What Causes Tire Sidewall Blowouts in Truck Accidents?

Tire sidewall blowouts can be the result of several different circumstances. When a sidewall blowout occurs on a truck that is traveling at a high rate of speed, a truck driver could lose control of the vehicle and cause a serious accident. If you or a family member was the victim of a serious truck accident, you should consult with an experienced Montgomery tire sidewall blowout accident attorney today. The Morrison Law Firm is prepared to help you file a case against a negligent truck driver and their employer for an accident that could have been avoided. Our firm is here to explain what causes tire sidewall blowouts in truck accidents.

5 Common Causes of Tire Sidewall Blowouts

It can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint how a tire sidewall blowout occurred. This is because some sidewall blowouts can be the result of several circumstances combined. The following is a list of the common causes of truck tire sidewall blowouts.

Speeding

Many of tires that 18-wheelers and other large trucks are equipped with are designed to operate at a consistent speed that is not greater than 75 miles per hour. This is not a coincidence as much of the United States has posted speed limits that often do not go above 60-75 mph.

Unfortunately, some truck drivers are not aware of the dangers of exceeding the speed limit. With the heat generated from traveling at a high rate of speed and the disregard of safety guidelines, it easy to understand how a truck tire sidewall blowout may occur.

There are a few precautions that trucking companies could take to avoid a blowout due to speeding, like installing a speed governor. Failure to take adequate precautions can help you prove how the trucking company acted negligently.

Poor Maintenance

Poor maintenance is another leading cause of sidewall blowout. For example, even a small hole in a tire’s sidewall may lead to the tire bursting later on. A tire leak will slowly release air until the structural integrity of the tire is compromised, resulting in a sidewall blowout.

Fixing tire leaks is not the only type of maintenance that should be performed on tires. Due to the number of miles that a truck driver will travel during a work week, truck tires should be frequently serviced. If a tire becomes underinflated due to driving too many miles or if an employee mistakenly overfills the tire with air, this can also cause a sidewall blowout.

A trucking company that fails to perform adequate maintenance on their vehicles may be held liable if a sidewall blowout causes a trucking accident.

Road Debris

Practically every person that has traveled on the highway has observed road debris lining the edge of the road. In some circumstances, road debris could end up in the middle of the road where motorists will have to swerve to avoid it.

If a truck driver is driving too quickly to notice debris on the road, the debris could cause damage to the truck tires and cause a blowout. For example, if a truck driver runs over a piece of metal left over from a car crash, it could puncture the sidewall of the tire.

Truck drivers should also be wary of speeding over potholes and other road defects. Hitting a pothole with a tire that is already damaged or underinflated could easily cause a blowout.

Defective Tires

Recalls by tire manufacturers are a common occurrence. A tire manufacturer will issue a recall when they become aware of a defect with a particular brand of tires. For example, if a manufacturer discovers that the tire sidewalls on some of their tires are not properly melded to the tread and steel belt, this is a serious cause for concern.

A trucking company may not be made aware of the existence of a tire defect that would allow them to replace the tires before it causes an accident. If a truck tire blowout were caused by the negligent actions of a tire manufacturer, you would have a claim against that manufacturer for your injuries.

Trailer Overload

Trailer overload is when a trucking company puts more objects in a tractor-trailer than the vehicle is designed to handle. When this happens, it will put additional strain on the tire sidewalls that can cause a blowout.

It is also important to note that an overloaded truck is capable of causing a lot more damage to a passenger vehicle. As many large trucks weigh upwards of 40,000 pounds, exceeding the recommended loading weight can turn the truck into a dangerous weapon.

Work with Our Alabama Tire Defect Litigation Lawyer Today

If you or a family member was seriously injured during an 18-wheeler accident, you should contact an experienced Alabama tire defect litigation lawyer. Personal injury lawyer Rick Morrison possesses over two decades of legal experience, and he is prepared to help you pursue the legal compensation you deserve for your injuries. You do not have to fight your injury case alone, call The Morrison Law Firm at (334) 513-1323 for a free legal consultation. You can also contact us online.