Because of the massive size and weight of commercial trucks, any accident involving one of these vehicles has the potential to cause significant damage and injuries, especially if one of the truck’s tires bursts. When pursuing compensation after a truck accident it is important to understand who is considered responsible for the tire blowout and how you can recover damages. Speak with a San Mateo County, California truck accident lawyer today for skilled legal advice and representation.
What is a Tire Blowout?
A tire blowout occurs when the tire of a car or automobile suddenly bursts or pops, generally after losing air pressure. While this can happen to any type of tire or vehicle, when a truck’s tire blows out it can create catastrophic damage and severe accidents.
After a tire blowout, the truck will likely slow down and veer off to either side of the road, causing the driver to lose control. They may drift into other lanes, hit into neighboring cars, roll over, etc. These types of blowouts are often caused by old and worn tires, product defects, underinflated tires, overinflated tires, punctures, poor road conditions, and more.
Who is Responsible for an Accident Caused by a Truck Tire Blowout?
If you were involved in an accident that was caused by a truck’s tire blowing out, you will likely want to seek compensation for your medical and other expenses. Before filing a claim or lawsuit it is important to understand who is liable for the damages. Below are some entities that can be held responsible for a truck tire blowout accident.
- The truck driver, if they neglected their duty of inspecting the vehicle for safety hazards before getting on the road
- The trucking company, if they were negligent in performing inspections or maintenance on the vehicle, if they failed to properly train the driver, or if they overloaded the truck, etc.
- The manufacturing company, if the tire had a design defect that made it unsafe to drive on or if the product was manufactured incorrectly
- The local government, if extreme or unsafe road conditions directly caused or contributed to the blowout
- A mechanic shop, if they installed the tires improperly or installed worn or used tires
Any individual or company whose actions contributed to the tire bursting can be held liable for the damages caused by the blowout. It can be difficult to prove liability in an accident like this as procuring enough evidence to demonstrate how a company’s actions caused the crash can be complex. That is why it is crucial to obtain skilled representation in the form of an experienced personal injury lawyer when filing a claim or lawsuit. Reach out to an attorney today for more information.
