Road debris can cause serious injury and damage at Interstate Highway speeds.
I-35 Sign Falls, Causes Accident
According to a KSAT News report, a sign on I-35 North fell into the roadway, causing a driver to strike it and shutting down traffic this morning.
Police reported that the sign was struck by a passing truck, causing it to collapse on the Interstate. A driver was unable to avoid the sign and collided with it near the Salado Creek exit, but there is no word if the driver was injured as a result. The Interstate reopened at around 11:18 a.m. on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.
Did You Know?
Debris-related crashes are 4 times more likely to occur on Interstate Highways, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
Road-Debris Accidents in Texas
Road debris can come in many shapes and sizes and from multiple sources. Unfortunately, these accidents can be incredibly dangerous – thousands of drivers are injured, and hundreds more are killed in road-debris accidents every year in Texas and across the United States.
How Does Debris Get in the Road?
Have you ever been driving down the highway and wondered, “Why is there a couch on the road?”
The most common reasons for road debris are:
- Fallen cargo – Commercial trucks and passenger vehicles dropping cargo is the most common reason for road debris.
- Old Vehicles – Rusty and worn down vehicles can drop parts on the road or blow a tire, creating hazards for other drivers.
- Construction – Large rocks, logs, road signs, and other construction site paraphernalia (which San Antonio has been experiencing a lot of lately) can fall into the roadway.
- Broken Traffic Signals – Blown down by extreme weather or struck by commercial vehicles, as in the above case.
How Does Road Debris Cause Accidents?
About two-thirds of all debris-related accidents are the result of falling cargo or motor vehicle parts onto oncoming traffic. The most prevalent time that road-debris accidents happen is the hours of 10 a.m. to about 4 p.m., the hours that most people transport items like furniture and construction site equipment on Interstates.
Also, a study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that almost 40% of deaths caused by road debris were because the driver swerved to avoid hitting the debris and got into an accident.
Damage Caused by Road Debris
Road debris can cause serious damage to motor vehicles. Damage to motor vehicles includes:
- Popped Tires
- Broken or Cracked Windshields
- Bent, Twisted, or Cracked Frames
- Alignment Issues
- Deployed Airbags
- Electrical System Damage
Oftentimes, drivers will swerve or brake suddenly to avoid debris. This can result in serious auto accidents like:
- Side-impact collisions
- Single-vehicle accidents (i.e., hitting the guardrail, a tree, a street light, etc.)
- Rear-end collisions
- Multi-vehicle accidents (Intersate Pile-ups)
Drivers can also be seriously injured due to road debris accidents. Common injuries include:
- Facial fractures and bruising from deployed airbags
- Broken bones
- Pedestrian death/injury from out-of-control drivers
- Traumatic injuries from large objects through windshields
- Cuts and scrapes from broken glass.
If you were injured or your vehicle was damaged in a road debris accident, TALK TO AN ATTORNEY ASAP.
Hire Carabin Shaw Auto Accident Attorneys
Determining liability can be incredibly difficult in road debris accidents. If you were seriously injured or your vehicle was damaged in an auto accident involving road debris, a Carabin Shaw auto accident attorney can work with you to determine the best options available to you. Contact 800-862-1260 or use the live chat feature at the bottom right of your screen to get your case evaluated by an attorney today. We look forward to serving you.