Semi-Truck Tire Blowouts: Danger on Our Highways

Truck tire blowouts are more common and more dangerous than many people understand. With an estimated 12 million trucks on the highway with about 18 wheels each, that’s an astounding 216 million large and heavy tires rolling on the nation’s roadways. It’s no wonder large sections of shredded tires, a hazard in and of themselves, are so common on the freeways.

Truck tire blowouts are a significant safety issue. They are said to be the cause of more than 5% of serious large semi truck accidents. They are a danger to not only the truck and driver but to those traveling near and in particular behind or to the side of the truck when a blowout occurs.

If you’ve been involved in an injury accident that was caused by a truck tire blowout, you may be entitled to be compensated by the responsible party.

What are the Major Causes of Truck Tire Blowouts?

While a tire blowout may be caused by an accidental road hazard like a sharp object or pothole, most can be traced back to a problem that could have been prevented. These include:

• Improper inflation of the tire. Improperly inflated tires, particularly those that are under-inflated, can build up heat and cause a tire failure in the form of a blowout. Proper inflation of tires also helps truckers maintain better control of their vehicles causing a truck accident.
• Errors in tire installation. Often times, truck tire blowouts may result from improper installation. This improper installation can result in tires rubbing, wobbling or causing dangerous wear. It may even result in the loss of a tire from a truck or trailer.
• Flaws in the manufacturing process. Tire blowouts can be traced back to the manufacturer who may have sold tires that don’t meet specifications of quality control.
• Trailers that are overloaded. An overloaded truck trailer can put undue stress on tires, not only causing potential control problems for the driver but more pressure on the tires that they were designed for.
• Insufficient maintenance. If trucks and trailers aren’t maintained properly, it is also likely their tires may be worn past the point of safety. Tires need to be subject to frequent inspections and replaced as needed.
• Truck driver error. A driver may damage a tire by cutting a corner too close or driving off the roadway. If the driver fails to inspect a tire after potentially damaging it, he may be responsible.

While initially, a truck tire blowout may seem accidental, there are often responsible parties.

Who May Be Responsible

As you can see from the above, responsibility for a truck tire failure may be traced to the driver, truck driving company, a leasing company, mechanic or a tire manufacturer. At The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani, our personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles specialize in semi truck accidents. We will look at all aspects of your truck tire blowout or truck accident injury accident and determine the at-fault party or parties. Get the legal representation and justice you deserve. Contact The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani, your personal injury attorney, at 888.952.2952. One call and we handle it all.