How Often are Truck Accidents Caused by Exploding Tires?

Tire blowouts happen all the time on the road. However, when these incidents involve a huge commercial truck, it poses an especially big danger to everyone around that truck. Truck accidents caused by exploding tires happen far more often than you might think.

When a tire explodes on a commercial truck or 18-wheeler, it poses a huge risk to everyone else sharing the road with the truck. Due to the massive size of these vehicles, the driver can quickly and easily lose control while driving. The truck can sway out of its lane and hit not only one other vehicle but multiple, which can cause serious injuries to everyone involved. 

Anyone who has been involved in an accident that involved a commercial truck should immediately speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer who can explain their options.

Truck Accidents Caused By Exploding Tires

Usually, when a truck’s tire explodes, it’s due to a problem with air pressure. According to a study performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, around 16,000 people are killed each year as a result of an accident involving commercial trucks. Out of that number, the NHTSA estimates that around 200 occurred as a result of tire explosions. Those crashes killed 223 people.

In addition, the NHTSA also reported that many truck accidents caused by exploding tires do not occur as a result of poor air pressure. Rather, it claimed that many of the crashes happened due to driver error. There are also instances where the trucking company or manufacturer of the truck’s tires are at fault for the accident occurring.

What Can Cause a Truck’s Tire to Explode?

There are several potential causes for a truck tire explosion to happen. While air pressure in the tire could be a reason, there are other factors that may result in a tire explosion. They include the following:

• Poor truck maintenance: Truck drivers are required to drive very far distances on a daily basis. As a result, proper tire maintenance may not always be done by the trucking company. As a result, truck tires may be under-inflated or significantly worn out. This can result in a blowout that can cause an accident.
• Trailer overload: Truckers are required to transport cargo, but there are occasions when the truck’s trailer may be overloaded. If the weight the truck is carrying is greater than its maximum, there can be a problem like a tire explosion. This can make for an especially dangerous situation.
• Speeding: Unfortunately, some truckers speed in order to make their quota or get to their destination faster. This can cause strain on the truck’s tires and lead to a blowout and an accident.
• Road hazards: Sometimes, a truck’s tires may suffer damage if there is a hazard on the road. A tire can become punctured or completely torn, which can affect the way the truck is traveling. The trucker can lose control of the vehicle and end up in an accident.

Negligence in Truck Accidents Caused By Tire Explosions

In many cases, negligence may be the reason behind a truck accident caused by a tire explosion. Such accidents can be very serious and cause grave injuries or even deaths. Anyone who has been a victim of a truck accident caused by a tire explosion or has a loved one who was a victim should retain an attorney and hold the responsible party liable for their injuries and other damages.

There are certain elements that must be proven in a lawsuit that negligence was a factor in the accident. Whether it’s the trucker, the trucking company or the tire manufacturer who’s to blame, the following must be proven:

• A duty of care was owed
• That duty of care was breached
• The breach of duty of care caused the victim to suffer damages

You may be able to recover compensation for your medical care, ongoing treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. Speaking to an attorney is the best way to assess your damages.