When a truck tire blows out, it’s very likely that other motorists will get hurt. Trucks are heavy machines that generate a tremendous amount of force in an impact. If a semi-truck tire blowout happens, a truck driver can easily lose control of the vehicle, leading to collisions and life-threatening injuries. In other incidents, just the debris from the blown-out tire can cause a crash or serious injuries on its own.
Tire blowouts rarely happen out of the blue. Often, they are the result of negligent maintenance performed on the tire or defects in the tire itself. If you, or a loved one, are injured because of a truck tire blowout, it’s important to understand how these collisions happen. Below, we’ll discuss how tire blowouts happen and who may be held responsible when they do.
Negligent Tire Maintenance
Many parties are responsible for the tires on the trucks: drivers, trucking companies, maintenance companies, and others. All of these parties may be responsible for inspecting and maintaining the truck’s tires:
- Drivers. Drivers are the ones operating the truck, and they’re often the last line of protection for others on the road. They’re expected to inspect their tires daily, replace them when needed, and to look out for the safety of others on the road. When drivers fail to inspect or maintain their tires, they may be liable for the injuries they cause.
- Trucking companies. Trucking companies have legal obligations to maintain their trucks and meet safety standards. This includes regular maintenance of trucks and careful documentation of the work that is done. If a company infrequently inspects their tires, fails to replace truck tires when needed, or otherwise shirks their duties, it may be liable for a blowout collision.
- Maintenance companies. Drivers and trucking companies may contract out their work to professionals who oversee truck maintenance. As professionals, these maintenance companies and their mechanics must fulfill their duties with care and skill. When they fail to do so, innocent people often get hurt.
These and other parties may be liable if you, or a loved one, were injured by a truck tire blowout.
Tire Defects
Sometimes inspection and replacement aren’t enough. When there is a fundamental design or manufacturing defect hidden in a tire, then the tire designer and manufacturer may also bear the blame. When a tire is defective in design or manufacture, you may be able to recover from the tire company for the injuries that you’ve suffered. This is called a products liability or defective product claim.
Contact an Experienced Truck Tire Blowout Accident Lawyer
When you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you need a tough, experienced lawyer who will fight for the compensation you need. At the Sloan Firm, we understand what you’re going through and what you need to recover. We’ve helped clients secure compensation for truck tire blowout accidents, and we can help you too.
Our personal injury lawyers will help you fight the responsible companies, we’ll help you get your medical bills paid, and we’ll help you pursue the compensation you deserve. At every step, we’ve got your back. At the Sloan Firm, we care about our clients. What matters to you, matters to us.
For a free consultation call us or use our online contact options today.