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A truck tractor that was towing a semi-trailer lost control and crashed, leaving two people dead. The crash happened on Highway 84 near Mount Enterprise in Rush County. The truck was traveling west on US-84 when it allegedly experienced a tire blowout. The driver lost control as a result and ran into oncoming traffic lanes. The truck collided with a Toyota Sequoia traveling eastbound. Two women traveling in the Toyota died at the accident scene.
The truck driver reported that his truck blew a tire. This caused him to lose control of the truck and it careened into oncoming traffic. The truck driver was reportedly not injured in the incident. The Texas Department of Public Safety troopers responded to the crash and were investigating.
Tire blowouts are responsible for several big rig accidents. When a tire blows unexpectedly, it can cause an immediate shift in the truck and handling becomes difficult or impossible. The driver has just a split-second to react to a tire blowout and try to keep control over the truck.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes several regulations on commercial trucks including guidelines for tire safety. Trucking companies must maintain safe tires. Tires must visually inspected to ensure there is no belt material exposed through the sidewall, no tread separation, no leaks and no cuts that expose tread.
In addition, the tire tread groove must be at least 4/32 of an inch on front tires. Tires with less tread are considered bald and are dangerous. Tires with reduced tread are more apt to burst. The tires, including those in the back, must have a tread measurement of at least 2/32 of an inch.
Re-grooved or retread tires are not allowed for use on the front truck wheels. Truck drivers must visually inspect the truck’s tires before every trip. Besides a visual inspection, drivers and companies need to keep tires at the proper inflation. Improperly inflated tires are more prone to blowouts than tires inflated according to tire manufacturer specifications.
If you are injured due to an accident with a big rig, a negligent driver can be held responsible for the damages. A driver or trucking company may be negligent if they fail to check the tires before a trip or if the tires do not meet the federal regulations according to the FMCSA.
If you are involved in an accident that is not your fault, you may need to seek legal assistance. These crashes can be complicated and difficult to resolve. You will need to prove that the driver or the company was negligent and caused your injuries.
Get the legal help you need from the experienced truck wreck attorneys at Baumgartner Law Firm. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation.
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