If you travel the freeways and interstates of St. Petersburg, Florida, for any length, you are certain to see large tire fragments scattered along the road. These are the remnants of tractor-trailer tire blowouts, a type of sudden equipment failure that can lead to potentially devastating truck crashes.
While tire blowouts can happen suddenly, they are often the foreseeable result of negligence or reckless disregard for safety. At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, we are committed to helping you and your family recover the compensation you deserve following a wreck caused by a commercial vehicle’s tire failure.
If you need legal help, Contact us online or call (727) 314-5988 now for a free consultation.
How Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Tractor-Trailer Tire Blowout Accident in St. Petersburg, FL
An experienced St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer can provide personalized assistance and advice following a truck tire blowout accident.
While you tend to your injuries, Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers will:
- Collect and analyze the accident report to identify the responsible parties
- Gather the truck’s mechanical and inspection records
- Recover tire fragments and other physical evidence for analysis
- Speak with witnesses and those with information about the accident
- Speak with insurance companies and other parties about settlements and claims
- Represent you in court if necessary
When you seek compensation from a trucking company or its insurer following a crash, expect it to aggressively resist your efforts. One of our skilled and tenacious personal injury attorneys in St. Petersburg, FL, will fight for your rights and the damages you deserve. Call today for a free case review.
4 Top Causes of Truck Tire Blowouts
Tractor trailers are sometimes called “18-wheelers” after the typical number of tires on one of these big rigs. A blowout happens when one of these tires suddenly fails and either disintegrates or explodes.
When the truck is traveling at a considerable speed on the road, a blowout may cause the driver to lose control of their rig and crash. Even if the truck driver maintains control, a loose tire on the highway can cause another vehicle to wreck. Available data suggests that thousands of people are hurt or killed by these events each year.
Tire blowouts may be the result of one of these four causes.
1. Underinflation
Properly inflated tires allow a truck and trailer combo to safely carry its load. When a tire is inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, the truck driver can better control the rig when it is in motion. It also keeps the tire surface from overheating, which can result from coming into contact with the road surface while in motion.
When a tire is underinflated, more of its surface comes into contact with the road for a longer period of time. At highway speeds, this can cause the tire to become overheated and increase the risk of failure.
2. Dangerous Road Conditions
Truck tires are tough, but they are not indestructible. Deep potholes or uneven road surfaces can inflict catastrophic damage to a tire. A truck driver who continues driving after their tires have been damaged risks those tires suddenly blowing out or disintegrating.
3. Overloading the Truck
Trucks, trailers, and their tires are all designed to carry certain loads. When a truck is overloaded and overweight, this puts additional strain on the tires. Although the tires themselves may not appear any different, the added weight and pressure can contribute to a sudden tire failure on the road.
4. Poor Truck Maintenance
Trucks that are misaligned or have weight imbalances can put additional stress on certain tires, causing them to wear out more quickly. Unless all tires are inspected independently, excessive wear on one tire may go unnoticed until that tire unexpectedly fails.
A design or manufacturing defect in the tire itself could also be to blame for the tire failure. Identifying the cause of a tractor-trailer tire blowout is an essential step in determining who is responsible for paying damages.
Liability For Truck Accidents Caused By Tire Blowouts
Following a crash, your personal injury protection (PIP) policy will cover a portion of your medical bills and lost income, regardless of who is at fault. Truck wrecks are typically more destructive, however, and your losses could far exceed your PIP limits.
The following parties could be responsible for paying the costs associated with serious injuries after a tire blowout:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company and its insurer
- The truck or tire manufacturer
- The mechanic or maintenance facility responsible for the truck
Compensation could cover your medical expenses, lost wages, future treatment needs, decreased earning potential, and pain and suffering. A knowledgeable St. Petersburg truck accident attorney can help you understand the financial toll of your injuries and seek that amount through a claim.
Contact Our St. Petersburg Tractor-Trailer Tire Blowout Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation
Tractor-trailer tire blowouts may happen suddenly, but they are often preventable. Negligence could be to blame when a truck’s tire fails. Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers is dedicated to helping you recover from your injuries by obtaining the compensation you need to be made whole.
Contact us right away if a tire blowout has impacted you and request your free consultation.Our St. Petersburg Personal Injury Law Office
Visit Our Law Office In St. Petersburg, FL
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyer – St. Petersburg
111 2nd Ave NE Suite 350
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: (727) 314-5988
Hours: Open 24 Hours Daily
