What Are the Risks of Debris on the Road?

Each year, more than 10,000 people are injured in accidents caused by road debris. About 100 die.

The debris could be lying in the middle of the lane or could come flying toward vehicles without warning. It could be a chunk of rubber or steel, a huge pipe, or even machinery. Many of these debris-induced accidents share a common factor: a big rig.

Large trucks, like semis or dump trucks, can send debris into the roadway if they are improperly loaded or poorly maintained. You’ve probably noticed these obstacles in the road before.

Accidents Caused by Debris in the Road

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released a report in 2016 on motor vehicle crashes involving road debris. This is the most recent report of its kind. It examined data collected across the United States from 2011 to 2014.

It revealed that, each year, road debris was a factor in:

  • More than 50,000 police-reported crashes
  • Nearly 10,000 injuries
  • 125 deaths

These crashes are four times as likely to occur on interstate highways than on other roads. Many of them — 37%, according to the report — occurred because the driver swerved to avoid striking debris.

There are several ways debris causes wrecks. Items flying from a truck or trailer can shatter a car’s windshield. Larger pieces of cargo can fall off the trailer and block a lane. Liquid loads can spill and make the roads slick. Tractor-trailer tires can blow out and send pieces in every direction.

Semi-Truck Tire Blowouts

Tire blowouts are one source of road debris. Any vehicle can experience tire blowout, but it is most common among large trucks. If you’ve ever been driving on the interstate and seen a huge, black chunk of rubber, it was probably a piece of semi-truck tire.

There are various causes:

  • Overloading or improper loading can add too much weight to a semi’s tires or balance the weight unevenly across the trailer.
  • Under- or over-inflation can accelerate tires’ wear and tear.
  • Speeding can exceed tires’ speed rating and cause disfunction.
  • Road quality becomes an issue when trucks drive over potholes or sharp objects.
  • Heat increases the likelihood of blowout, so hot roads in summer can be risky.

Other factors are tire age and manufacturing defects. Some of these problems can be avoided with preparation and maintenance, but some are inevitable. So, it is important that drivers know what to do if/when a blowout occurs.

Reacting to Tire Blowout

About 78,000 wrecks each year result from wrecks involving tire blowout, according to NHTSA. Although blowouts aren’t always avoidable, many of these disastrous wrecks are.

What matters most is how truckers and the surrounding passenger vehicle drivers react to a blowout.

When a tire suddenly loses pressure and explodes, it can jolt the truck and trailer. Drivers experience a loss of control, but they must stay calm and do what they can to operate their trucks safely.

Many drivers would automatically react by hitting the brakes. This is a mistake. Truckers should allow their rigs to slow down gradually as they find a safe spot to pull over. By steering straight, easing off the accelerator and avoiding the brakes, commercial vehicle drivers should maintain control of their trucks.

Even if they do the right thing, other cars can be harmed by the blowout. Passenger vehicle drivers should look out for chunks of rubber or steel flying across the interstate after a truck tire blows out. These can hit a car’s windshield or land in the road in front of it.

Like trucks, passenger cars should avoid jerking the wheel and swerving into another lane. Generally, keeping a safe distance behind other vehicles gives drivers enough reaction time to slow down or get over if debris lands in the lane.

Who Is Liable in a Debris Crash?

Liability in these crashes depends on the type of debris, how and why it fell, and what damage it caused.

In a wreck where cargo fell off a trailer, the truck driver might be responsible for failing to properly secure his load. If the truck itself is poorly maintained and has mechanical issues, the trucking company may be liable for putting unsafe trucks on the road. It’s also possible that the tires themselves were defective, which can lead back to manufacturers.

Cargo Falling From a Trailer Can Be Deadly

Large or small, debris in the road can cause catastrophic wrecks. A recent tragedy illustrates this.

In August 2024, a semi-truck on an interstate in Colorado had a rollover crash. Its load — about 100 pipes weighing 500 pounds each — spilled into the roadway and across other lanes. News stories reported that at least seven vehicles crashed as a result.

One of these vehicles was carrying five people. Three of them died, and two were taken to the hospital.

In an accident like this, it is difficult, if not impossible, for drivers to avoid the obstacles in the road. Could the semi-truck driver, his employer, or whoever loaded the pipes have done something differently to prevent this? In many situations like this one, the answer is yes.

Final thoughts

Serious bodily injury, even death, can result from a wreck caused by debris in the road. No matter how small, obstructions should be taken seriously. They can reduce visibility, cause traffic jams, lead to hydroplaning, and more.

For vehicles like dump trucks, covering the load can prevent loose debris from flying toward following vehicles. For larger trucks, like tractor-trailers, it is necessary to properly secure cargo.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires truckers to use tiedowns to secure their loads. It also instructs them to use chocks, wedges or a cradle to prevent items from rolling, and has special rules for items like logs, metal coils, automobiles, boulders, and more.

Victims of serious wrecks caused by lost cargo, tire blowouts or other forms of road debris must reach out to qualified attorneys. Lawyers at Craig, Kelley & Faultless are experienced in truck-wreck law and can help you recover from tragedy.

Reach Out to Us Today at (800) 746-0226 or With Our Online Form

David W. Craig sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (which requires the board certification in truck accident law). He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families, written to help people navigate a terrible situation by answering questions that come after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow Indiana law safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.

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david craig

David Craig is the managing partner as well as one of the founding partners of the law firm of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. Since he began practicing law more than 26 years ago, he has been fighting to obtain justice for ordinary people against insurance companies, trucking companies, large corporations and others.