Truck Tire Blowout Accident Lawyer

Accidents and collisions resulting from truck tire blowouts can cause severe and long-lasting damage to victims. If you have been hurt in this type of mishap, it is critical to contact a truck tire blowout accident lawyer.

All motor vehicle accidents are dangerous. But this is especially true of collisions involving large commercial trucks.

Because of their weight and size, these vehicles present unique hazards to other drivers and passengers on the roadways. If you’re wondering “What should I do if an 18-wheeler tire blowout hit my car?”, read on.

Below, we will discuss some of the most relevant issues to truck tire blowout accident lawsuits. Whatever the circumstances of your accident, make sure to reach out to a skilled personal injury attorney.

For trustworthy legal representation in Texas, look no further than Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law. Our experienced team will help you determine if you have grounds for a truck tire blowout accident lawsuit. Call our office today at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000.

What Is a Commercial Truck Tire Blowout?

Make Sure to Contact a Skilled Truck Tire Blowout Accident Lawyer

Commercial truck tires are very large and heavy. When a commercial truck tire loses pressure rapidly, it is called a “blowout.”

Tire blowouts are especially dangerous when the truck is traveling at a high speed. Interstate tire blowouts can result in catastrophic or fatal injuries.

When the tire loses pressure, the truck driver may lose the ability to control their vehicle. Fortunately, today’s truck tires are more reliable than past models. Still, tire blowouts can occur and create a dangerous situation for everyone on the road.

Even if you have never personally experienced a tire blowout, you have probably seen pieces of truck tires on the highway. These are evidence of previous tire blowouts.

What Causes a Semi-Truck Tire Blowout?

You May Be Owed Compensation After a Blowout Accident

Many different factors may contribute to a commercial truck tire blowout. The cause of the blowout in your accident case will be highly relevant.

In some instances, the cause of the blowout can help determine who is legally liable for the crash. Make sure to contact a truck tire blowout accident lawyer in the wake of any commercial vehicle collision.

Some of the most common causes of truck tire blowouts appear below.

Negligent Driver Behavior

In many cases, blowouts are the result of improper maintenance by the driver. A negligent truck driver may fail to properly inflate the tires.

Also, a driver may continue using a tire long after it’s safe to do so. For instance, if a driver fails to change a tire where the tread is overworn, it can lead to a blowout.

Whether a tire is improperly inflated or overworn, “tread separation” is a possible outcome. Tread separation occurs when the tread disconnects from the rest of the tire. This can cause a tire to lose pressure rapidly and explode.

Defective and Faulty Tires

Sometimes a blowout is caused by a fault or defect in the tire itself. Significant manufacturing defects in commercial truck tires can cause:

  • Sidewall zipper failure
  • Tread separation
  • Shredding of the tire
  • Bead failure.

Defects are more likely to lead to a tire blowout when a truck is driving in adverse conditions. These may include extreme weather, bumpy roadways, badly maintained roads, or roads covered in debris.

In some cases, defects and faults in truck tires result in product recalls. If a faulty truck tire causes you injury, you may have grounds for a successful truck tire blowout accident lawsuit.

Truck tire manufacturers and distributors have a responsibility to provide companies with safe and reliable products. When they fail to do so, they may be held legally liable for the resulting damages. In instances where a faulty tire causes an accident, the victim has the right to pursue a product liability claim.

Extreme Heat

Heat is an enormous factor in tire blowouts. When truckers drive for extended periods on hot pavement, it causes significant strain on the tires.

Prolonged periods of heat can result in tires exploding and causing accidents. In most of the U.S., heat-related tire blowouts tend to happen in the summer months. Specifically, the most blowouts happen between May and October. Because of this, these months have been called “tire blowout season.”

If you find yourself dealing with an accident caused by an exploding truck tire, contact a knowledgeable attorney immediately. Depending on the circumstances of your claim, you may be owed significant compensation.

Overloaded Trucks

Another common cause of commercial truck tire blowouts is overloaded cargo. When a truck is carrying too much cargo or has been loaded incorrectly, accidents and injuries become more likely.

Every state places clear restrictions on the weight that commercial trucks can haul. These restrictions are enforced when commercial trucks travel on the interstate highway system.

In the state of Texas, the weight restrictions on trucks hauling cargo are as follows:

  • Single-axle vehicles can haul 25,000 pounds
  • Two-axle vehicles can haul 46,000 pounds
  • Three-axle vehicles can haul 60,000 pounds
  • Four-axle vehicles can haul 70,000 pounds
  • Five-axle vehicles can haul 81,400 pounds.

It is crucial to speak with a knowledgeable truck accident attorney if you have been injured by one of these vehicles. If the commercial truck was overloaded, you may be owed compensation from the responsible party.

Incorrect Tires

Putting the wrong model of tire on a large commercial truck increases the likelihood of a blowout. This is especially true if the driver has used mismatched tires on the vehicle. This may cause the weight of the cargo to be unevenly distributed. In most cases, it is the responsibility of the driver or trucking company to ensure that the proper tires are placed on the commercial truck.

Improper Braking Practices

Brake failure can lead to situations that make tire blowouts likely. Also, improper braking practices can put undue pressure on the tires and cause damage over time.

For example, suppose a truck driver applies the brakes too much over the lifespan of their tires. Doing so can cause the tires’ tread to wear down quickly.

When traveling downhill, truck drivers should try not to rely on their brakes too much. Rather, they should downshift to reduce the speed of their vehicles.

If you are wondering, “What causes a semi-truck tire blowout?” consider all these factors. No matter the circumstances of your truck tire blowout accident, you should speak with a lawyer about your case.

For legal representation in the state of Texas, contact Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law today. Call us at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000.

Frequently Asked Questions for Tire Blowout Attorneys

As we noted, blowouts for commercial truck tires are less common than they used to be. Still, tire blowouts cause a large number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities each year across the country.

According to recent research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, tire failures caused over 600 deaths in a single year. Many more tire-related crashes led to injuries and property damage nationwide.

So, how common are truck tire blowouts? While not a leading cause of car accidents, they cause many people injuries and harm every year.

Like most other types of civil tort claims, there are two primary types of monetary damages available to truck accident victims. These two categories of damages are known as “economic” and “non-economic.”

Economic damages compensate the victim for their financial losses. Common examples include:

  • Property damage
  • Current and future medical bills
  • The cost of necessary medication or surgeries
  • In-home care costs
  • Lost wages and income from missed work
  • Loss of long-term earning ability.

Other types of damages do not result in financial losses for the victim. Payments for these types of harm are known as “non-economic” damages. Typical examples include payments to compensate for:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional turmoil and mental distress
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Loss of ability to enjoy activities
  • Decreased quality of life.

If a truck tire blowout accident results in the victim’s death, their estate representatives may have the right to file a wrongful death claim. These tort cases function similarly to personal injury claims. The decedent’s family may be able to recover associated losses, including funeral and burial costs.

Regardless of the circumstances or severity of your truck accident claim, contact a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. A skilled legal professional will help you fight for every penny of compensation you deserve.

Many different types of accidents and collisions can result from truck tire blowouts. There are four main categories of crashes that are caused by truck tire failure.

These include:

  • Rollover accidents when a truck flips
  • Cargo falling off the truck
  • Rear-end accidents when a truck is unable to stop
  • Head-on accidents when a truck driver loses control.

Each type of accident presents a unique set of dangers for other drivers and passengers.

When you hire a lawyer, they will handle every aspect of your legal claim. This includes:

  • Completing and filing legal paperwork
  • Calculating the value of your blowout claim
  • Ensuring that every relevant deadline is met
  • Determining which parties are legally liable for damages
  • Collecting relevant evidence to bolster your case
  • Negotiating forcefully on your behalf
  • Filing litigation, if necessary.

If you find yourself thinking, “An 18-wheeler tire blowout hit my car, and I don’t know what to do now,” call an experienced personal injury lawyer for a free consultation as soon as your schedule permits.

It’s helpful to get legal advice as soon as possible after a commercial truck accident. You will get an understanding of the viability and value of your potential claims, and also learn about some of the risks in trying to handle a claim on your own.

Why Choose Us?

When you need a truck accident lawyer in Texas, contact Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law. Call our office at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 today. Our team will fight diligently to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Attorney Terry Bryant

Attorney Terry BryantTerry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]