Truck drivers travel many more miles per year than the average motorist. This is perhaps why tire blowouts are much more likely to happen to tractor-trailer operators more so than any other type of driver.
Tire blowouts are very dangerous. They happen far less often than flats though. These usually take place while a motorist is driving their vehicle at a high rate of speed. Tire stress can increase dramatically when trucks exceed 75 miles per hour (MPH).
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) data shows that at least 16,000 people died in truck and commercial bus accidents between 2009 and 2013. At least 200 of those incidents were caused by tire blowouts. These incidents alone resulted in 223 deaths.
Motorists that experience blowouts tend to suddenly lose control of the vehicle and veer off the road. This series of events can cause a trucker to spontaneously collide with other vehicles. Victims in these cases should seek out a Houston car accident lawyer to help with their claim.
Tire blowouts are generally the result of poor maintenance. Worn and defective tires are more prone to blowouts, especially in hazardous weather conditions. If an accident occurs due to a defective auto part, victims should speak with a product liability lawyer for their case.
Certain driving conditions that can increase the possibility of a blowout occurring include inclement weather, potholes, excessive braking, mismatched tires with uneven tread patterns, over or under-inflated tires and hot weather. The wrong size tires can be hazardous too; they must be the regulation size for the truck.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publishes a monthly report on defective or recalled products and parts. The NHTSA expects tractor-trailer operators to regularly inspect their trucks to make sure that they meet all safety requirements.
Both tractor-trailer and passenger vehicle operators can get hurt when trucks experience blowouts. Most of these causalities occur because the trucker loses control of their vehicle when this happens. You may be entitled to compensation if you suffer injuries in an incident such as this here in Houston. A Houston truck accident attorney can advise you of your right to sue the negligent trucker, trucking company or even the tire manufacturer if you’ve been injured in such a crash here in Texas.
