It is estimated that between 2011 and 2014, road debris accidents caused more than 500 deaths and 39,000 injuries nationwide. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety analyzed data from road debris accidents and estimated that an average of 129 people die and 9,805 people are injured each year in the United States because of road debris. The current study by AAA doubles the number of accidents involving road debris from the previous study in 2004.
If you are injured in a road debris accident, it is important that you seek legal counsel as soon as possible. Claims filed against a government entity have an extremely short deadline. In many cases, you could lose your right to file a claim against the government entity responsible for your accident if you fail to act within 90 to 180 days after the accident.
Call Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm at (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to request a free consultation with a New Orleans accident attorney.
What is Considered Road Debris?
Road debris as defined in the AAA study is debris from any source that can pose a significant hazard. Examples of road debris include:
- Trees or branches in the road
- Objects that fall from vehicles
- Construction-related materials
- Animals on the road
- Debris caused by previous crashes
- Tires, hubcaps, and other car parts
Basically, road debris is anything on the road that can cause a car crash because nothing should be on the road that impedes a driver’s ability to navigate the vehicle safely. Many times, a driver runs over road debris or swerves to avoid the debris and loses control of the vehicle. It is a natural instinct to swerve to miss hitting debris. However, swerving to miss the road debris can result in a crash just as if you had hit the debris and crashed.
Injuries Sustained in a Road Debris Accident
The injuries sustained in an accident can range from minor to traumatic. Common injuries in a car accident include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Burns, scarring, and disfigurement
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Head injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Back and neck injuries
- Damage to internal organs and internal bleeding
The costs associated with an accident can be substantial. In addition to reimbursement for your lost wages, property damage, and medical bills, you may be entitled to compensation for your physical pain, anxiety, and emotional stress. The amount of your damages could easily reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
As discussed above, your claim may be against the government entity (i.e. state, city, or parish) responsible for maintaining the road. If this is the case, you may have only months to file your claim. To protect your rights, it is best to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Call our New Orleans Accident Attorney For Help
Call Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm at (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 for a free consultation with a New Orleans accident attorney. We will help you protect your legal right to a fair and just settlement of your accident claim.