How Truck Tire Blowouts Cause Accidents

Monday, June 14, 2021

How Truck Tire Blowouts Cause Accidents

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Truck tire blowouts are often preventable. Yet, truck drivers and trucking companies fail to take the necessary steps to prevent them. When their negligence cause harm to an innocent motorist or passenger, they deserve compensation.

Semi-trucks are a staple of the American economy. Whether they know it or not, people rely on them to have local goods available to purchase and receive their mail. For as much benefit as they provide, big rigs are also dangerous. They are much larger and weigh more than most other vehicles on the road. As such, they require more time and distance to stop. If they can’t stop in time, they typically do more damage and cause more severe injuries than if they were a passenger vehicle.

One of many common causes of truck accidents is tire blowouts. If you were recently in an accident, it’s essential to seek legal help. An experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer can investigate the cause of your accident to help you pursue compensation for your injuries.

What Causes a Truck Tire Blowout?

Many factors can contribute to a tire blowout and resulting truck accident. Sometimes the truck driver is entirely at fault due to an error in judgment or other negligent conduct. Other times, the problem might be with the tire itself. Heat can contribute to the risk of tire blowouts as well. Here are some of the most frequent reasons behind blowouts.

• Driver negligence: Truck drivers are responsible for keeping their truck’s tires properly inflated and changing tires that are worn down and compromised. If they don’t do these things, the tire’s tread can separate, causing the tire to lose air pressure quickly and explode.
• Defective tires: Sometimes, the blowout isn’t the driver’s fault at all; it’s due to faulty manufacturing. An already faulty tire is especially susceptible to a blowout in adverse road conditions like potholes, bumpy roads, or over broken glass. If this is the reason for your accident, a Chicago truck attorney can help you hold the tire manufacturer liable for your injuries.
• Overloaded cargo: An overloaded truck is one of the most common causes of tire blowouts. Each state has maximum limits on the load weight trucks can carry on the interstates. An overloaded truck puts more strain on tires, especially if they are already compromised.

How Blowouts Lead to Accidents

Immediately after a truck tire blowout, several things can happen to cause an accident. Parts of the tire and other debris can become obstacles in the road or impede vision and cause other drivers to crash. The truck driver can lose control of the big rig and hit another vehicle. It might also cause the truck to swerve into another lane, into oncoming traffic, or even roll over.

Did a Tire Blowout Cause Your Accident? Contact an Experienced Chicago Truck Lawyer

At Malman Law, we know how devastating truck accident injuries can be. Our skilled truck attorneys work hard to seek justice on behalf of our clients and ensure that they seek and receive a fair amount of compensation that covers their losses. Schedule your free consultation by calling (312) 629-0099 or using our online contact form.