Alabama Attorney for Big Rig Accidents Caused by Tire Tread Separation

Big rig accidents are some of the most dangerous types of car accidents due to the size and weight of a big rig. When the tire tread on a big rig comes apart, it becomes likely that the driver of the truck will lose control of the vehicle and collide with other vehicles on the road. If you or a family member was the victim of a serious big rig accident, you should consult with an experienced Alabama big rig accident attorney.

The Morrison Law Firm acknowledges how a serious injury in a trucking accident could affect your personal and professional life, and we are here to help you pursue compensation for your injury. Our firm has served residents of Montgomery, Birmingham, and across Alabama and we would be proud to represent you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, call The Morrison Law Firm at (334) 513-1323, or contact us online.

Common Causes of Tire Tread Separation

Tire tread separation is when the tread of a tire that is intended to grip the road detaches from the steel belt. Various circumstances can explain tread separation on a truck tire. However, tire tread separation is often the result of the following issues.

Manufacturer Error

Steel-belted radial tires are the most popular type of tire that manufacturers develop. This is likely because it is easier to bond rubber to the steel frame of the tire. However, some manufacturers have not perfected the process of bonding rubber to steel. As a result, they may produce defective tires that are prone to tread separation.

Under other circumstances, a tire tread could separate because a manufacturer melded foreign objects or other impurities into the rubber of the tire. Screws and disposable gloves are just a few of the foreign objects that have been found melded into a tire.

While tire manufacturers could issue a recall on defective tires they distributed, a trucking company may not be made aware of the recall until after a serious accident occurs. In this scenario, the tire manufacturer would be liable for the accident and your injuries.

Speeding

Tires used on big rigs are typically designed to be used at speeds that do not exceed 75 miles per hour. However, some truck drivers will drive over 75 mph placing more strain on the tires and endangering the lives of other motorists.

If a truck driver happens to hit debris or a pothole in the road when traveling at speeds near 75 mph, it is possible the force of the impact will cause the tread to separate from the steel belt.

Tire Wear and Tear

Truck drivers are expected to drive hundreds of miles during a work week. With this much vehicle usage, it is reasonable to assume that the truck driver and the trucking company would perform frequent maintenance on the vehicle and the tires.

Tires that have been used for an excessive number of miles should be replaced with new tires. Unfortunately, some trucking companies will not place emphasis on ensuring their fleet of vehicles is operating efficiently.

Under other circumstances, a trucking company may attempt to repair a tire and instead end up causing an even bigger problem. For example, if a plug and patch is incorrectly performed to repair a flat tire, it may cause the tread to slowly separate until the tire blows out.

This is not an exhaustive list. There are other causes of tire tread separation that is not listed above. To learn more about tire tread separation and filing a personal injury lawsuit for a trucking accident, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Alabama personal injury lawyer.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Trucking Accident

If you need to file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent trucking company or tire manufacturer, you should ensure that you file the lawsuit as soon as possible. In Alabama, personal injury lawsuits have a two-year filing deadline. The reason for this is the statute of limitations that dictate the amount of time that a plaintiff has to file a particular type of case.

Personal injury claims operate on a theory of negligence. This means that you must prove that the defendant owed you some duty of care and their actions breached that duty of care. It is also required that you suffer some type of injury that was caused by the breach of duty. In order to prevail in the case, the plaintiff must prove every element of negligence.

Our Alabama Tire Defect Litigation Lawyer is Prepared to Represent You

If you or a family member was injured due to the negligence of a big rig driver, you should contact an experienced Alabama tire defect litigation lawyer. Personal injury lawyer Rick Morrison has over two decades of legal experience, and he is ready to fight for you. You do not have to handle your injury case alone, call The Morrison Law Firm at (334) 513-1323.