No matter where you live, flying debris can be a shocking experience if it hits your car. Formed by the relentless cycle of weather, water, and road wear, flying debris can not only make driving challenging but also damage your vehicle and cause a serious accident. But when your car is damaged by flying debris, who pays to fix it? Understanding how to repair your vehicle from flying debris damage is key to keeping your commute safe and stress-free.
Flying Debris: Where Does It Come From?
It’s happened to the best of us. You’re driving your usual route, and all of a sudden, a piece of debris hits your car, startling you. Unfortunately, accidents occurring from flying debris are more common than you might imagine. These incidents generally involve objects that aren’t meant to be on a roadway. This can range from litter, unsecured loads, truck debris, and hubcaps to fallen trees, loose tires, and construction barriers. In significant situations, road debris can smash through windshields or create obstacles. As a result, this can pose unexpected hazards for drivers when it hits their vehicle.
Unfortunately, this happens more than you think. A recent example in eastern Ontario occurred in September, when a 71-year-old man was charged after garbage from his pickup truck flew onto a busy highway, damaging vehicles. According to the Ontario Provincial Police, they responded to a report that garbage was flying off a truck travelling on Highway 7 near Arden Road in Central Frotenac.
“One driver reported that debris had caused significant damage to their vehicle, with another driver reporting minor damage,” the OPP said in a media release. Officers located the truck, which had already been pulled over.
Another recent example is a massive storm that hit Ontario last Spring. The aftermath prompted police to urge people to stay off the roads to clear debris and downed power lines throughout Ontario properly.
Vehicle Debris
Figuring out exactly where flying debris comes from is crucial to avoiding accidents. One of the leading causes is improper road maintenance, as well as vehicles carrying insecure loads. On top of this, vehicle parts detaching and trailers separating are among the most common types of vehicle debris.
Natural Debris
Flying debris isn’t always from vehicles. Natural occurrences can also cause dangerous flying debris, including falling tree limbs, and environmental conditions such as high winds. On top of this, the accumulation of ice and snow on vehicles can cause them to fly off the roof, hitting the vehicle behind them. Understanding the importance of securing loads to your car and maintaining your vehicle in weather conditions is critical to ensuring you and those around you stay safe.
Flying Debris: What Are The Consequences?
In some cases, flying debris can cause a shock or be a simple annoyance, especially when it’s fluffy snow. However, in some cases, flying debris can have more dire consequences. These include:
- Property Damage
- Personal Injury
- Vehicle Damage
- Road Hazards
For example, a 20-pound unsecured object flying off a moving vehicle at 55 miles per hour can cause severe damage and injury when it hits your car with a g-force of 1,000 pounds.
How Is Liability Determined in Flying Debris Claims?
Establishing responsibility in flying debris accidents or damage can be complicated. The party responsible for the damage may be the driver who failed to secure their cargo, or the person in charge of road upkeep. In most cases, liability is established when a party’s failure to exercise the expected level of care results in damages or injury.
Though drivers are frequently held responsible for accidents caused by road debris, the precise accountability is determined by the circumstances of the accident. Like many cases, liability is unfortunately not straightforward, and each case can present unique challenges.
Negligent Drivers
Generally, drivers are obligated to secure their loads. Failure to do so can lead to them being held liable if an accident occurs. Regular checks on cargo and loads are part of a driver’s duty. Neglecting this can result in serious consequences in the event of an accident. This can lead to severe, life-altering injuries, so understanding how much load you can take is critical.
What if a truck driver breaches load securement regulations and causes an accident? Well, both the driver and their company may be held liable for the damage or injuries.
Construction Companies and Road Maintenance
In some cases, liability for flying debris may extend beyond a single driver. For example, construction companies are obligated to manage their worksites. This involves ensuring materials don’t spill onto roadways and contribute to accidents.
On the same note, government agencies are held responsible for maintaining roadways. This includes clearing debris to mitigate risks. Poor maintenance, such as failing to repair a crumbling surface or properly clean it, can expose the government to potential liability.
Other Common Causes of Vehicle Damage
Unfortunately, flying debris isn’t the only way your car can be damaged on the road. Over the last few years, floods have become extremely common across Canada. Most notably, storms across the Greater Toronto Area have caused significant flooding in recent years.
- Flooding can create both short and long-term damage to your cars. They cause havoc with the engine and its electrical parts, corrode the undercarriage, and spread unsafe mould in your interior. Luckily, similar to flying debris, your comprehensive insurance policy will likely cover you for any flooding damage.
- Another way your car may be damaged is due to potholes. When your vehicle is damaged due to a pothole, your auto insurance will cover it in the event you have collision or all-perils coverage.
Collision insurance, for example, will help you cover the cost of any damage to your vehicle if it is in an accident due to hitting another car. Additionally, it will typically cover collisions with objects, such as a pole, a curb, or, you guessed it, a pothole! On the other hand, all-perils coverage acts as the name implies. It will cover you for most damages or losses, except those specifically excluded in your policy.
Flying Debris: Is Collision and Comprehensive Insurance Worth It?
In most cases, collision and comprehensive insurance is coverage that most drivers are recommended to have. This way, they don’t have to pay for any damage out of pocket in the event of any of these scenarios, which can get expensive.
If a claim is made on your policy in the event an object is struck, it will be a collision claim. This means it will be deemed “at-fault” by your insurance company. When this occurs, this claim will stay on your record for roughly six years. On top of this, your rates may increase when it’s time to renew. On the other hand, if you’re driving and an item flies into your car, that would be considered an acceptable comprehensive claim.
Whether you’re a new driver or more experienced, it is essential to have the right insurance to remain covered. Contact us or request a quote below today!
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