Car Hit By Falling Tree
When you think of car accidents, you may think of two vehicles colliding or maybe a car going off the road. But sometimes the vehicle doesn’t collide with something; instead, something collides with the vehicle
A tree recently fell on a car in Gainesville. The incident happened on the afternoon of October 11 on Newberry Road.
The tree fell on a vehicle in the 1500 block of Newberry Road, near Parker Road. Fortunately, nobody was injured. The tree did take out power lines in the area. Gainesville Regional Utilities crews and law enforcement officials cleaned up the debris and repaired the lines. The eastbound lanes of Newberry Road were closed during this time.
What Happens if a Tree Falls on My Car?
If a tree falls on your car, who is liable? It depends on the tree. You’re responsible if a tree falls from your yard and lands on your car. If you have comprehensive coverage, you will need to pay your deductible. Your insurance company will cover the rest.
If a tree from a neighbor’s yard falls on your car, is the neighbor liable? Maybe. You would need to prove negligence from the neighbor, which can be difficult. However, if the tree was clearly dead or rotting, or if you previously asked your neighbor to remove the tree, then you may have a case. If you can’t prove negligence, then you would be on the hook. Again, your comprehensive coverage would pay for the damage, minus the deductible.
However, if someone else causes a tree to fall on your car, like a tree removal company, then the damage should be covered by their insurance.
What if you’re driving when the tree accident occurs? Again, your comprehensive coverage should cover the damage. However, if the tree has already fallen into the road, and you hit it, this may require collision coverage. This is because a tree falling on your car while driving is usually unavoidable, so it would be covered by comprehensive insurance. Colliding with a fallen tree, on the other hand, is considered avoidable because you have an obligation to look for obstacles on the road. Your insurance company would classify it as a collision.
No matter how the accident occurs, you need to take quick action. If you were injured, seek medical help right away. Take photos of the damage to the vehicle. Contact your insurance company to file a claim. Be sure to pay the deductible. If a third party caused the accident, get their insurance information and provide it to your insurance company.
Contact Us Today
Sometimes car accidents can occur when trees and debris hit a car. These accidents can cause significant damage, but fortunately, the damages are often covered by insurance.
The Gainesville car accident attorneys at Meldon Law can help you get compensation for injuries and damages. Call (800) 373-8000 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation. We have four offices to serve you: Gainesville, Ocala, Fort Lauderdale, and Lake City.
Source:
wcjb.com/2022/10/11/falling-tree-hit-car-blocks-newberry-road/
