Who’s responsible for road debris accidents?

If another car hits your vehicle in Illinois, it’s usually not hard to figure out who was responsible for the accident. However, if road debris hits your vehicle, liability can be more difficult to determine. Are other drivers responsible for accidents caused by road debris?

Can you take someone to court after a road debris accident?

Ultimately, it depends on the type of debris that hit your vehicle. If someone’s car hit a rock that smacked your vehicle, you might not be able to file a claim. It’s virtually impossible to prevent these types of car accidents because you can’t avoid every rock and pebble on the road.

However, you might want to call an attorney if debris fell off another person’s vehicle, causing an accident. This could include loose cargo, lumber, gravel and barrels falling off the back of a truck. It also includes parts of the vehicle, like a spare tire falling off a vehicle and hitting someone else’s car.

Other drivers aren’t responsible for road debris like rocks and pebbles, but they are responsible for looking after their vehicle and securing their cargo before they get on the road. If debris from another person’s vehicle hits your car, you could potentially file a claim with their insurance company.

How do you know if you can file an insurance claim?

If you’re not sure if you can file a claim or not, talk to an attorney first. They could help you determine liability and figure out whether the other driver was responsible for the accident. You might need to review evidence and talk to witnesses to determine that the other driver was at fault. If they were, your attorney could help you file a claim with their insurance company and receive a payout.