Who Is Liable In An Accident Involving A Tire Blowout

Accidents involving larger commercial truck tire blowouts can be devastating. It is not uncommon for these incidents to result in significant injuries and property damage, and those involved should have a way to recover compensation. Here, we want to discuss who could be held liable in the event a semi-truck tire blows out and causes an accident, and how a Lexington accident lawyer can help.

How do Truck Tire Blowouts Occur?

You have likely seen larger truck tires on the side of the road, particularly if you travel on the highway or freeway. The reality is that these tires weigh a lot, and they can cause significant property damage or injuries and the event they blow out. There are various causes of larger truck tire blowouts, including the following:

• High temperature. More truck tire blowouts are likely to occur when the weather heats up. As the temperature of the roadway increases, and as larger truck drivers are operating across longer distances, the likelihood of a tire blowout increase significantly.
• Underinflation. Truck drivers and companies must maintain adequate air pressure in each tire of the truck. This air pressure is crucial for trucks carrying any cargo on board. If a tire is underinflated, the internal parts of the tire wheel will become flexed beyond their capacity.
• Overloading a tire. Just like underinflation is a problem for tires, so is overinflation. When there is too much air put into a tire, it is much more likely to flex beyond its capacity and subsequently blowout.
• Potholes. The roadway conditions play a major role in the health and well-being of a truck tire. If there are rough roadway conditions or potholes, this could lead to cuts in the tire that eventually lead to a blowout.
• Slow death of the tire. Failing to adequately inspect and maintain tires can also lead to blowouts. This includes truck drivers or companies failing to replace tires or failing to engage in proper repairs.

Who is Liable for a Semi-Truck Tire Blowout?

There may be variety of parties who could be held responsible for a truck tire blowout, particularly if the blowout leads to property damage or injuries. We will typically find that liability will fall to the manufacturer of the tire or the owner of the truck.

Truck drivers, truck companies, and truck owner-operators are held to a different standard of care. They are required to ensure that their vehicles are inspected and maintained properly, and they must keep documentation about this inspection and maintenance. If the truck company or owner-operator fails to adequately maintain the vehicle, which includes regularly checking on the health of a tire, they could be held responsible if the tire blowout causes harm to others.

There are times when defective tires end up on the roadways of Kentucky. Defective tires can occur in a few different ways, including:

• A defect in the tire design
• A defect occurring due to the manufacturing process
• The failure of the manufacturer of the tire to warn users about tire dangers

For example, a tire could become defective if the tread separates too easily from the tire before the expected tire expiration date. This could lead to the tire becoming exposed to punctures that could lead to a blowout. If a tire is well designed, it could still sustain damage or alteration when it is being manufactured, leaving it faulty when it leaves the facility. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the legal process surrounding an accident, please reach out to our Lexington truck accident attorneys today.