Truck Tire Blowout Incidents are No Accident

By Clare Louise 5 years ago

Think about the common experience of a fully-loaded 18-wheeler passing you at a high rate of speed. That moment when a mammoth truck sucks the air from all around you and creates its own turbulence can make any driver anxious. To put that in an even scarier reality, the average car weighs about 5,000 pounds. A fully-loaded 18-wheeler can legally weigh in at a staggering 80,000 pounds.

When things like negligent driving or failure to maintain one of these behemoths cause a tire to explode, everyone on the road is in imminent danger. Moreover, when a big rig driver’s carelessness causes you or a loved one’s loss or injury, its imperative that you call a tire blowout truck accident lawyer. That’s because an attorney with experience handling these types of tragedies understands they might not be mere accidents after all.

When are Truck Tire Blowouts Not an Accident?

It’s important for everyday people to recognize that the operators of those big rigs hold a specialized permit known as a Commercial Driver’s License or CDL. They have enough training and experience to haul freight over America’s roadways safely. Simply put, they are professional drivers, and safety is a significant part of their responsibility.

That being said, professional truckers have a responsibility to maintain a safe, secure vehicle at all times. Tire inspections are not optional. They are mandatory considering the rubber that meets the road could have upwards of 80,000 pounds pushing down on it. That idea alone is a frightening proposition. So, when a truck tire explodes creating a crisis, it can often be traced back to negligence by an experienced tire blowout truck accident lawyer.

Signs of Truck Tire Blowout Negligence

It’s not uncommon for fleet trucking operations to have personnel in place to ensure trucks, and their tires, are roadworthy. Fleets are often big companies that you see their name branded on the vehicle or trailer. Individual owner-operators are also tasked with making routine vehicle safety inspections before driving next to you. These are common causes of negligent blowouts.

  • Overloaded Trailers: When the weight of the goods being hauled exceeds tire limitations, that may constitute negligence.
  • Uneven Trailer Loads: Although a truck may be under the legal weight limits, if excessive weight resides on one side, tire blowouts could be imminent.
  • Air Leaks: Slow leaks can reduce the ability of a tire to negotiate lane changes and turns.
  • Worn Tires: It’s never a good policy to wear out tire treads. But when a trucker does, it puts lives at risk.

The idea that faulty tire blowouts are somehow mere accidents grossly misses the point. Professional trucking operations are fully aware of the steps required to ensure everyone’s safety. If you or a loved one have suffered due to someone else’s carelessness, seek medical attention, and then call an experienced tire blowout truck accident lawyer.