to safely maneuver around the debris, increasing the risk of an accident.
Additionally, road debris can cause drivers to react in unexpected ways, leaving other drivers caught off guard and potentially causing an accident.
Who Is Liable for Accidents Caused by Road Debris?
Road debris in Daytona Beach is often caused by natural disasters, objects falling from vehicles, or materials left behind by construction or landscaping companies.
Liability for accidents caused by road debris depends on whether the debris was caused by negligence or recklessness. For example, a construction company may be at fault for a road debris accident if one or more of their workers have left materials on the road.
Another possible scenario would be a fallen tree branch not being cleared by the party responsible for maintaining the road after being made aware of the debris. This could be a property owner or a government agency.
Finally, other drivers may be liable for an accident caused by debris if they failed to properly secure objects within their vehicle or deliberately threw something on the road.
Seeking Compensation for Damages
Seeking compensation for injuries and other damages in accidents caused by road debris requires being able to show that a particular party negligently or recklessly left debris on the road, which in turn caused the accident.
A car accident attorney can help gather evidence to demonstrate negligence and help accident victims recover compensation for their injuries and other damages such as:
- Hospital expenses
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Contact the Attorneys of Chanfrau & Chanfrau
If you have been injured in an accident caused by road debris, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other damages. To discuss the details of your claim, please call our Daytona Beach office at (386) 258-7313 or contact us online.