You are driving behind an 18-wheeler commercial truck, and you notice that it is going to experience a tire blowout. During the event, you get caught in the crosshairs and get injured. The US experiences countless tire blowout accidents throughout the year. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has estimated that this is the leading cause of truck accidents overall.
If you have been injured in a tire blowout trucking accident, you may be wondering whether you are entitled to compensation. The thought of going against a trucking company can be intimidating and discourage you from pursuing a claim. Consult with a team of Georgia truck accident lawyers to explore your legal options.
How are truck tire blowouts caused?
Here are some common causes of truck tire blowouts:
- Inadequate maintenance: Truck tires should be properly checked and maintained before every drive to ensure there are no bad tires. Lack of maintenance results in negligence.
- Overloaded or overweight: There are certain government guidelines about overloading a truck, and the trucking company must ensure that they are followed. Overloading a truck can put too much pressure on the tires, causing them to blow out.
- Improperly inflated tire: An improperly inflated tire can cause equal amounts of damage as a damaged tire. An underinflated tire can wear out faster and have a higher chance of a blowout.
- Defective tire: In some cases, the tire turns out to be faulty. Every year, millions of tires are recalled due to being defective.
- Road debris or hazards: Any debris on the road or hazards can cause a blowout.
Who is liable for a trucking tire blowout?
Tire blowouts are never an accident and are completely preventable. There are several parties who can be held liable, including the following:
- Truck driver: The truck driver has a responsibility to drive safely on the road. If they are found to be drunk driving or distracted, which led to the blowout, they will be held liable for the accident.
- Trucking company: The trucking company where the driver works may be held liable for not keeping up with the maintenance of vehicles, hiring unprofessional drivers, or not sticking to government guidelines.
- Tire manufacturer: In some cases, the trucking company and driver have no fault in the accident. Instead, the tire is discovered to malfunction, and the manufacturer becomes the liable party. Manufacturers are supposed to create tires that are safe for use. Failing to do so can result in legal problems.
Contact an attorney today if you were injured in a tire blowout accident.