18-Wheeler Bursts Into Flames On Expressway in Edinburg
by Amber Cortez | March 10th, 2021 | 18 Wheelers
Tuesday morning, March 9th, a mattress flew off a pickup truck that was traveling in front of an 18-wheeler and lodged itself underneath the massive truck, causing the mattress to catch fire and burn the entire vehicle down.
Details About the Incident
According to local authorities, a pickup truck heading northbound on Expressway 281 was carrying an unsecured mattress that flew off of the vehicle and went underneath the 18-wheeler, where it lodged and caught fire.
In consequence, the burning mattress caused the 18-wheeler to completely burst into flames and was completely destroyed as a result.
The driver of the 18-wheeler managed to flee the vehicle in time and remained unharmed. As for the pickup truck driver, he did not stay to render aid and instead fled the accident scene.
The exact cause of how the mattress caught on fire remains unknown.
Road Debris Accidents Explained
Road debris can be classified as either loose objects on the road or an object flying off the bed of a vehicle. They can ultimately interfere with the flow of traffic and cause car accidents.
In a study conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA), it was revealed that between 2011-2014, a total number of 200,000 reported accidents occurred as a result of road debris, which cost the lives of 500 individuals and injured 39,000 victims.
When a driver operates a pickup truck or a vehicle holding up heavy cargo, it is their responsibility to properly strap and secure their objects down on their vehicle with tie-downs, netting, or ropes in a safe, legal manner. Individuals that fail to do so may be held responsible if their objects fly off and cause serious physical damage to any driver or pedestrian sharing the road with them.
What Should You Do if You Were Hit by a Flying Object on the Road?
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- Contact the police: When a car accident occurs, it is vital to pull over to the side of the road–if you can do so safely–and contact the local authorities. Let them know that the accident just occurred, and inform them of what happened and the exact whereabouts where the car accident occured.
- Seek medical help: Whether you suffered a serious injury or got away with minor cuts and bruises, it is crucial to seek out medical attention as soon as you can. This can help you document strong evidence should you decide to file a personal injury claim, and it can save your life as severe injuries can develop hours or even days after the car accident.
- Collect as much evidence as possible: This includes medical records and/or therapy costs or prescription receipts associated with the car accident. Photographs of your injuries and physical damages suffered, police reports when available, and any other sort of evidence can also help support your claim as well.
It is important to note that if an accident were to occur, the person carrying the cargo must stop and render aid and exchange insurance information with you. However, if the at-fault driver responsible for the flying object does NOT stop and flees, gather eyewitness reports, dashcam footage, or nearby store surveillance (if applicable) in order to help build a strong case.
Injured Because of Loose Road Debris? Get In Touch With the Rio Grande Valley’s Top Lawyer Today!
When a negligent driver fails to properly strap their property down and causes your car accident, you may be entitled to the appropriate financial compensation to cover the cost of your damages.
Don’t suffer in silence. The McAllen car accident attorneys of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys are here to fight tooth and nail for you in civil court to seek the justice you deserve.
Contact J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys today to set up a FREE virtual consultation!
Source: KRGV
