Tire blowouts are a leading cause of truck accidents across the United States. When a commercial truck tire suddenly deflates at highway speeds, it can have devastating consequences. The massive weight and momentum of a loaded semi-truck make it extremely challenging for even experienced drivers to maintain control when a tire fails. Unfortunately, Kansas sees far too many serious wrecks due to tire blowouts each year.
What Causes Tires to Blow Out on Trucks?
There are several reasons truck tires experience blowouts:
Underinflation
Truckers are required by law to properly inflate their tires. However, some fail to stay on top of tire pressure while out on the road. Driving on underinflated tires causes excessive heat buildup and flexing stress in the sidewalls, leading to sudden air loss.
Overloading
Exceeding the tire’s weight rating also generates internal heat and stress. Overloaded semi-trucks are at very high risk of blowouts.
Improper Maintenance
As tires age and wear down, their internal structure weakens. Cracks and bulges in the sidewall can lead to air leakage and blowouts. Trucking companies must regularly inspect tires and replace them before they reach unsafe conditions.
Road Hazards
Debris on highways, such as loose retreads from other trucks, can puncture tires when run over at speed. Potholes and jagged pavement edges also damage tires over time. Slowing down and avoiding road hazards reduces blowout risk.
Speeding
Higher speeds increase friction and flex heat in the tires, accelerating wear and failure. Truck speed limits help protect against blowouts.
The Dangers of Tire Blowouts at Highway Speeds
When an 18-wheeler experiences a tire blowout at 55+ mph, the results are often catastrophic:
- The truck will pull sharply to the side as the blown tire loses air pressure and grip on the road. This can cause a rollover accident.
- If the driver over-corrects their steering in reaction to the blowout, the truck may jackknife or spin out.
- Blown pieces of tire can fly off at high speeds, crashing through windshields of nearby vehicles.
- Losing a steer tire impairs the driver’s ability to control the truck.
- With half its drive wheel traction gone, acceleration and braking ability is compromised.
- Coming to a safe stop from highway speed with a blown tire is very difficult.
- Nearby motorists may crash into the struggling truck or get hit by debris.
In short, tire blowouts on loaded tractor-trailers can initiate deadly multi-vehicle accidents. Drivers have mere seconds to react at highway velocities.
Liability for Tire Blowout Crashes
When a tire failure leads to a truck crash, injured victims have legal rights to pursue compensation. Liability usually falls on:
- The truck driver, if speeding or improperly maintaining tires contributed. Drivers are responsible for inspecting their tires before trips and stopping to check tire condition during long hauls. Driving on visibly damaged tires or ignoring tire pressure warnings can be grounds for liability if a blowout occurs.
- The trucking company, if systematically negligent maintenance caused unsafe tires. Trucking companies must establish proper tire inspection protocols and replacement schedules. If their policies fail to adequately detect and replace worn or damaged tires before blowouts occur, the company can be held liable.
- The tire dealer or retreader, if faulty materials or workmanship caused the blowout. Tire manufacturers can be sued if design flaws or production defects predictably cause premature failures and blowouts. Retreaders also must properly inspect and repair casings before applying new tread. Use of faulty materials or shoddy retreading work could make them legally responsible if their tire blows out unexpectedly.
- The mechanic or technician, if improper tire service caused the failure. If a tire was recently installed or repaired, the shop that did the work may be liable if e.g. lug nuts were left loose. Improper repairs like plugging sidewall damage that should have been replaced can also lead to blowouts.
- The road maintenance company, if poor road conditions contributed. Excessive potholes or debris on the road that could reasonably cause or contribute to tire damage may also establish shared liability. Trucking companies pay substantial fuel taxes for road maintenance and have a right to expect safe conditions.
Experienced truck accident attorneys can investigate the cause of a blown tire and identify all liable parties in the chain of responsibility.
Speak to a Kansas Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one were harmed by a semi-truck crash caused by a tire blowout in Kansas, contact the expert attorneys at Monge & Associates for a free consultation. With 32 offices in 19 states, including Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska, our firm has the resources and knowledge to handle truck accident claims nationwide. Call (888) 477-0597 now to learn your legal options for maximum compensation. Don’t let a negligent trucking company escape liability for endangering your safety on our roads.