When you’re driving down the highway, the last thing you expect is for debris to come flying toward your car. Yet every year, thousands of crashes are caused by objects falling from other vehicles from truck cargo to items tied to car roofs.
If debris falls from another vehicle, it could mean the driver who failed to secure their load is legally at fault.
When Drivers Are Responsible for Debris
Every driver on the road whether operating a commercial truck or a personal vehicle has a duty of care to ensure their cargo is properly secured. Failing to do so can have devastating consequences.
For example:
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A truck driver who doesn’t properly secure cargo in the bed of their truck can be held responsible if something falls off and causes an accident.
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A driver who ties furniture, tools, or other items to the roof of their car and fails to secure them may also be liable if that unsecured debris leads to an injury or property damage.
Negligence doesn’t always look like speeding or texting while driving — sometimes it’s as simple as not taking the time to secure a load.
You May Still Have a Claim
If you’ve been injured because of road debris, you may still have a personal injury claim, even if you didn’t directly collide with the vehicle that dropped it.
In many cases, the negligent driver’s actions are the root cause of your accident and you may be entitled to compensation for:
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Medical expenses
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Vehicle repairs or replacement
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Lost wages
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Pain and suffering
Getting injured by debris doesn’t automatically make you at fault. In fact, holding the responsible party accountable can help prevent future accidents and protect others on the road.
What To Do After a Debris-Related Accident
If you’re involved in an accident caused by debris on the road, take these important steps:
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Get to safety and call 911 if anyone is injured.
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Document the scene — take photos or videos of the debris, your vehicle, and the surroundings.
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Identify witnesses or check for nearby cameras that might have captured which vehicle the debris came from.
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Report the incident to law enforcement and your insurance company.
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Contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can investigate the cause and hold the negligent driver accountable.
How Sadaka Law Can Help
At Sadaka Law, we help accident victims uncover the truth behind what caused their crash and fight for the justice and compensation they deserve.
If debris on the highway caused your injury, you shouldn’t have to face the consequences of someone else’s negligence. Our legal team is here to guide you from devastation to recovery, so you can focus on healing while we handle the rest.
