Truck Accidents Caused by Tire Blowouts
Posted on November 5, 2009
Filed Under Car and Auto Accidents |
Tire blow outs cause many of the accidents that involve trucks. Bits and pieces of truck tires are strewn along just about every highway in the United States. According to AAA-Foundation for Traffic Safety blown out tire remnants are the leading cause of road debris along the highways. They estimate that this tire debris is responsible for over 25000 accidents and at least 100 fatalities a year. While trucks are not responsible for all of this debris they do contribute a significant amount.
Most drivers have had the experience of driving behind a truck that has peeling tires. They try to get out of the way of black tire remnants flying through the air, they maneuver around the truck, some trying to alert the truck driver to the hazard his tires are causing other drivers. Some may alert law enforcement if they feel the truck driver is indifferent to the problems he is causing.
There are many reasons why tires go bad. These include tread separation, which weakens the tire until it begins to split and fall away. Another reason is underinflated tires. All drivers should make regular checks on their tires to make sure they are properly inflated. Truck drivers should always include this in their pre-trip checks and after they have traveled a set amount of miles.
Another reason tires destruct is because they are in poor condition in the first place. Many spare tires lay unused for years and are rotted by the time they are pulled out and out on a vehicle. Truck drivers must make sure that they have good spares available or change their tires if they appear to be worn.
Sometimes tires go bad and treads begin to burn due to a combination of high speeds and high temperatures. Trucks speeding down the highways can eventually build up so much heat and friction on the tires that the treads begin to burn and separate. High air temperature can accelerate this process. Blown out tires can happen on new tires that have little wear or tear, if the conditions are right.
Bad tires cause accidents in several ways. They can suddenly make a truck uncontrollable, sending it off the road or across lanes into other traffic. If the tire debris flies into the air it can obstruct visibility for all the vehicles in the area, including the truck driver. If the debris begins hitting other cars it can distract the driver and panic them, causing the driver to run off the road or collide with other vehicles.
Any of these incidents or accidents may bring about lawsuits. Investigators will have to determine who is liable for any legal or civil penalties. The costs can be high, especially if others were injured or died. This is why truck drivers must always practice good maintenance on their vehicles, making sure tires are in condition and properly inflated. They also need to change their driving habits and avoid excessive speeding that could lead to tire deterioration.
This article is not to be misconstrued as legal advice.
Additional Legal Site: If you would like to read more about truck accidents and tire blowouts visit the truck accident lawyers at Gordon & Elias, LLP.
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