Who is Liable for a Truck Tire Blowout Accident?
It is something that no one wants to think about ever happening to them. You are driving down the highway and there is an 18-wheeler in front of you. Suddenly, you notice tread flying through the air. A tire on the truck has blown out and now, you are in real danger. Tire blowouts on trucks are extremely dangerous for many reasons. Not only can the blown tire hit surrounding cars and cause an accident, but the loss of a tire can sometimes cause the driver to lose control of the truck. This can also cause a very serious crash.
If you have been hurt by a tire blowout, you may be able to claim compensation for your medical expenses and other losses. To do so, you will have to first determine who is liable for your injuries.
What Causes Tire Blowouts?
There are several factors that can cause a tire blowout. Some of the most common of these are as follows:
- Insufficient maintenance: When trucks are not maintained properly, they can be more susceptible to tire blowouts. Federal law requires all trucks to be regularly maintained, including making sure tires have proper inflation, are regularly rotated, and are not leaking air.
- Overloaded: Overloaded trailers place too much weight on truck tires and cause blowouts. Trucking and loading companies have a duty to ensure trucks are not overloaded.
- Improper inflation: The rubber on tires wear out more quickly when they are not properly inflated, which can cause a blowout.
- Defects: Defects within tires can cause blowouts in some instances.
- Debris in roadway: Any roadway hazard of debris in the road can harm tires and cause a blowout.
It is not always easy to determine what caused a tire blowout. A San Antonio 18-wheeler accident lawyer can conduct an investigation to determine what caused the tire blowout and determine liability.
Determining Liability for Tire Blowouts
It is often difficult to determine who is liable for an accident caused by a tire blowout, particularly if you are not working with an attorney. Truck operators can be held liable if they failed to ensure that their tires were properly inflated or failed to inspect their tires. Trucking companies also have a legal duty to ensure that all tires are properly inspected, maintained, and in proper working order.
It is also not uncommon for manufacturers to be held liable for tire blowouts. All manufacturers have a duty to ensure their products are safe to use, including manufacturers of truck tires. When they fail to do this, they can be held strictly liable. This means you do not have to prove that the company was negligent, only that the tire was defective and that you were injured as a result.
Call Our 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer in San Antonio Today
Tire blowouts on trucks cause very serious accidents and it is not always easy to determine who is liable for them. At the Law Office of Israel Garcia, our San Antonio 18-wheeler accident lawyer can conduct a full investigation to determine liability and hold them responsible for paying damages. Call us now at 210-LAW-9999 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to get the legal help you need.
Source:
fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/search
