Personal Injuries From Falling Debris Truck Accidents

Steps to Take After a Falling Debris Truck Accident

When debris or objects fall from a truck while the truck is on the road, it may seem minor, but it can cause major damage to not only other vehicles but to people as well.

What Kind of Debris Falls From Trucks?

Trucks travel to destinations carrying cargo including furniture, car parts, lumber, household groceries, animals, and even toxic waste materials. Sometimes, a passing truck may kick up small stones as it passes by, and those stones may crack your windshield. However, larger accidents like oil spills can force you to swerve your car, resulting in an accident. You may also experience lumber or concrete falling on your vehicle, resulting in a major injury or even death. A study conducted by AAA found that there were 40,000 injuries and 500 deaths between 2011 and 2014 that were caused by falling debris from trucks, and the most common reason why debris falls from trucks is that the objects have not been properly secured.

Pain Caused by Falling Debris Truck Accidents

Trying to avoid falling debris truck accidents by being cautious around trucks is the best way to prevent them from happening. However, sometimes these accidents are simply unavoidable. If you try to swerve away from the falling object, you could collide with other vehicles. If you don't swerve, the falling object could hit your vehicle. When you suffer an injury, it may be minor or it may last for months, leaving you unable to work. Getting financial compensation for days missed is important. If your injury is short-term, you may be able to resume your day-to-day life without any hiccups. However, you may have to contend with long-term injuries, such as broken ribs, neck injuries, back injuries, concussions, paralysis, or even brain injuries. These kinds of injuries can alter your life permanently. Besides the constant physical pain, you could have medical bills that may be overwhelming, and you may have lost income and reduced earning capacity.

Who Is Responsible?

When debris falls from a truck, finding out who is responsible can become complicated. It could be the person who failed to secure the load properly. It's possible that the truck was overloaded or poorly loaded. On the other hand, the truck driver could be responsible. The cargo could have fallen off the truck because of a defect in one of the truck's systems or because the truck wasn't adequately maintained. When you have an injury from a falling truck debris accident, an Allentown personal injury attorney may be able to help you receive financial compensation. If you crashed into the debris that fell off a truck, the truck's insurance company may try to avoid paying. That's why it could benefit you to contact an attorney who has experience with trucking accidents. It is extremely complicated to determine who is at fault for trucking accidents. For example, in the case of a jackknife accident — where the front of the truck goes in one direction while the back goes in another direction — people often immediately blame the driver, and the same is true of truck rollover accidents. However, this isn't always true as sometimes truck drivers swerve to avoid hazards in the road that should have been cleared by highway transportation personnel. For spills and falling debris, the trucking company may point the blame at those who loaded the truck or the company who manufactured it, so there is rarely an easy answer.

Seeking Compensation

When you suffer vehicle damage or personal injury as a result of this type of a truck accident, it's important that you avoid trying to get compensation on your own. Accidents caused by commercial trucks can be devastating, and the truck company involved may refuse to take responsibility. At Metzger & Kleiner, our personal injury attorneys are here to help. We may be able to help you seek financial compensation for lost wages, medical bills, or an inability to work in the future. If you would like to discuss your case with an Allentown personal injury attorney, give us a call from the Lehigh Valley at 610-435-7400 or from Philadelphia at 215-567-6616. You can also contact Metzger & Kleiner using our secure online form to learn more.