Why Do Tire Blowouts Happen on Trucks?
Transport trucks and other commercial vehicles are a very common sight in Texas, and they are vital to our economy. Still, with their immense size and heavy weight, they pose a significant risk to everyone on the roads. The equipment on a truck can also cause a serious crash, including the tires.
Most people who have driven down the highways have seen scraps of tires along the shoulder. These tires blew off of trucks, and these tire blowouts pose a serious threat to other motorists. Below, our San Antonio truck maintenance safety lawyer explains why tire blowouts are so dangerous, and what to do if you have been hurt.
What Causes Tire Blowout Accidents?
The majority of tire blowout accidents are caused by negligence on the part of the truck driver or the trucking company. This is because both of these parties have a legal duty to perform proper inspections and maintenance on trucks to ensure they are safe, and that tires work properly. The most common causes of tire blowout accidents are as follows:
- Overloading: A truck’s tires are already under immense pressure from carrying the weight of the vehicle. When a truck is overloaded, that weight becomes even greater and often, the tires cannot handle it.
- Low tire pressure: Low tire pressure causes a truck’s tires to flex beyond their reasonable limits, resulting in a loss of elasticity and overheating and causing a tire blowout.
- Outdated tires: Old tires often have worn treads and have been subjected to excess exposure, which can make them susceptible to a blowout.
- Mechanical problems: When the tires on a truck have not been properly serviced, or they are out of alignment, it can cause a blowout.
Truck drivers, trucking companies, and anyone who inspects or maintains a truck has a legal obligation to ensure all parts of a truck are functioning properly. When they fail to do this, any of these parties can be held liable for a tire blowout.
What to Do After a Tire Blowout Accident
Just like other types of truck accidents, those caused by tire blowouts happen in an instant. It is natural to feel unsure of what to do next. The most important steps to take after a tire blowout are as follows:
- Stay calm and do not accelerate rapidly or slam on the brakes.
- After you have stopped safely, check to see if anyone involved is injured, including yourself.
- Call 911 so law enforcement and paramedics are called to the scene.
- Take photos and video footage of the scene, including your injuries, damage to all vehicles (not just your own), and the scraps of tire on the road.
- Exchange names, contact information, and insurance information with everyone involved in the crash.
- Locate witnesses and ask them for their contact information. Do not rely solely on the police officers to obtain this information, which they almost never include in the crash report.
Call Our Truck Maintenance Safety Lawyer in San Antonio
If you have been injured due to a tire blowout, you need sound legal advice. At the Law Office of Israel Garcia, our San Antonio truck maintenance lawyer can provide it so you have the best chance of a successful outcome. Call us today at 210-LAW-9999 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
