When a truck tire blows out, liability can fall on the tire manufacturer, truck driver, or trucking company, depending on the cause of the failure. Establishing liability rests on identifying the causal factors contributing to the accident and tracing them back to their source.
Truck accidents exhibit a large amount of dynamical complexity, so assessing the root causes of any one accident can be exceptionally difficult. If you were recently injured in a truck accident due to a tire blowout, an experienced truck accident lawyer in Charlotte can help you identify the responsible party and hold them accountable.
Causes of Tire Blowouts
Tire blowouts occur when automobile tires suddenly burst or explode. Blowouts cause a number of trucking accidents and happen because the internal tire pressure causes the rubber to rupture and split. Because the vehicle can lose control, truck tire blowouts have the potential to be incredibly destructive.
Several causes can influence the occurrence of a tire blowout, including:
- Overinflated tires. Tires are designed to operate within specific pressure ranges. Overinflating can cause tire pressure to exceed recommended material limits.
- Manufacturing defects. Blowouts may also happen due to mechanical imperfections from errors in tire manufacturing or design.
- Lack of maintenance. Neglecting tire maintenance and inspections can drastically increase the chance of tire blowouts and accidents.
- Poor road conditions. Potholes, cracks, and worn road sections can cause tires to burst from the sudden impact.
- Overloaded trailer. Overloading the tractor-trailer with too much cargo can also cause tire blowouts, even if they are correctly manufactured and well-maintained.
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Is the Tire Manufacturer Liable for a Blowout?
Tire manufacturers can be liable for the accident if it happened because of mechanical defects and manufacturing errors. Manufacturers have quality control procedures to make sure defective products get removed, but they don’t always work. Material defects from manufacturing errors can cause the tire to explode, even if it’s inflated correctly.
If the tire manufacturer is liable, you could file a product liability lawsuit against them to recover compensatory damages. You must show that the manufacturer was negligent when designing or creating the product to hold them liable.
Can Truck Drivers Be Blamed for Tire Blowouts?
Truck drivers must complete regular inspections on their vehicles and must stop driving if they encounter mechanical issues. If a truck driver ignores and doesn’t record signs of obvious tire damage, they can be liable if the tire explodes and causes an accident.
Truck drivers can also be liable if they engage in unsafe driving practices that increase the risk of tire damage, like speeding or driving over inappropriate terrain.
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Are Trucking Companies Responsible for Tire Checks?
Yes. Trucking companies must follow strict rules regarding inspecting and maintaining their fleets. Trucking companies that neglect fleet maintenance can be directly liable for accidents arising from mechanical failures.
For example, all tires on commercial semi-trucks must have a minimum tread depth and undergo pre- and post-trip inspections. All truck tires must have the same type of construction and must have no visible signs of damage.
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Who Else Can Be Held Liable for Blowout Accidents?
Liability can fall on several additional parties as well, such as:
Road Maintenance Crews
If the tire blowout happened due to bad road conditions, the entity responsible for road maintenance and design would be liable. For public roads and highways, the relevant entity would be the local municipality or state transportation agency.
Road crews can also be liable if there are inherent design features making blowouts more likely. For example, sharp curbs and large road expansion joints are road design elements that can increase the likelihood of tire damage.
Loading Crews
Loading crews can also be liable if the blowout happened because the truck cargo was too heavy or not loaded properly. Truck cargo must be loaded to evenly distribute weight and must be secured from movement. If truck cargo shifts or falls while in transit, the sudden jolt could cause tire damage.
What Evidence Can Be Used to Prove Liability for Truck Tire Blowouts?
Here are just some of the types of evidence that can be used to prove that some party’s negligence was ultimately responsible for the blowout and accident:
- Maintenance records showing the last tire inspection/replacement dates
- Pre- and post-trip driver inspection reports
- Electronic logs showing tire pressure and temperatures during the crash
- Tire design blueprints or manufacturing report results
- Prior instances of defective tires from the manufacturer
- Physical evidence and tire debris from the crash scene
Evidence preservation is a concern in cases such as these because the trucking company might destroy or degrade evidence through repairs or fleet maintenance. A lawyer can work quickly to preserve relevant materials to give your case a better chance of success.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer From DeMayo Law Offices Today
If you have more questions about liability for truck tire blowouts or would like to learn how a Charlotte personal injury lawyer can help, contact DeMayo Law Offices today for a case consultation. We are here to be Your North Carolina Law Firm™.
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