Truck Tire Blowout Accidents

A tire blowout always has the potential to be hazardous, but the consequences can be catastrophic for anyone nearby when a commercial truck tire blows out. In some truck tire blowouts, the noise or flying debris could distract other drivers and cause an accident. Or, the truck driver could lose control and crash into other vehicles. Whatever the specifics, a truck tire blowout accident can cause severe or fatal injuries to nearby drivers and passengers.

Our truck tire blowout accident attorneys at Nix Patterson understand the dangers of these accidents. We have decades of combined experience holding truck drivers and their employers accountable for their negligence.

What Is a Truck Blowout Accident?

A truck tire blowout accident happens when a tire blows, and the truck driver or other drivers lose control of their vehicles. Modern truck tires are more reliable, and blowouts are less common. However, blowouts still occur, and when they do, there can be serious accidents. It’s estimated that hundreds of auto accident deaths are related to tire blowouts every year.

Causes of Tire Blowout Accidents

A semi-truck tire blowout can happen for many reasons. Some of the most common factors in these mishaps are:

• Defective truck tires. If the truck tire has a manufacturing defect, the company that made it could be liable.
• Underinflated tire. An underinflated tire is highly stressed because too much weight is put on the components, forcing them to stretch beyond their capacity. Also, the heat inside the tire can make the rubber crack and explode.
• Overinflated tire. When a tire is overinflated, the heat from the asphalt, sun, and friction makes the internal tire temperature rise. This makes the air expand until the rubber stretches too far and explodes.
• Speeding. A Michelin truck tire blowout investigation determined that many truck drivers lose control by driving too fast. Most commercial truck tires can withstand a speed of 75 miles per hour. Too much heat can build up when this speed is exceeded, leading to a blowout.
• Overloaded truck or trailer. Too much weight in the trailer is a unfortunately a common industry practice. Overloading puts excessive pressure on the tires.
• Not changing worn tires. Worn tires are more prone to blowout because of the thin tread.
• Improper tire installation. A tire blowout can happen if the tires are not put correctly on the rims.

When a truck tire blows, it can be challenging for the driver to control his rig. However, that is only one danger of the blowout. Rubber shards may fly all over the road and other vehicles when the tire goes. This spray of rubber debris can cause an accident by itself. Even worse, the truck could roll because of the blowout or because the driver jerks the steering wheel to compensate.

Who Is Liable for a Tire Blowout?

The reason the tire blew out will dictate who you should sue for damages. For instance, if the tire blowout happened because the tires were worn, you could sue the driver and his employer. Or, if the investigation shows the tire was defective, there could be a claim against the tire manufacturer.

One or more parties can be liable for a truck tire blowout accident. For instance, the tire manufacturer may be liable if a manufacturing defect caused the accident. The trucker and trucking company could be responsible for not changing old tires or checking tire pressure.

Truck maintenance companies also could be faulted for failing to change or maintain the tires, leading to a severe truck accident. They could inflate the tires to the incorrect pressure. Additionally, shippers and loaders could be at fault if they overloaded the trailer.

Finally, when a pothole or road hazard caused the blowout, a government entity could be held responsible for the accident.

A Truck Driver’s Legal Requirements

Truck drivers are required by state and federal law to drive safely and be cautious when on the road. If a truck driver has a blowout because of an object in the road, they would not be found liable in an unavoidable accident.

But if the truck driver slams on the brakes and veers into another lane, he is likely violating his duty of care and could be found liable. Other responsibilities the truck driver has are:

• Duty to inspect. Drivers should check their tires and brakes before every shift and note any faults. If the truck driver sees worn tires that could blow out, he should make sure they are changed before he starts driving.
• Duty to not drive with unmaintained equipment. The driver is not allowed to drive when he knows a tire is worn or defective.
• Duty to do routine maintenance. Regular truck maintenance and inspections can reduce the chances of a truck blowout. If the truck driver doesn’t regularly inspect his vehicle, he could be held liable.

Common Truck Tire Blowout Injuries

Tractor-trailer blowouts happen daily, but fortunately, most do not cause accidents. However, when there is an accident, other vehicle occupants can suffer severe and traumatic injuries, such as:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spine injuries, including spinal cord damage
• Internal organ damage
• Paralysis
• Neck and back injuries
• Loss of limb and amputations
• Burns, disfigurement, and scarring
• Wrongful death

What a Truck Driver Should Do When a Tire Blowout Occurs

A tire blowout can be scary for anyone, including truck drivers. The ride could be comfortable and smooth, then suddenly, the tire blows, and the rig veers to the left or right. At that moment, there are critical steps to follow to avoid a serious truck accident:

• The truck driver needs to stay calm. Getting rattled will only worsen the incident. Remember, as a truck driver, you are supposed to drive safely and professionally, including during an emergency. Other drivers’ safety is dependent on you.
• Try to keep control of the truck. Keep the rig moving in the direction it is going rather than trying to veer in another direction. You should ensure that the truck keeps moving so you can keep control. Avoid sudden movements to keep the truck in your lane and away from other vehicles.
• Slow down gradually. You should ease your foot from the gas pedal and only use the brake gently to slow down. Avoid jamming on the brakes, or you could lose control.
• Pull off onto the shoulder. Turn on your turn signal and gradually move to the shoulder. Ideally, the blown tire side should face away from traffic. Put out road flares or markers before changing the tire.

Contact Our Truck Tire Blowout Accident Attorneys Today 

Being in a truck tire blowout accident can be terrifying. If you were injured, you could be entitled to compensation in a lawsuit. The team at Nix Patterson has a strong record of settlements and favorable verdicts in truck accident cases, so we can help. Contact our truck tire blowout accident attorneys today.