Road Type: Three-lane highway
Weather: Clear and dry, good visibility
Involved Vehicles: Mid-sized front-wheel-drive sedan
Cause of Accident: Concrete fragment fell from a road maintenance vehicle
Damage/Injury: Driver sustained serious injuries (rib fracture, cervical trauma); vehicle overturned
1. Accident Sequence and Site Investigation
Sequence of Events
A road maintenance vehicle was traveling on the highway after completing work.
A concrete fragment (~30cm, ~5kg) that had been left unsecured on the edge of the load bed fell onto the roadway during travel.
The following sedan was driving at approximately 150 km/h.
The front wheel hit the debris, causing an instant tire blowout.
The vehicle spun across lanes and collided with the guardrail, eventually overturning.
The airbags deployed normally; the driver was wearing a seatbelt and sustained serious injuries.
Post-Accident Investigation
Scene Findings: The vehicle came to rest upside down after two side-rolls.
Front tire and rim were destroyed; the concrete was embedded in the lower chassis.
Dashcam Analysis:
Brake application occurred within approximately 1 second of impact.
Visibility and reaction time were insufficient to avoid the obstacle.
Road Management Review:
No warning signs placed within 1.2 km prior to the debris
Maintenance vehicle had not reported the debris nor conducted pre-checks
Emergency Response:
Road partially closed for ~25 minutes
Medical helicopter dispatched; drone footage recorded for reconstruction
2. Legal Basis and Fault Analysis
Applicable Law
§22 Abs.1 StVO (German Road Traffic Regulations)
“Loads must be secured so that they do not slip, fall, or cause danger during travel.”
Fault Allocation
Maintenance Vehicle (At-Fault Party):
Violated cargo securing regulations
Failed to stop or report the incident immediately
Did not inspect load condition before driving
→ Found fully liable
Sedan (Victim):
Was driving at high speed (150 km/h) — allowed in unrestricted sections
Attempted to brake and avoid collision, but time was insufficient
→ No contributory fault (Mitverschulden liegt nicht vor)
3. Legal Outcome
Criminal Penalties
Driver of the maintenance vehicle:
3 penalty points
€1,200 fine
Company:
Administrative warning issued for safety violations
Separate regulatory action by road authority
Civil Liability
Compensation Total: ~€92,000
Full write-off of the vehicle
Medical costs and long-term treatment compensation
Emotional distress and psychological damage
Insurance Coverage:
Company liability insurance + vehicle liability insurance jointly paid the settlement