Be Prepared for Tire Blowouts When Passing Semi-Trucks

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Whether you’re headed out of town for a summer road trip or just going to work, it’s important to be aware of semi-trucks and tractor-trailers around you. If a piece of equipment malfunctions or strikes an obstacle, you could be caught in a fatal or catastrophic accident in moments. Tire blowouts pose a significant risk to truck drivers and others on the road since they often lead to serious collisions. Blowouts often happen on busy highways, such as I-10 and Highway 90.

Have you been hurt in a truck accident? You may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Call Reeves & Mestayer at 228-374-5151 to schedule a consultation now.

What Causes Tire Blowouts?

By figuring out what caused a truck’s tire blowout, your attorney may be able to determine liability. This is an important step if you plan on pursuing compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.

In some cases, a tire is overworn or not properly inflated. This is generally considered a driver error, as they are expected to check their vehicles thoroughly before getting on the road. An overworn tire needs just a small amount of pressure to explode, so it’s basically a ticking time bomb. A deflated tire will also explode as the trip wears on it.

Tires can also be defective. Poorly designed or manufactured tires may suffer sidewall zipper failures, shredding, and bead failures. These defects may not be immediately visible, but the likelihood of them causing an issue increases as a driver puts more and more miles on them. Manufacturers are responsible for producing safe products and recalling unsafe products.

Other factors may cause a blowout. Heat puts a significant amount of wear and tear on tires, increasing the chances of a blowout. An overloaded truck may be too much for tires to bear, leading to exploded tires.

Hitting an obstacle on the road can cause a tire blowout. However, a blowout is far more likely to occur because of a driver’s error, poor road conditions, or an overloaded vehicle.

The Driver’s Response Matters

How the truck driver responds to the blowout is an important part of this equation. An experienced, well-trained driver will know how to take evasive action and come to a stop in a way that causes the least possible amount of damage. A new driver or one with insufficient training is more likely to panic, overcorrect, and cause more damage than is necessary.

Who’s At Fault for a Tire Blowout?

Figuring out who is at fault can help you seek compensation from the correct party. Possible liable parties include:

  • The driver, but in this case, you would likely seek compensation from their employer
  • The company owner if they did not perform proper maintenance or ordered the use of incorrect or old tires
  • Repair shop if tire repairs were done incorrectly
  • Tire manufacturer if the tire was inherently flawed

React Quickly and Avoid Debris

If you notice a tire blowout when you are in the general vicinity of a semi-truck, the most important thing is to get out of the way as much as you possibly can. The truck driver is likely to lose control, swerve, and possibly roll over. In doing so, they will cause an enormous amount of damage. You should also keep an eye out for debris, as the tire will scatter bits and pieces all over the road. Hitting a large piece of debris can cause your car to spin out and cause a crash.

Are You Entitled to Compensation?

If a tire blowout causes you to be hurt in a crash, you may very well be entitled to compensation from the liable party. However, truck accidents are complicated, and securing a fair settlement from the proper party can be time-consuming and challenging. Working with a personal injury attorney is one way to fight for what you are owed. Your attorney can investigate the crash, determine liability, and pursue full compensation on your behalf.

Start Your Claim with Reeves & Mestayer

The team at Reeves & Mestayer is ready to help you fight for the money you deserve. Get started now by setting up a consultation. Just call us at 228-374-5151 or contact us online to find a time that works for you.