Jessica Preciado, of Downey, Injured in Freak Accident on the 57 Freeway Near Brea After Being Hit by Metal Rod
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (December 8, 2028) – A mother from Downey identified as Jessica Preciado was injured after being struck by a metal rod that pierced her vehicle on the 57 Freeway near Brea.
Orange County officials are saying the accident took place as the victim was heading north on the 57 Freeway after dropping off her son at school. Jessica Preciado was driving in the third row of the freeway when she heard a loud pop.
She told reporters that she began to feel a lot of pressure and immense pain. A metal rod pierced through her vehicle and pierced her left glute.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help her. Jessica Preciado was taken to the hospital to undergo surgery.
It remains unclear where the metal rod came from.
Liability for Orange County Car Accidents
Drivers have a legal obligation to properly secure all of their cargo to prevent it from being tossed into the roadway as debris. According to California Vehicle Code § 23112, “No person shall throw or deposit, nor shall the registered owner or the driver, if such owner is not then present in the vehicle, aid or abet in the throwing or depositing upon any highway any bottle, can, garbage, glass, nail, offal, paper, wire, any substance likely to injure or damage traffic using the highway, or any noisome, nauseous, or offensive matter of any kind.” Drivers should take several actions to avoid letting debris enter the roadway.
- Secure Loads: Drivers should take several measures to secure all of their load and cargo. They should include using tiedowns, straps, and tarps when necessary.
- Inspections: Drivers should have periodic inspections of their vehicle.
- Maintenance: Drivers should ensure that preventative maintenance is performed on their vehicle.
- Debris Removal: Drivers should call law enforcement if they inadvertently spilled debris into the roadway so that it can be removed.
Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties for any accident when a person is hit by debris on a roadway. A vehicle owner could be liable if a metal rod or some other part fell off of their vehicle and hit someone. A business would also be liable for such an accident if road debris fell from one of their work vehicles. It is important to determine the source of the debris so that the responsible party can be held accountable.
Steps to Take After Accidents Involving Road Debris
Accidents where a person is injured by road debris may seem like freak occurrences, but these incidents are actually quite common. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, “road debris was a factor in an average of 53,000 police-reported crashes resulting in 5,467 injuries and 72 deaths in each year from 2018 through 2023.” It is important that the victims of these accidents take certain steps to protect their rights.
- Medical Evaluation: Any person injured in an accident involving road debris should seek a thorough medical evaluation. Many of the injuries associated with such an accident may not be immediately obvious.
- Police Report: The accident should be reported to the police as soon as possible so that they can begin an investigation.
- Evidence Preservation: All of the evidence associated with the accident should be carefully collected and preserved. This will include the piece of debris that may have caused the injury in the first place.
- Legal Support: Victims should seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can examine the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Being injured in a car accident can be traumatic and incredibly disruptive to a person’s life. Many people are left with medical bills and lasting physical trauma. Even if a person’s physical injuries completely heal, victims may be left with long-term psychological trauma. This may manifest through anxiety, nightmares, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Any person injured in an accident with road debris may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a personal injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
Investigating Orange County Road Debris Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our best wishes to Jessica Preciado and her family. It is our sincere hope that she is able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Many questions remain unanswered. Where did the metal rod come from? Have there been similar accidents along this stretch of road?
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in an accident involving road debris in California? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys is here to assist you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of the rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
