When a truck tire blows out, it bursts suddenly, often at high speeds. A trucker can lose control of the rig and crash into vehicles nearby or in adjacent lanes – or the truck can roll over, leading to a multi-car pileup. The cargo can become loose from the jolt to the vehicle and spill out on the road, creating a hazard for other motorists. Shredded parts of the blown-out tire may also be strewn on the roadway, creating obstacles for other vehicles, and leading to crashes when drivers try to swerve out of their way.
Tire blowouts can be the result of improper maintenance, failure to respond to recalls, or poor road conditions. Whatever the cause, if a tire blowout resulted in your injuries and that blowout was the consequence of negligent actions, you may pursue damages against the at-fault party. At Sorey & Gilliland, LLP, we have a thorough understanding of the trucking industry within the Permian Basin and across Texas. If you bring your case before us, we will apply all our knowledge and experience to identifying the liable parties and holding them accountable for your injuries. Schedule a free consultation by calling us at (903) 230-5600.
How Negligence and Carelessness Cause Blowouts
Retreading is the leading cause of blowouts in truck tires. Retreading is the practice of putting new tread on used tires for cost savings. With retreads, the tread may separate from the tire, causing a blowout. This situation can be extremely dangerous when it happens on an 18-wheeler.
In addition to this dangerous practice, defective tires are another cause of blowouts. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration outlines the types of tires that need to be recalled on a regular basis and trucking companies are required to comply when they receive a notification. If a recall was issued and a trucking company continues to use defective tires, that company can be held liable for any resulting injuries.
Other causes of tire blowouts include:
- Failure to properly inspect, maintain, and replace truck tires
- Overloading the truck with cargo
- Over- or underinflated tires
- Improper tire size
- Hazardous road conditions
- Excessive braking
Holding At-Fault Parties Responsible
Depending on the circumstances of the blowout, multiple parties may be found liable. Generally, the trucking company must routinely inspect and maintain their trucks, including the tires. If they discover that the vehicle is not in a safe operating condition or is likely to break down, they should take it off the road until it can be properly repaired.
In addition to the trucking company, truckers are required to perform a pre-trip inspection that includes reviewing the last driver’s report and certifying that any necessary repairs have been made. At the end of each day and major project, they should also conduct a post-trip inspection and report any needed repairs.
As mentioned earlier, retailers and maintenance companies are also held to strict standards when repairing and inspecting trucks. If a mechanic cut corners when changing tires or installed a faulty tire, they could be held liable for any blowouts. In some cases, the trucking company may have also noticed the error, but if they fail to fix the issue, both the auto shop and trucking company could be responsible for any injuries.
Securing Your Right to Compensation
If you were injured in an accident caused by a truck blowout, you do not want to go up against a trucking company on your own. Both the trucking agency and their insurance companies have large teams of investigators, adjusters, and attorneys to represent their interests – which includes denying claims. Holding them accountable requires the skill, experience, and knowledge of your own team of attorneys, which you will find at Sorey & Hoover, LLP.
Our Texas trucking accident attorneys have negotiated multiple high-value settlements on behalf of injured clients. We can perform a thorough investigation of the accident, reviewing the black box data to the road conditions to the big rig’s history of service, to ensure no detail is missed. Contact us as soon as possible at (903) 230-5600 to ensure you receive fair and proper representation.
