Road debris accidents

People often blame car accidents on distracted or negligent drivers who make poor decisions that end up causing a collision, but the reality is that accidents can be caused by a wide variety of reasons. In fact, road debris is a leading cause — particularly in Colorado where rock slides on mountain roads can leave unexpected debris around every blind curve or on the other side of every tunnel.  

Drivers who encounter road debris often don't have the time or space to avoid a collision, and these accidents can be quite serious. This post, we’ll discuss road debris accidents and some things you need to know.

Common Types Of Accidents Caused By Road Debris

According to The Balance, there are three different types of accidents that are commonly caused by road debris:

• An accident caused by an object in the road — The highways in Denver wind through the city and into the mountains, which means that drivers often don't have time to react when they encounter an object laying in the roadway. From potholes that form throughout the springtime to unexpected litter and even rock debris from mountain slides, there are many objects that can cause accidents in the roadways. Unfortunately, most insurance carriers are going to consider this type of accident to be an at-fault accident that the driver could have avoided. Drivers who are injured in an accident caused by an object in the road should partner with a qualified personal injury attorney who will advocate for them to make sure that they get the compensation they need.
• An accident caused by flying debris — Flying debris on the roadways often leads to accidents, as the impact of this debris is both unexpected and startling. A driver's reaction can lead to a collision with another vehicle, or the impact itself can do damage to the vehicle. Flying debris includes objects that come lose from trucks, rocks and stones that kick-up from the highway, and rocks that may be sliding down from the mountainside. Insurance carriers do not consider accidents that are caused by flying debris to be avoidable, and therefore coverage is often better for these accidents.
• An accident resulting from swerving to avoid debris — A driver who encounters debris in the roadway may swerve to avoid the object, which is a natural and understandable reaction. However, this reaction can often cause a more serious accident then if the driver hit the object head-on. In the event that the driver who swerves causes an accident that results in an injury, they would be considered at-fault in the accident.
• Accidents caused by road construction materials and equipment — Road crews are mandated to keep their equipment and materials well away from the lanes of traffic set up in construction areas. However, it is not uncommon for cones, barrels and other materials to get pushed into the lane of traffic. Depending upon the circumstances, drivers injured because of negligence on the part of a road construction crew may sue for damages.
• Truck blow outs — 18-wheeler semi-trailers are prone to tire blowouts at highway speeds. The rubber can shred and drop debris for hundreds of yards before the trucker can pull off the road safely. If the debris causes other vehicles to crash, the truck company may be held liable for negligence.

What Should You Do if You are Injured in an Accident Caused by Road Debris?

Road debris can cause minor accidents that involve only one vehicle, or major collisions that involve two, three, four or more cars. Sometimes, people are able to walk away from these accidents unharmed. Sadly, there are many times when these accidents lead to injuries or fatalities. 

It's important to partner with an experienced attorney in Colorado who understands the state's personal injury laws and how they apply to these specific types of accidents. A qualified personal injury attorney will advocate for you and work to make sure that you get the compensation you need to fully recover from your injury. Your compensation package should cover your health care costs, lost wages and any detrimental impact to your quality of life.