Perhaps you were running when, all of a sudden, you were struck by an object that fell off the back of another person’s vehicle. Maybe you ran over something sharp that was lying on the side of the road, puncturing your foot. No matter the circumstances, debris scattered on a roadway where it does not belong can be dangerous to drivers and pedestrians alike. As a runner, you may wonder how you can financially recover after you have been hurt due to road debris.
Maison Law offers representation to all victims of California pedestrian accidents leading to injuries. We understand how overwhelming it can be to face physical injuries caused by an accident, wondering how you are going to afford to pay the medical bills and other expenses related to your accident. Our lawyers are here to help you navigate the legal system and hold all responsible parties liable for their negligent actions. Please contact us today for a free case consultation so that you can get back on your feet.
Types of Debris Affecting Runners on California Roads
Road debris is any type of object that is not supposed to be on the road, which come from many different sources. Types of road debris that are most common on our roads include tires that fall from the back of trucks, cardboard boxes, mattresses, tree limbs, and more. There are two types of road debris:
Avoidable: This type of road debris is anything that could have been avoided if the pedestrian was focused on the road before them. It is considered avoidable if a pedestrian strikes it because they were not paying attention while running.
Unavoidable: Unavoidable road debris is typically what causes pedestrian and other personal injury claims after an accident. This type of debris is not avoidable even if a pedestrian was paying full attention to the road while they were running, such as when debris flies off the back of a vehicle and strikes them.
Between 2011 and 2014, statistics from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimated that more than 500 people were killed by road debris and another 39,000 sustained injuries. Road debris is a serious matter that leads to traumatic results, which is why runners should always be aware of this possible danger when running along or on the road.
Who is Responsible When a Runner is Struck by Road Debris?
When a runner is involved in an accident due to road debris, there could be many parties at fault for the resulting injuries. These include any of the following:
A Driver: Did you physically see a piece of debris fly off the back of a vehicle before you were struck and injured? Sometimes, the driver of a vehicle can be held personally liable for an accident involving road debris if you were struck by it or it was left on the road for you to run into. It is not always easy to identify the driver that left behind road debris unless the accident just happened. Sometimes a driver can be identified by witnesses as well.
In other cases, the driver of a vehicle may swerve to miss road debris and run into a pedestrian who is running alongside the road. The driver who initially dropped the debris or the driver who swerved could both be held liable depending on the circumstances of the collision.
A Construction Company: If a construction company did not place traffic cones or warning signs in an area where debris could be present, they could be liable for your injuries if you were hurt while running.
The Government: If a government entity is responsible for keeping a particular stretch of roadway clear of debris and you have been injured from it, you may have a government claim. Bringing a claim against the government is not always easy to do, which is why it is beneficial to have legal help on your side.
Damages Available if You Were Injured in a Road Debris Accident While Running
Now that you know what parties you could bring a personal injury claim against, you may have questions concerning what damages are available for you. You may be eligible to receive various economic or non-economic damages, which include any of the following:
- Medical bills that you have sustained
- Medical expenses that you expect to incur in the future
- Lost income or future loss of earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages if you have lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident
No matter what led up to your accident, any type of pedestrian accident that takes place is capable of causing catastrophic harm to a victim. As a runner who was injured due to another party’s negligence, you have many rights and options under California law.
Contact a California Runner Injury Lawyer Today
If you are a runner who was injured due to road debris caused by another party, it is important to know that you have a right to financial recovery. At Maison Law, we believe that speaking with a California runner injury lawyer can ensure that your rights are being protected as you deal with the stressful and complex legal system. We want to help you get working on support as soon as possible after your accident. Please contact us today for a consultation that is completely free to you.
