How Often are Truck Accidents Caused by Exploding Tires?

Exploding tires are dangerous no matter what type of vehicle a motorist is operating when it occurs. However, tire blowouts become especially dangerous when they occur on an 18-wheeler or similar commercial vehicle. This is because a large truck can quickly spiral out of control and strike several drivers in the vicinity of the truck when the tires gave out. If you or a family member was a victim of a serious trucking accident, you should consult with an experienced Montgomery tire blowout lawyer today. The Morrison Law Firm is prepared to help you file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent driver or trucking company that was responsible for your accident. Tire blowout lawyer Rick Morrison is here to explain how often truck accidents occur due to exploding tires.

Truck Tire Blowout Statistics

A tire blowout often occurs because of an issue with tire air pressure. In a recent study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it was determined that every year approximately 16,000 people suffer fatal injuries due to commercial vehicle accidents. The NHTSA estimated that out of those 16,000 fatalities, truck tire blowouts account for about 200 crashes that killed 223 people.

The NHTSA also noted that many truck tire blowout accidents were not caused simply because a tire lacked air pressure, but also because the driver of the truck committed some error. In certain cases, the trucking company and the tire manufacturer may play a role in causing the accident.

To learn more about truck tire blowouts and how they occur, you should continue reading and consider speaking with an experienced Alabama tire defect lawyer today.

Common Causes of Truck Tire Explosions

A truck tire explosion can be the result of several different causes. As mentioned, these accidents often occur when the air pressure in a tire is not correct. However, many tire blowouts are not caused by just low tire pressure. The following is a list of common causes of truck tire explosions.

Inadequate Truck Maintenance

The average truck driver will travel hundreds of miles every week to pick up or make deliveries. With this amount of traveling, it is reasonable to perform routine maintenance on a truck and the truck’s tires. Unfortunately, some trucking companies may not perform adequate maintenance on their fleet of vehicles. This can result in trucks being equipped with tires that may be underinflated or tires that are severely worn down. A trucking company that does not perform maintenance on their vehicles may be held liable for the injuries of an innocent motorist whose injuries could have been avoided.

Trailer Overload

Trucking companies earn their money by transporting cargo for their customers. When a trailer is fully loaded with items to be delivered, this can make a truck maneuver slower than usual. Some unscrupulous trucking companies may push the limit of a trailer so that they could earn more profits from deliveries. When the maximum weight of a truck trailer is exceeded, this can result in a truck tire explosion due to all the added pressure on a tire.

The additional trailer weight is hazardous to passenger vehicles because it will make it easier for a truck to crush other vehicles that may only weigh a few tons. To put that into perspective, an overloaded truck trailer can reach weights well over 50,000 pounds. If a truck of this size collides with a passenger vehicle, it is very likely that a fatal injury may occur.

Speeding

Nearly every person has been on the highway next to a large truck that appears to be driving well over the speed limit. This can be frightening for a motorist that is driving next to a truck because if the driver were to lose control, a serious trucking accident might occur. Unfortunately, some truck drivers will drive over the speed limit while being completely unaware that their tires may be overinflated or underinflated. Speeding and hitting debris in the road can cause a tire blowout if the tires were already extremely worn down.

There are many other causes of truck tire blowouts not listed here. For example, defective tires sold by a manufacturer often play a role in many truck tire blowout cases. Our firm is here to help you file a claim against any party responsible for your accident.

Our Alabama Truck Accident Attorney is Ready to Fight for You

If you or a family member suffered a serious injury due to a truck tire blowout accident, you should contact an experienced Alabama truck accident attorney today. Personal injury attorney Rick Morrison possesses decades of legal experience litigating various types of tire blowout accidents against every major tire manufacturer. The Morrison Law Firm will help you pursue compensation against a negligent trucking company or tire manufacturer that caused your injuries. You do not have to fight your tire explosion case alone, contact the Morrison Law Firm at (334) 625-6128 for a free legal consultation.