Fallen debris in the road can be very dangerous to Kentucky drivers. Many cases of road debris collision actually occur because of loads that fall from other vehicles. These kinds of accidents can cause major damage to vehicles and also result in personal injury and death. Since hundreds of thousands of road debris-related accidents have been documented, it is important for any driver to be alert for dangerous road debris.
According to Forbes, a research study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety discovered that 200,000 crashes occurred between 2011 and 2014 due to road debris, with two-thirds of these accidents caused by debris that fell from a vehicle. These falling loads usually consist of items like appliances or furniture, or automobile parts such as wheels that detach from their parent vehicle during driving. Sometimes tow trailers snap off from their parent vehicle.
Another component of road debris-related crashes is the sudden decision a driver is forced into when confronted by debris. If a piece of furniture unloads onto the road in front of a car, the driver may have only seconds to act. Unfortunately, the AAA study found that drivers may overcorrect and lose control over the car. These kinds of dangerous swerves were found to result in 37 percent of deaths related to road debris.
Drivers can minimize the risks of hitting road debris by not tailgating another vehicle. However, the prime responsibility of maintaining cargo in a vehicle rests with the driver of that vehicle, and also the company that oversees the loading and transportation of the cargo is a business is involved. Loads should be properly secured, loose items should be bound to the vehicle or place in an enclosed spot, and vehicles should be maintained so that trailers do not dislodge during driving.
In the event you were struck by road debris, you may be entitled to compensation by the negligent party. There are many factors that can result in cargo and debris being scattered on a road. For this reason, do not consider this article as a substitute for the counsel of a professional personal injury attorney. It is only intended as general information on this subject.