Semi-truck tire blowouts are a major safety hazard on Arkansas's roads and highways. They can happen suddenly, result in serious and fatal truck accidents, and cause widespread damage.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) Large Truck Crash Causation Study shows that around 8,000 semi-trucks experience tire blowouts each year across the United States. Most of these tire blowouts on semi-trucks occur due to:
- Tire over-inflation: Overinflated tires can stretch beyond their capacity due to the combined heat from the sun, asphalt, and friction, leading to a breaking point.
- Low tire pressure: Underinflated tires endure excessive stress on their internal components, causing heat buildup, rubber cracking, and potential explosions.
- Cargo loads that exceed weight capacity: Overloading trucks, a frequent practice in the trucking industry, places undue pressure on tires, risking blowouts even in tires that are otherwise in good condition.
- Tire wear and tear: Regular wear and tear from continuous operation can render tires vulnerable to damage from road irregularities like potholes.
Types of semi-truck accidents caused by tire blowouts
Semi-truck tire blowouts often lead to the following types of truck accidents:
- Rear-end collisions: A sudden tire blowout can cause a truck to lose control and potentially crash in the back of another vehicle, especially on a high-speed road.
- Head-on collisions: In rarer cases, a truck may cross into oncoming traffic due to a tire blowout. This can cause head-on collisions with other vehicles.
- Rollover accidents: A tire blowout can lead to a rollover, especially if it happens at a high speed or in a curve. Semi-trucks have a higher center of gravity. This makes them more susceptible to rolling over when destabilized.
- Jackknife accidents: This type of truck accident occurs when the trailer of a truck swings out and forms an angle with the cab in the shape of a jackknife. A tire blowout in the rear tires can cause the trailer to skid off the road and lose control.
Preventing semi-truck tire blowouts
Truck drivers and trucking companies have a duty of care to uphold on Arkansas roads. That includes preventing semi-truck tire blowouts. For truck drivers, that responsibility includes:
- Thoroughly inspecting tires before every trip.
- Avoiding cargo overloads.
- Maintaining proper tire pressure.
- Driving carefully.
For trucking companies, preventing tire blowouts should include:
- Using quality tires.
- Regularly inspecting and maintaining tires.
- Replacing worn-out or damaged tires.
- Educating drivers on tire safety.
- Establishing a reporting system for tire hazards.
- Monitoring and controlling load weights.
Truck accident lawyers you can count on when it matters most
Truck accidents caused by semi-truck tire blowouts can have severe consequences. These types of accidents are also highly complex, as they can involve multiple at-fault parties and crash victims. For example, the truck driver, trucking company, or tire manufacturer can be at fault for a truck accident. Additionally, a single truck accident can cause multiple injuries or deaths. The last thing you want to do is navigate the process of filing a claim on your own, especially since the other side has teams of investigators and attorneys looking out for their best interests.
That's where the experienced Arkansas truck accident lawyers at McDaniel Law Firm come in. We know how to investigate negligent truck drivers, trucking companies, and other parties that may have contributed to the wreck. We understand the tactics trucking companies use to hide wrongdoing and reduce liability, and we don't stand for them.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck accident, contact us online or call our Jonesboro law office for a free consultation. We'll go over your potential legal options and provide honest answers to any questions you bring to the table.
