Car Falls From Tractor-Trailer, Causes Crash, Fire

Sometimes car accidents are not caused by collisions but falling objects. An example of this recently happened in Tennessee, when a car fell from a tractor-trailer.

The incident happened around midnight on September 18 on I-40 West near Farragut. A car fell from the tractor-trailer at the nearby truck scales for unknown reasons.

This caused a crash but nobody was inside the fallen vehicle and nobody was injured. However, the incident did start a fire. The fire was eventually extinguished, but the cleanup was extensive and took a lot of time. The interstate’s westbound lanes did not fully reopen until almost six hours later.

Car Accidents Caused by Fallen Objects

In many cases, collisions are triggered by fallen objects in the roadway or debris that strikes a moving vehicle. These incidents can cause serious injuries. Fallen objects may cause accidents through:

• Cargo spills. Improperly secured loads from trucks can spill furniture, building materials, or other cargo onto the road.
• Vehicle parts. Tires, bumpers, or mechanical components may break loose and create dangerous obstacles. In this case, an entire vehicle fell from a tractor-trailer and ended up in the roadway.
• Natural debris. Trees, branches, and rocks can fall during storms or landslides.
• Construction materials. Tools, cones, or unsecured items from work zones may end up in traffic lanes.

Drivers may crash into the object directly, swerve and collide with another car, or lose control trying to avoid the hazard.

Common injuries in fallen object accidents include:

• Whiplash and spinal injuries from sudden stops or swerves.
• Head trauma if objects break through the windshield.
• Broken bones and lacerations from secondary collisions.
• Severe injuries in rollover crashes caused by evasive maneuvers.

Who Is Liable?

Determining liability in these cases can be complicated. The following entities can be held liable:

• Commercial trucking companies if cargo wasn’t secured properly.
• Other drivers when personal items or improperly attached equipment fall from a vehicle.
• Construction crews or municipalities if debris is left in the road or equipment isn’t secured.
• Property owners or local governments for natural debris, like falling trees, if negligence in maintenance is proven.

If cargo fell from another vehicle and that driver fled, the case may be treated like a hit and run accident. Police reports, dashcam footage, or witness testimony can be critical in proving liability. If the driver cannot be found, uninsured motorist coverage may still apply

Even if no driver is identified, you may still be able to recover damages through your own insurance policy, particularly if you carry comprehensive or uninsured motorist coverage.

Contact Us Today

Semi trucks are huge and can cause significant damage and injuries. Fortunately, nobody was injured in this case.

A Mt. Juliet truck accident lawyer from The Law Offices of Christopher Eads, PLLC can assist you after a crash. We understand the extent of these crashes and know they often require extensive medical care, lengthy recovery times, and significant financial support. Schedule a consultation with our office today by filling out the online form or calling (615) 622-6060.

Source:

wvlt.tv/2025/09/18/crash-fire-closes-i-40-w-near-farragut-hours/