Roadway Debris Accidents in Tennessee

Your Rights and Legal Options

At The Law Offices of John Day, P.C., we understand how quickly a roadway debris accident can turn an ordinary drive into a life-changing event. These types of crashes often occur without warning and leave drivers with no time to react. The resulting consequences can be devastating, both physically and financially. In the aftermath, victims are left asking difficult questions about who is responsible, how to prove it, and how to recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages.

Our legal team has offices in Brentwood, Nashville, and Murfreesboro, allowing us to serve injury clients throughout Nashville, Davidson County, and surrounding communities. Whether your accident was caused by an improperly secured load, a discarded tire in a travel lane, or a government agency’s failure to maintain safe road conditions, we are ready to fight for your rights under Tennessee law.

What Is Roadway Debris?

Roadway debris refers to any foreign object or material that should not be present on the road surface but poses a threat to motorists. Examples include unsecured cargo falling from trucks, vehicle parts such as mufflers or tires that detach in motion, leftover construction materials, discarded household items, fallen tree limbs following a storm, and tools or equipment left behind by maintenance crews.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, debris-related crashes cause approximately fifty thousand accidents each year across the United States. These crashes result in nearly ten thousand injuries and more than one hundred deaths annually. Most of these incidents are preventable, often stemming from simple negligence or disregard for basic safety procedures.

How Roadway Debris Accidents Happen

Roadway debris accidents usually happen in one of two ways. In some cases, a vehicle collides directly with an object already in the roadway. These impacts can cause tire blowouts, mechanical failures, or complete loss of control. In other cases, a driver tries to avoid hitting the object and swerves into another vehicle, off the road, or into a fixed structure. These evasive maneuvers often occur in seconds, giving the driver no time for a safe decision.

On highways and interstates, where vehicles travel at high speeds, the presence of debris dramatically increases the chance of a catastrophic crash. Limited reaction time and heavy traffic make pileups and chain-reaction collisions far more likely. In such cases, determining what happened and who is at fault can be extremely complex.

Why These Crashes Are Often Complex

The party responsible for the debris may be unknown or long gone by the time of the crash. Identifying the source, proving a connection, and documenting the hazard require swift and detailed investigation. Without prompt evidence collection, critical information may be lost forever. This makes it essential to consult a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible after a crash.

Who May Be Liable for a Debris-Related Accident?

Multiple parties could be legally responsible depending on the circumstances of the crash. Drivers who fail to secure their vehicle loads properly may be liable if their negligence caused debris to fall. Tennessee law clearly states that loads must be restrained in a way that prevents items from dropping or shifting during travel. A violation of this law may be considered negligence per se, which means the act is legally classified as negligent because it violates a specific safety statute.

In cases involving commercial vehicles, the trucking company or employer may also be held liable. Under the legal theory of respondeat superior, an employer can be held responsible for the actions of an employee who was acting within the scope of their job duties. The company may also be directly liable for negligent hiring, training, or supervision if it failed to enforce proper cargo securement practices.

Construction crews and contractors may also bear responsibility if debris was left behind following roadwork. These entities are obligated to restore the worksite to safe conditions. If a crash occurs due to their negligence, they can be held liable. These claims are particularly time-sensitive because crews often return to remove evidence quickly after an incident.

Legal Theories That May Apply

Depending on the specifics of the crash, several legal theories may apply. Traditional negligence applies when a party fails to act with reasonable care, such as a driver who fails to secure cargo. Negligence per se may apply when a party violates a safety statute such as Tennessee Code Annotated section 55-7-109, which requires load securement.

Premises liability may apply if debris comes from private property near the road or from an adjacent commercial site. Product liability may apply if the debris resulted from a defective product, such as a tire or brake component that failed due to poor design or manufacturing.

Each of these theories requires evidence, including police reports, accident scene photographs, debris analysis, eyewitness statements, dashcam footage, and sometimes expert evaluations.

What To Do After a Debris-Related Crash

If you are involved in a roadway debris accident, your first priority should be to call 911 and report the incident. Prompt reporting ensures emergency response and official documentation. Seek immediate medical evaluation, even if you feel fine. Some injuries may not appear right away.

Take photos and video of the accident scene, including the debris, damage to your vehicle, and road conditions. Collect contact information from witnesses and preserve any dashcam footage. Save any physical evidence such as broken vehicle parts or pieces of debris.

Avoid speaking with insurance representatives until you have legal counsel. Insurance companies may try to minimize your injuries or assign blame to reduce your claim. Speaking to an attorney early allows you to protect your rights and develop a strong strategy for recovery.

How The Law Offices of John Day, P.C. Can Help

Debris-related accidents demand a rapid and thorough investigation. Our team works with professional investigators, crash reconstruction experts, and roadway safety specialists to uncover the facts and identify the responsible parties. We know how quickly evidence can disappear after a crash, and we act immediately to preserve every relevant detail.

Our attorneys are experienced in both state and federal safety regulations. We have successfully pursued claims involving private individuals, trucking companies, construction contractors, and government agencies. 

If you or your loved one suffered serious injuries, we will work closely with medical experts, life care planners, and financial consultants to evaluate your damages. We consider not only the immediate medical bills but also future care costs, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and emotional hardship.

We take personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis. You will not owe us anything unless we secure compensation on your behalf.

Types of Compensation Available

If your case is successful, you may be entitled to recover a variety of damages. These include reimbursement for emergency room visits, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, and other medical expenses. You may also recover wages lost due to missed work and compensation for reduced earning potential if you are no longer able to perform your previous job.

Non-economic damages may be awarded for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving disfigurement or permanent disability, additional compensation may be appropriate. If a loved one was killed in the accident, surviving family members may be entitled to wrongful death damages, which can include funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and loss of future financial support.

In particularly egregious cases, punitive damages may be awarded. These are intended to punish wrongful conduct and deter similar behavior in the future.

Time Limits for Filing a Claim

In Tennessee, most personal injury claims must be filed within one year of the date of the accident, under Tennessee Code Annotated section 28-3-104. 

These deadlines are strict and non-negotiable. Failing to act in time may permanently bar you from recovering damages. For this reason, it is crucial to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Why Timing Matters

Time is particularly important in debris-related accidents. Evidence such as roadway debris may be cleared within hours of a crash. Witnesses may become unreachable, and surveillance footage can be erased or overwritten. The sooner a legal team can begin investigating, the greater the chance of identifying the responsible party and preserving vital evidence.

Waiting too long to act may allow the trail to go cold, making it harder to build a successful case. Acting quickly improves your chances of obtaining full compensation and holding the negligent party accountable.

Serving Victims Across Middle Tennessee

The Law Offices of John Day, P.C. proudly represents clients throughout Tennessee, including Middle Tennessee. From our offices in Brentwood, Nashville, and Murfreesboro, we serve injury victims in Davidson County, Williamson County, Rutherford County, Wilson County, and neighboring regions. Our familiarity with the region’s roads, legal processes, and court systems enables us to advocate efficiently and effectively on behalf of our clients.

Contact Us Today

If you or a family member has been injured in a roadway debris accident, do not wait to seek help. The Law Offices of John Day, P.C. is here to provide experienced, compassionate legal representation tailored to your specific circumstances. We will take the time to understand your situation, answer your questions, and guide you through every step of the legal process.

Call us today at 615-742-4880 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Let our team help you navigate the road to recovery with clarity, care, and strength.