Who is Responsible for Tire Malfunctions in a Truck Accident?

The multiple tires on a semi-truck play an important role in increasing the stability of the ride for precious cargo. However, those multiple tires also spread out the weight of that cargo so that no one tire is under a high amount of pressure. Yet, more tires lead to the potential for more problems. If a tire on a truck blows out, it can have devastating consequences not just for the truck driver, but anyone that happens to be nearby.

Causes of Truck Tire Blowouts

When a tire on any vehicle blows out, it causes the vehicle to suddenly jerk to the side of the blowout. This often leads to loss of control of the vehicle as the driver tries to compensate. With maneuvering severely impeded, getting control of the vehicle at a high speed can be near impossible.

Tire blowout on a truck can be caused by a number of instances, including:

• Road hazards
• Overweight vehicles
• Low-pressure tires
• Tire defects

In cases of overweight vehicles and low-pressure tires, the fault of a tire blowout likely sits with the trucker or trucking company – whoever was responsible for maintenance of that truck. Once you ascertain who was at fault for not engaging in proper truck maintenance, then you can pursue a personal injury case against them. However, when it comes to tire defects, the fault can be a little more unclear and may come from places you don’t suspect at first.

Who is at Fault for Defective Tires?

When a tire is defective and causes a serious accident due to a blowout or any other problem, you might first look to the truck driver or the truck company. While it is true that a trucker or their employer could hold the blame for willfully ignoring a defect, there might be others responsible that you can pursue legal action against.

Tire Manufacturer

If a tire is defective from the moment it left the factory, then the tire manufacturer may bear the responsibility for damages from defective tire accidents. However, if it is discovered that the manufacturer already issued a recall before the accident, and it was not followed, this can waive them of responsibility.

Tire Distributor

Even truck companies don’t typically buy tires from a manufacturer. Instead, there is a middle man, a distributor, who handles the sale. However, this distributor can also have an effect on the tires. If they were not stored properly, checked regularly, or the tires they provided were not right for the customer, then they can be held responsible.

The Mechanic That Installed the Tires

Often covered by the trucking company, the last unexpected person you can hold responsible is the mechanic that installed the tires. They are the last line of defense for catching any defects in the tires before that truck heads out on the road.

If it can be proven that the tires had blisters, bulges, uneven tread, cracking in the sidewall, or were not properly inflated when installed, then the mechanic can be held responsible if not under the protection of the trucking company. This can often be the case for truckers that own their own rigs and use their own mechanics. However, even if a mechanic is responsible, usually they will have the protection of their employer unless they own their own business.

Need Help?

If you have been in an accident due to a truck tire blowout or some other defect, we can help. Contact us today to see how Freeman & Freeman can help you begin your personal injury case to help you get the compensation that your injuries and trauma from the accident deserve.