Vehicle parts, cargo, or other material that has been unintentionally discharged from vehicles onto the roadway causes over 25,000 car accidents nationwide per year, according to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Falling Cargo Hits and Injures Motorcyclist and Passenger

On Saturday, April 10, 2010, a motorcycle carrying a 39-year-old man and a 6 -old-girl were struck by a recliner chair that fell off a truck on Interstate 15 in Utah County near Santaquin, Utah. A life flight helicopter flew the man to Utah Valley Medical Center. He is currently listed in critical condition. The child sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment and further observation.

What Caused Potentially Fatal Motorcycle Accident

This Utah motorcycle crash occurred when a pickup truck driver failed to securely the recliner chair in the back of his truck. The recliner fell off into the direct path of the motorcyclist, who then struck the chair he and his minor passenger were ejected from the bike. They are very fortunate to not have been run over or hit by on-coming traffic.  Utah Highway Patrol spokesman Jeff Nibur, confirmed in a Salt Lake Tribune news report, that the truck driver was cited for causing the Utah truck verses motorcycle accident. He expects the two injured victims to survive.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to this man and child. We pray that they both will make a full and quick recovery. This accident could have been much worse. For one, both motorcyclist and passenger were wearing helmets. Traveling at freeway speeds and crashing increases the likelihood of crash victims sustaining serious brain trauma and physical injuries. Secondly, it is a miracle that oncoming traffic did not hit these injured victims. We ask motorists to securely and properly fasten any cargo loads to ensure the safety of other commuters on Utah roads.

Growing Problem with Debris on Utah Roads

Especially during the spring months, it is not uncommon to see trucks overladen with moving boxes and furniture driving on Utah roads. Often times these loads do not seem secure. It amazes me to see the balancing act of a few motorists who have a mattress tied to the roof of their vehicle while the driver cannot see out of the windows due to the amount of personal belongings piled in the car. As a personal injury attorney with years of experience representing victims of accidents caused by the reckless behaviors of some motorists, I assure you it’s worth the expenditure to rent or borrow a moving truck or trailer.

It is not the average person who is responsible for the road debris that cause so many fatal Utah accident each year but rather commercial and government vehicles are most often liable.  A survey of road authorities in the U.S. demonstrated that the three most prevalent forms of road debris include:

  • Tire treads (which are very dangerous to motorcyclist)
  • Garbage from dump trucks or semi’s carrying loads of garbage
  • Materials from construction trucks

When Time is Not on Your Side

If you have been injured in an accident caused by road debris or loads falling from trucks, it is imperative that you contact a skilled Utah accident attorney. Time is of the essence in these cases, as evidence and witnesses, that are a vital aspect in determining liability, can be lost. Also, there is a limited time frame allowed by Utah law to file personal injury claims in accidents with government vehicles. The experienced motorcycle and auto accident lawyers of the Christensen Law Firm have years of experience working on these types of personal injury claims. They can help you during this difficult legal and insurance process. Contact us at (801) 506-0800 to discuss your legal rights now.