When we talk about trucking accidents, our minds usually leap to a scenario where an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or another large commercial rig slams into an unsuspecting driver on the highway. After all, these are the most common forms of devastating accidents, and they are traumatic, confusing, and complex for the victims and their families. That said, they do not represent all forms of trucking accidents. Truck tire blowouts are just as common on today’s roadways and should be discussed more often.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimates that truck tire blowouts are responsible for approximately 8,000 trucking accidents each year. Knowing how these accidents occur and what to do if you can’t avoid one could save your life.

What Is a Truck Tire Blowout, and How Does It Happen?

In the most simplified terms, a truck tire blowout is when a truck tire suddenly fails (usually due to a rapid loss of air pressure), bursts or explodes, and causes the driver to lose complete control of the truck. Sometimes, a truck tire blowout could cause the truck to slam into your vehicle or suddenly roll over and crash with little time for you and other drivers to react and get out of the way. In other situations, it can create a wild and frightening scene where large rubber tire remnants or even the entire tire could become dislodged from the truck and come barreling down the highway uncontrollably in your direction.

Truck tire blowouts happen for various reasons, including but not limited to the following factors:

Tire overinflation or low tire pressure
The truck is overloaded, placing unnecessary pressure on the tires
Road and weather hazards (ex: potholes, debris)
Tire age and condition (ex: worn treads)
Truck mechanical issues

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that truck tire blowouts and other tire failures are a factor in over 11,000 crashes and 200 fatalities each year—mainly because they happen so quickly and are challenging to avoid.

What Can I Do if I’m the Victim of a Truck Tire Blowout?

If you’ve been involved in a truck tire blowout, there are steps you can take to ensure your safety during and following the accident.

Don’t panic — We know this is easier said than done. That said, try to stay calm and avoid slamming on the brakes or rapidly accelerating. Knee-jerk reactions can often escalate the damage involved in these types of accidents. Instead, maintain vehicle speed until it is safe to stop and check on yourself and any passengers you have in the car with you.
Call 911 — Your health and safety are the priority immediately after any trucking accident. If possible, move to a safe location away from the accident and existing traffic and either call 911 or have someone report the accident on your behalf. Even if you are not in pain or feel as though your injuries are minor, it is better to relax and allow medical personnel and law enforcement to help. Injuries such as whiplash or internal trauma may not be evident at first and could cause additional complications if left untreated. Plus, a medical evaluation is critical for linking your injuries to the accident.
Cooperate with police and document the scene — Working with police and first responders allows them to accurately document what happened and how (to the best of your knowledge). If you are physically able, you or a loved one should also gather as much evidence as possible. This can include cell phone photos and videos of vehicle damage, injuries, license plate numbers, the truck’s company name, road conditions, location markers, weather conditions, etc.
Collect names of witnesses — More than likely, first responders and police will gather information and record statements from any eyewitnesses. But pointing them in the right direction never hurts.
Call a truck accident lawyer — Navigating a truck tire blowout accident requires more than general knowledge. You deserve specialized legal expertise to determine how this happened, who is responsible, and what should happen next.

Call Keys Law Offices Today!!

Large truck accidents can occur for various reasons, including fatigue, distracted driving, speeding, inadequate training, and drug and alcohol use. Sometimes, the truck company can be liable for the accident if it fails to maintain or inspect the truck properly or violates federal or state regulations. At Keys Law Offices, we are dedicated to representing victims of truck accidents and their families, including those involving semi-trucks.

We understand the complex legal and regulatory issues involved in truck accident cases, and we know how to investigate and litigate these cases to ensure that our clients get the compensation they deserve. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.

Our staff is always available. Call us today!