When was the last time you spotted a piece of a blown-out tire on a highway shoulder? If you see a part of a tire on the side of the road, it’s a safe bet someone had a bad blowout accident.
A tire blowout can trigger a chain of collisions as the driver attempts to regain control of their vehicle. This type of accident is compounded when a truck is involved. If a semi rig traveling at the speed limit has a blowout, it would need the approximate length of two football fields to come to a complete stop.
A lot of damage can happen in that time.
Every tire blowout is an unexpected accident, but could it be prevented? That is a key question to ask if you are the unfortunate victim of a truck collision following a tire blowout. If that crash with a truck caused damage to your car or personal injury, you’re entitled to seek a remedy.
This is the exact type of situation where the experience of a Gulfport truck accident attorney will prove invaluable.
The attorneys at Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC have a proven track record of success helping clients who have been the victims of truck accidents, including tire blowouts. Our support begins with a free case evaluation. If we agree to work together, we’ll perform a deep investigation into the accident.
The results of that investigation will reveal what happened and who should be held responsible.
What Causes Tire Blowouts?
Tire blowouts in tractor-trailers are a major concern for Mississippi drivers. You don’t want to be caught driving anywhere near one of these trucks when they experience this type of catastrophe.
Discovering the root cause of a truck tire blowout will not only improve safety, but it will also support any claim you might make against the truck driver and trucking company.
Here are some of the potential causes for a truck tire blowout:
Improper Inflation
Truckers are required to inspect their rigs before starting any job. Checking tire pressure is at the top of that inspection list. When tires are either overinflated or underinflated, they are prone to a blowout.
If a tire is overinflated, it can become rigid, minimizing its ability to absorb impact. On the other hand, an underinflated tire can generate excessive heat due to increased friction. That can lead to structural weaknesses.
Excessive Wear and Tear
A long-haul truck can average up to 600 miles a day. That means a truck’s tires are going to wear out a lot faster than the tires on your SUV. Just as with any tire, when a truck’s tires are worn down, it reduces the ability to grip the road and leaves the tires vulnerable to bursting.
Heavy Loads
Every tire has a recommended weight capacity. If a truck carries a load heavier than its tires are rated for, it puts additional pressure on the tires. That can spell disaster, especially on extended drives with those loads.
Road Hazards
As any Mississippi driver knows, potholes are sometimes unavoidable. If you can spot one ahead, you might be able to avoid it, but a truck slamming into a pothole could lead to a tire blowout.
That can also happen if the rig rides over debris, sharp objects, or uneven surfaces.
Improper Maintenance
It is the responsibility of a trucking company to maintain its fleet. If that company neglects regular inspections and maintenance on its trucks, it can lead to trouble. That would also mean the trucking company can be held liable for the blowout accident.
Extreme Weather
We all know how hot it gets in the summer in Mississippi. Constant exposure to intense heat can quickly degrade a tire. That same heat expands the air inside the tire, causing a buildup of pressure.
Manufacturing Defects
Although manufacturing defects are a less common cause of tire blowouts, they do occur. That happens when flaws occur during the production process, leading to structural weaknesses. These defects may include tires with uneven treads or weak sidewalls. Typically, if there is a manufacturing defect, it will affect hundreds, if not thousands, of tires at once.
Any one of those factors can contribute to a tire blowout. When that happens, a truck can careen down the highway and possibly jackknife or rollover.
That can cause devastating damage across the highway.
How Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC Can Help After a Truck Tire Blowout Accident
Truck tire blowout accidents are rarely straightforward. These cases often involve multiple liable parties, such as trucking companies, tire manufacturers, maintenance providers, or cargo loaders. The accidents require thorough investigations to determine exactly what went wrong. That investigation can also involve state and federal agencies that regulate the trucking industry.
This will generate a lot of documentation and evidence. That is why having a knowledgeable personal injury attorney on your side from the start is so important.
At Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC, our legal team understands the complexities of serious truck accident claims. We know how to identify all responsible parties, preserve key evidence, and, when necessary, work with accident reconstruction experts to build a strong, well-documented case. We also understand the full impact these crashes can have on your life. You’ll be facing mounting medical bills and lost income. There can also be challenges with long-term pain, disability, and emotional distress.
Our goal is to help our clients pursue a settlement that truly covers all their financial burdens.
When you work with our firm, we handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies, push back against lowball settlement offers, and prepare every case as if it will go to trial. Our goal is to protect your rights and position you for the best possible outcome, so you can focus on your recovery and your future.
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck tire blowout accident, you owe it to yourself to contact Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC today to schedule a consultation. We will review your case and explain your options for pursuing a claim.
We want to hear what happened.
