Alabama Attorney for Big Rig Accidents Caused by Sidewall Blowouts
Big rig accidents caused by tire sidewall blowouts are more common than you might believe. Tire blowouts are responsible for thousands of car crashes and fatalities every year. That is why it is important for a truck driver to understand what to do in the event of a tire sidewall blowout. If you or a family member was injured due to a truck accident caused by a sidewall blowout, you should contact an experienced Alabama big rig accident attorney.
The Morrison Law Firm is dedicated to representing you in your personal injury claim against a negligent trucking company that is responsible for your injuries. You should not have to deal with the extensive consequences of being involved in a serious truck accident. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your potential case, call The Morrison Law Firm at (334) 625-6128, or contact us online.
How Truck Drivers Should Handle a Sidewall Blowout
As a truck driver, it is expected that a person should have received extensive training on how to handle their vehicle under several different circumstances. Unfortunately, some trucking companies permit their employees to operate a big rig without receiving proper training. This often results in a truck driver causing a severe accident because they are not aware of what to do if a sidewall blowout or similar event occurs.
Sidewall blowouts happen when air pressure quickly escapes from a tire and causes the sidewall to burst and separate from the rim of the tire. This can be caused by various circumstances like the overloading of a big rig or unrepaired damage to a tire. Many of these hazards are avoidable if the trucking company performed frequent maintenance on their fleet of vehicles.
When a sidewall blowout occurs, the vehicle will usually turn in the direction of the blown out tire. The natural reaction of many drivers will cause them to pull the wheel back in the opposite direction and to slam on the brakes. This course of action would almost guarantee that the driver will lose control of the vehicle. If a truck driver behind the wheel of a big rig responds to a sidewall blowout in this manner, they will endanger the lives of every motorist in the near vicinity.
Instead of pressing on the brakes and attempting to fight the direction of the vehicle, a truck driver should accelerate for a brief period to avoid losing too much speed and spinning out of control. After accelerating, the truck driver should keep the wheel of the big rig steady to avoid losing control of the vehicle. After stabilizing the vehicle, the truck driver should bring the vehicle to a slow stop and pull over.
While it may be difficult to recreate a tire blowout to help with training purposes, a truck driver should be aware of the potential careless actions that may lead to a serious accident. Big rigs are large and weighty vehicles and not knowing valuable safety precautions that can save lives is inexcusable.
To learn more about big rig crashes and when to file a lawsuit for a big rig crash, you should continue reading and consult with an experienced Montgomery personal injury lawyer.
When to File a Lawsuit After a Big Rig Accident
If you were injured in a dangerous big rig accident, the truck driver and the trucking company might be liable for your injuries. Our firm can help you go over the facts of your case to determine whether you should file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent trucking company.
If you have a solid claim against a trucking company after a sidewall blowout accident, you should file a personal injury lawsuit as soon as possible. In Alabama, there is a statute of limitations on personal injury cases and various other types of civil claims. The statute of limitations sets a filing deadline for a certain type of lawsuit. The purpose of this law is to prevent a plaintiff from filing their claim after several years have passed.
The statute of limitations on personal injury cases in Alabama is two years from the date of your injury. If you do not file your claim within these two years, the court may bar you from filing entirely. If this happens, you will not have any legal alternatives to pursue compensation from the trucking company. Our firm can help you build your case and file it before the statute of limitations has run.
Our Alabama Big Rig Tire Blowout Lawyers are Here for You
If you or a family member was a victim in a catastrophic truck crash, you should consult with an experienced Alabama sidewall blowout lawyer today. Tire defect litigation lawyer Rick Morrison possesses a wealth of experience handling a wide range of truck accident cases, and he is prepared to fight for you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact The Morrison Law Firm at (334) 625-6128.