When the tire on a commercial truck blows out, anyone in the vicinity could become seriously injured. Tire blowout accidents put truck drivers at risk of losing control of their massive vehicles. When an 80,000-pound truck careens down the highway, everyone else on the road is at risk of a catastrophic or fatal accident.
If you were injured in a collision with a semi-truck, or any other vehicle, caused by a tire blowout, you might be entitled to significant compensation. The trucking company, tire manufacturer, maintenance company, or another third party may be financially responsible for your injuries. Contact Saeedian Law Group today to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about your rights.
Common Causes of a Tire Blowout
Tire blowouts can easily cause a tragic accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire blowouts cause thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths in the United States every year. Many of these accidents could have been prevented if the driver, tire manufacturer, or another third party had used reasonable care. Tire blowout accidents can be caused by road debris, potholes, and tire defects. However, most accidents are caused by driver negligence. Drivers who don’t routinely check all of their tires for signs of wear and tear and monitor their tire pressure are more likely to experience a blowout.
Underinflated Tires
When tires are not properly inflated, the risk of a car accident increases. Under-inflated tires can’t handle the road properly. Tires that lack enough air pressure burst more easily. Drivers should know the proper amount of inflation for their tires. This is especially important for commercial drivers. When the tires of a semi-truck burst because they are under-inflated, they can cause an explosion that sends debris into oncoming vehicles, pedestrians, and anyone else on the road.
Overloading
Commercial drivers should be careful to avoid overloading their vehicles. The tires are more likely to burst when commercial vehicles are loaded with too much weight, excessive cargo, or too many passengers. Overloading is a serious concern for commercial trucks, SUVs, vans, buses, and other large vehicles. Commercial drivers need to be aware of the maximum load weight their vehicle can carry without putting the tires at risk.
Poor Maintenance
Commercial drivers should replace tires according to the manufacturer’s mileage recommendations. A driver should also perform regular inspections for signs of wear and tear, leaks, punctures, and other damage. Trucking companies may cut corners by failing to regularly maintain their tires, putting everyone on the road at risk. Trucking companies should keep detailed maintenance records and routinely check truck tires and tire pressure.
Manufacturing Defects
Defective tires can also cause tire blowout accidents. When a manufacturing company uses substandard materials or improperly designs its tires, the tires may be prone to blowout on the road. While recalls of tires are common, defective tires cause accidents that result in thousands of injuries each year.
What Should I Do If I’m Injured in a Tire Blowout Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a tire blowout accident, you may be wondering what steps you should take to protect yourself and your legal claim. The most important thing you should do is seek medical attention. If you don’t go to the emergency room, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor quickly after the accident. We recommend reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible. Don’t accept an offer from the insurance company because it will probably be too low. An attorney can negotiate a better settlement offer for you.
Who Can Be Held Liable For a Tire Blowout Injury?
Drivers have a legal obligation to use reasonable care under the circumstances to avoid causing injuries to others. When drivers fail to use reasonable care, they can be held liable for their negligence through a personal injury lawsuit. If a tire blowout was caused by debris on the road, the driver could not be held liable for the accident because it wasn’t caused by his or her negligence. However, if a semi-truck driver knows that one of his tires is low on air but decides to drive anyway and the tire has a blowout that causes an accident, the victim can hold the driver accountable.
All drivers, including truck drivers, have a duty to inspect their vehicles to detect obvious problems with their tires. Leaking tires will appear flat, while tire treads can also become worn out. It doesn’t take a highly skilled mechanic to notice that a tire is threadbare or deflated. Being unaware of a defect with a tire isn’t a valid defense. Drivers who knew or should have known that a tire has a dangerous defect are deflated or threadbare. They have a duty to address the problem before driving and putting others on the road.
Product Liability Cases for Defective Tires
Manufacturers are supposed to test their tires to ensure they can perform at high speeds safely. Many of these tests are conducted without much regulatory insight. If the accident that caused your injuries resulted from a manufacturing or design defect, you may be able to pursue compensation from the manufacturer through a product liability lawsuit.
Similarly, you may be able to hold the retailer who sold you the tire liable if the tire was damaged when they sold it to you at the store. Finally, when mechanics fail to notice a defective tire or don’t adequately tighten the lugnuts, and the tire causes an injury, you may be able to hold the maintenance company liable.
Discuss Your Tire Accident Case with an Experienced Attorney
If you or your loved one were injured in an automobile accident caused by a tire blowout, we recommend seeking medical treatment after you call the police. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Saeedian Law Group can investigate your case, determine who is liable, and help you pursue the total and fair amount of compensation you deserve. Contact Saeedian Law Group today to schedule your free consultation.
