Commercial trucks carry loads weighing tens of thousands of pounds on massive tires, which can stand nearly four feet tall and weigh over 100 pounds each. When one of these massive tires fails, the results can be catastrophic for everyone on the road.
Multiple parties may be liable for a tire blowout, from the driver and their employer to maintenance crews, manufacturers, and cargo loaders.
A Milwaukee truck accident attorney can investigate these complex cases, determine which parties are responsible, and pursue the full compensation victims need to recover from such devastating crashes.
The Dangers of Truck Tire Blowouts
When a truck driver heads on the road, their tires should be in good working condition. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Tire blowouts can happen for many reasons; for example, rubber deteriorates over time, and older tires are more prone to sudden failure. Low tread depth reduces a tire’s ability to maintain traction and structural integrity, while overloaded trucks put excessive stress on tires, causing them to overheat and fail.
When a truck tire explodes, the driver can suddenly lose control of their massive vehicle and veer into other lanes, jackknife, or even roll over.
Debris from the failed tire can become dangerous projectiles that can shatter windshields, damage vehicles, and injure occupants. Drivers of passenger vehicles often have little time to react, leading to serious accidents and severe injuries.
Determining Fault: Driver, Trucking Company, or Someone Else?
If you were injured in a truck accident caused by a blowout, you have the right to pursue legal action.
Wisconsin law allows victims of commercial vehicle collisions to pursue lawsuits against the individuals or entities who caused the crash.
When it comes to a tire blowout, multiple parties may be at fault:
- Truck Driver: The driver may be at fault if they failed to conduct pre-trip inspections, ignored visible tire damage, or continued driving despite knowing about tire problems.
- Trucking Company: Employers can be liable for inadequate maintenance policies, pressuring drivers to ignore safety issues, or failing to replace worn tires according to industry standards.
- Tire Manufacturer: If defective tires or manufacturing flaws cause premature failure, the tire company may be responsible for any resulting accidents and injuries.
- Maintenance Company: Third-party maintenance providers who improperly install, repair, or inspect tires may bear liability for subsequent failures.
- Cargo Loading Company: Overloading trucks can cause blowouts, making the loading company potentially responsible for damages.
Determining fault in a tire blowout truck accident requires extensive investigation and knowledge of both trucking regulations and product liability law.
These investigations often involve analyzing compliance records, examining electronic logging data, and coordinating with forensic experts who can determine the exact cause of tire failure.
Get Legal Help for Your Tire Blowout Claim
When a truck accident happens, you should be focused on getting better—not fighting insurance companies or navigating complex legal procedures. In these situations, you need a Wisconsin truck accident lawyer from Cannon & Dunphy S.C. on your side.
An attorney will have the resources and experience necessary to conduct a thorough investigation and identify all potential defendants, all while building a strong case on your behalf.
They will examine maintenance records, inspect the failed tire, and work with accident reconstruction experts to determine exactly what went wrong. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today to learn more about your options and begin your legal journey.