Road hazards and debris, such as falling objects, loose cargo, potholes, uneven pavement, construction zones, and tire blowouts, can appear suddenly, leaving drivers with little or no time to react.
When flying debris hits a car, the sudden jolt, loud impact, or shattering glass can trigger panic, fear, and confusion. It can also trigger a serious car accident.
You could have legal options for pursuing compensation for your serious injuries and related losses in the crash if someone else’s negligence was responsible for the hazard.
At Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., our road hazard car accident lawyers provide trusted legal representation for people hurt in accidents caused by roadway hazards. Contact us for a free consultation and dependable guidance after a road hazard or debris car accident in Huntsville.
What Counts as a Road Hazard or Debris Accident in Alabama?
A road hazard accident happens when a driver encounters an unexpected, dangerous condition on the roadway that causes them to crash into a fixed object, collide with another vehicle, or lose vehicle control when swerving to avoid debris.
Some examples of the various types of road hazards include:
- Construction-related hazards – Construction companies often create dangers when they leave equipment, gravel, or misplaced cones in active lanes, creating unexpected obstacles for motorists.
- Debris from other vehicles – Drivers and commercial carriers create road hazards when they fail to secure their cargo, allowing items like tools, construction materials, or boxes to fall into traffic. Treads from poorly maintained truck tires are also a hazard. All these objects can strike other vehicles or cause drivers to swerve and crash.
- Roadway defects – Governmental agencies and contractors may contribute to increased accident risks when they allow potholes, broken pavement, uneven road surfaces, missing guardrails, or faded lane markings to remain on the road.
- Poor road maintenance – Maintenance providers increase roadway danger when they ignore known issues like standing water, worn pavement, damaged signs, or inadequate lighting.
- Hazardous substances or road surface contamination – Trucking companies, construction crews, and other parties can create hazards when they leave oil, chemicals, mud, or loose gravel on the roadway.
Who May Be Liable for a Road Hazard Accident in Huntsville?
Establishing liability in a road debris or road hazard accident can be challenging because several parties may share fault, including:
- Other motorists – Other drivers create hazards when they leave objects unsecured or fail to maintain their vehicles.
- Commercial vehicle operators – Truck and delivery vehicle operators must secure cargo properly, and failing to do so can result in dangerous debris on the roadway.
- Construction contractors or companies – Contractors placing materials, equipment, and barriers on or near roads and leaving them improperly marked or unsecured can lead directly to accidents.
- Vehicle maintenance providers – Mechanics or maintenance teams who perform poor road maintenance or fail to detect defects may contribute to tire blowouts, falling parts, or other road hazards.
- Government entities – Cities, counties, and state agencies maintain roads, and neglecting repairs, signage, or hazard removal can create unsafe conditions that cause crashes.
How to Prove Liability in a Road Hazard or Debris Crash
Demonstrating liability in a road hazard or debris accident requires clear evidence. Key steps include documenting the scene with photos or videos, collecting witness statements, and preserving dashcam or surveillance footage. Gathering records from commercial vehicles, construction sites, or government maintenance schedules can also reveal negligence.
Our car accident attorneys are ready to thoroughly investigate the crash that injured you to secure evidence of negligence. After analyzing the evidence, we can build a strong claim for compensation from all liable parties and their insurance companies.
What to Do After a Road Hazard or Debris Accident
Handling a road hazard or debris accident carefully from the beginning can protect your safety and preserve your potential claim.
- Seek medical attention. Get medical care after the accident, even if you feel fine at first. Road hazard accidents can cause injuries like concussions, soft tissue injuries, back and neck injuries, and whiplash.
- Leave debris alone. Unless the hazard or debris is preventing a safe exit from your vehicle, leave it where it is. Moving debris can put you at risk, interfere with evidence, and make it harder to prove the hazard’s location.
- Take photos and videos. Documenting the scene is one of the most important steps. Photograph the hazard or debris, collision points, vehicle damage, injuries, the surrounding environment, and road signs.
- Preserve videos. If you or a witness has dashcam footage, save it immediately. Nearby businesses, commercial vehicles, or homes may also have cameras that captured the hazard before or during the accident.
- Report the hazard. Call law enforcement to report the hazard, if they are not already on the scene. Reporting the hazard builds a paper trail demonstrating that it existed, and it could establish or connect to prior complaints or maintenance failures, depending on the circumstances.
- Do not talk to insurers. Insurance companies, especially those representing contractors, trucking companies, or government entities, may try to shift blame, minimize your claim, or pressure you into accepting a quick, lowball offer to settle as quickly as possible. Politely decline to give any recorded statement until you have spoken to a road hazard collision lawyer at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C.
- Contact a road hazard car accident lawyer. Getting prompt legal representation for a road hazard claim is critical, as our experienced Huntsville car accident attorneys can secure evidence before it is lost, identify liable parties, and fight for fair compensation for your losses.
What Compensation Can You Recover for Losses in a Road Hazard Crash?
You can seek compensation for all losses caused by the accident, including:
- Medical expenses – You can seek compensation to cover all medical bills related to the crash, including emergency treatment, surgical costs, prescriptions, and long-term therapies.
- Lost wages – Your claim should include lost income resulting from time away from work recovering from injuries, including time missed for attending medical appointments.
- Loss of future earning potential – Permanent or severe injuries may reduce your ability to earn a living. You can pursue compensation to account for missed career opportunities.
- Pain and suffering – Seeking compensation for pain and suffering addresses both the physical discomfort and emotional anxiety or stress resulting from the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – Your compensation should also reflect the ways the accident prevents you from participating in hobbies or daily routines.
Why Choose Our Firm for a Road Hazard Accident Claim in Huntsville?
Recovering from an accident can feel isolating, but the experienced Huntsville car accident attorneys at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., are here to stand with you at every step. We can investigate the accident, identify all liable parties, and tirelessly argue for the compensation you need from every available source.
We have secured over $168 million for our clients in verdicts and settlements, including a $5 million settlement for a client who suffered a permanent injury in a car accident.
Review some of our many positive client testimonials to find out more about what it is like to have our attorneys on your side. For example, one of our satisfied clients wrote:
“So very thankful and grateful for Mr. Hodge and his team, they are truly wonderful people who really care. Highly recommend them if you’re in need of a personal injury lawyer.”—A. Webster on Google Reviews
Our road hazard collision lawyers handle every aspect of your claim. We are devoted to protecting your health and increasing your potential payout to support your recovery. You pay us nothing unless we win. Contact us today to set up a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney at our law firm.
