Why Is A Truck Tire Blowout Dangerous?
If you check out a big semi-truck, one of the first things that you will notice is that there are many more tires on it compared to a regular passenger vehicle. You might assume the extra tires might help with avoiding problems in case one tire fails. Although the extra tires do provide the truck with support and help it avoid veering off of the road, the fact is that tire blowouts can still be quite dangerous, and at times, even fatal.
If you were injured in an accident that was caused by a tire blowout on a truck, you might need help from an expert truck accident attorney. Our skilled attorneys are knowledgeable and experienced in handling numerous issues that involve truck accidents and can fight aggressively for you to make sure you are fully and fairly compensated for your damages and injuries.
Why Do Truck Tire Accidents Occur?
There are a number of different factors that may result in a truck tire failing. In a majority of situations, problems with truck tires may be prevented when the driver or truck owners ensures that sufficient inspections and proper maintenance are done prior to each trip. Improper tire pressure is one of the main causes of a tire blowout even though it is easy to adjust. Load weights, elevation, and outdoor temperature can also affect the air pressure inside of the tire. The driver is responsible to ensure the tires on the truck are inspected prior to going out on the road.
Another common cause of tire blowouts is tire wear. There are fewer treads on worn-out tires to keep them safely on the road and allow effective braking on the truck, which does make tires even more dangerous. Worn-out tires may blow out suddenly and unexpectedly which makes it nearly impossible for a truck driver to keep control of his truck. When a truck is traveling at high speeds, there is more heat generated on the tires. Traveling in hot water the heat on the tires is also increased. This increased heat has a significant impact on the condition of the truck’s tires and may cause a blown tire at any time.
Truck tire accountability, safety, and compliance are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. There are many rules that have been put in place when it comes to truck tire safety. Generally speaking, a truck should not be driven if the tires are not properly inflated, have damaged tires, or worn-out treads. The tire tread always should be at least the minimum depth for the type of vehicle. If the condition of the tires does not meet stipulated requirements, the truck should be removed from service until the necessary repairs are completed.
Loss of Control Following a Tire Blowout
A tire blowout should never be mistaken for a flat tire. Keep in mind that a truck may weigh more than 80,000 pounds and when traveling at 55 mph or higher, there is a significant risk n losing control over the truck. If a tire blow out occurs, usually the motion of the truck suddenly shifts and potentially the cargo inside shifts as well. This rapid change in the force results in the truck being lunged suddenly on one side wit the driving losing control over the vehicle’s trajectory.
The driver, in certain cases, may be lucky enough to regain control of the truck and bring it safely to a halt on the side of the road. However, tire blowouts often cause a truck to sharply swerve into another traffic lane. In order to compensate for this change in force, the truck driver might try to steer the truck quickly in another direction which can compound the problem even more. Depending on the situation, a truck might end up swerving off of the embankment, overturning, or crashing into cars.
Call Our Tractor Trailer Attorneys
No matter how your accident occurred, a collision that involves a truck is always potentially dangerous and may result in catastrophic injuries or even fatalities. If you have suffered injuries as a result of a truck accident, we can help you obtain the compensation you are entitled to receive. Contact our attorneys for your no-obligation free consultation. Give us a call today.
