Tire blowouts on big tractor-trailers are overwhelmingly common and probably happen hundreds of times a day across the United States. Many big rig tire blowouts happen in Houston. Simple maintenance and inspections, which each driver should perform during every stop along their route, would almost entirely prevent a truck accident from happening. An industrial tire under full air pressure and the weight of its load is like a small bomb detonating when it blows.
The rubber and ancillary parts of the tire and wheel can fly off and smash through an automobile’s windows or, if hit just right, perforate the metal of a passenger or driver’s door. When a directional front tire blows or has a rapid loss of air on a big rig, catastrophic situations can materialize in an instant and cause a pileup-style accident with many or even dozens of injuries. Frequently, we seek a truck jackknifing from a front tire blowout.
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A tire blowout on an 18-wheeler is one of the most dangerous events on the road. In seconds, a truck driver can lose control of a vehicle weighing up to 80,000 pounds, putting everyone nearby at risk. For crash victims, these accidents often bring devastating injuries, huge medical bills, and a long road to recovery. Understanding who may be held responsible is the first step toward justice.
Tire blowouts are rarely random. Most occur because someone cut corners, ignored warning signs, or failed to follow safety rules. Common causes include:
When a blowout happens, the law looks at who was in the best position to prevent it.
Trucking companies are legally responsible for keeping their fleets safe. If they skip regular tire inspections, push drivers to haul more than the legal weight, or use old or retreaded tires to save money, they can be held accountable. Companies may also be liable for the actions of their drivers under federal law.
Every driver must inspect their truck before hitting the road. Ignoring worn treads, cracks, or low pressure can make the driver personally responsible. Continuing to drive on unsafe tires—even after spotting a problem—can lead directly to liability.
When a tire fails because it was designed or built improperly, the manufacturer can be held responsible under product liability law. Tire recalls happen for this very reason, and when defective products cause injuries, victims deserve compensation.
Some companies hire outside mechanics for repairs and inspections. If a mechanic missed obvious tire problems, performed shoddy repairs, or signed off on unsafe tires, they too can share liability.
Following a serious big rig accident in Houston, you can be assured that the insurance company for the motor carrier will have “boots on the ground” to investigate the truck wreck and explore ways to shift responsibility from the driver or the company to someone, usually the victim.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules to prevent tire-related crashes. These rules cover everything from tread depth and inflation to bans on certain types of retreaded tires. When trucking companies or drivers ignore these regulations, they not only put lives at risk—they also open themselves up to liability.
Establishing who is at fault requires strong evidence. Key pieces often include:
This evidence shows whether the blowout resulted from poor maintenance, a defective tire, driver negligence, or an overloaded truck.
When a truck loses control, the consequences are often catastrophic. Victims may suffer:
The impact of these injuries can last a lifetime, changing everything from a person’s ability to work to how they care for their family.
Victims of tire blowout crashes may be entitled to financial recovery for:
In extreme cases, courts may also award punitive damages to punish reckless conduct.
For a no-obligation consultation with a Texas big rig accident attorney, call our truck accident attorney or email us to inquire about a consultation.
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