What to Do If a Truck’s Tire Blowout Causes a Crash

Large commercial trucks dominate our highways, weighing up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. When one of these massive vehicles experiences a tire blowout, the consequences can be catastrophic. A sudden tire failure at highway speeds can cause a truck driver to lose control, leading to devastating accidents that often involve multiple vehicles.

Tire blowouts rank among the most dangerous mechanical failures that can occur with commercial trucks. The sheer size and weight of these vehicles mean that even a minor loss of control can result in serious injuries or fatalities. Understanding what causes these incidents and knowing how to respond can make a significant difference in protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve.

Why Truck Tire Blowouts Happen

Commercial truck tires endure tremendous stress during normal operation. Several factors contribute to tire failures that can lead to serious accidents on Virginia roads.

Inadequate Maintenance Practices

Trucking companies and drivers must follow strict maintenance schedules to ensure tire safety. Federal regulations require regular inspections and prompt replacement of worn or damaged tires. When companies cut corners on maintenance to reduce costs, they put everyone on the road at risk.

Worn tread depth reduces traction and increases the likelihood of blowouts. Improper tire pressure also creates dangerous conditions. Underinflated tires generate excess heat that can cause sudden failures, while overinflated tires are more susceptible to damage from road debris.

Overloading and Weight Distribution Issues

Commercial trucks have strict weight limits for safety reasons. When companies exceed these limits or distribute cargo improperly, they place excessive strain on the tires. This additional stress significantly increases the risk of tire failure, especially during long hauls or in challenging weather conditions.

Road Hazards and Debris

Construction zones, potholes, and debris on the roadway can cause immediate tire damage or create weak spots that lead to later blowouts. While drivers cannot always avoid these hazards, they have a responsibility to inspect their tires regularly and replace any that show signs of damage.

Immediate Steps After a Tire Blowout Accident

The moments following a truck tire blowout accident are critical for your safety and your legal case. Taking the right actions can protect your health and preserve important evidence.

Ensure Safety First

Move to a safe location away from traffic if possible. Turn on hazard lights and set up flares or reflective triangles if you have them. Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request emergency medical assistance, even if you do not feel injured initially.

Adrenaline can mask pain and symptoms of serious injuries. Many accident victims do not realize the extent of their injuries until hours or days later. Getting medical attention promptly creates a record of your injuries and ensures you receive proper treatment.

Document the Scene

Take photographs of the vehicle damage, tire debris, skid marks, and the overall accident scene. These images can provide crucial evidence about what happened and who was at fault. Get the contact information of all involved parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, and any witnesses.

Police officers will create an official accident report, but having your own documentation can be valuable. Note the weather conditions, time of day, and any other factors that might have contributed to the accident.

Preserve Evidence

Tire blowout cases often hinge on technical evidence about the tire failure. The damaged tire itself can reveal whether the blowout resulted from poor maintenance, manufacturing defects, or other factors. Do not allow anyone to dispose of the tire debris or other physical evidence from the scene.

Legal Considerations in Tire Blowout Cases

Truck tire blowout accidents involve complex legal issues that require specialized knowledge of federal trucking regulations and commercial vehicle operations. Multiple parties may share responsibility for the accident, making these cases particularly challenging.

Determining Liability

Several parties might bear responsibility for a tire blowout accident. The truck driver has a duty to inspect the vehicle and ensure it is safe to operate. The trucking company must maintain proper maintenance schedules and ensure drivers follow safety protocols. In some cases, tire manufacturers or maintenance providers may also share liability.

Establishing fault requires a thorough investigation of maintenance records, driver logs, and company policies. Federal regulations governing commercial trucking provide specific standards that can help determine whether parties violated their duties.

Understanding Federal Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets strict rules for commercial truck operations, including tire safety requirements. These regulations specify minimum tread depths, inspection schedules, and replacement criteria. Violations of these federal standards can provide strong evidence of negligence.

Trucking companies must keep detailed maintenance records and driver logs. These documents can reveal patterns of neglect or violations that contributed to the tire failure. An experienced attorney knows how to obtain and analyze these records to build a strong case.

Insurance Complications

Commercial truck accidents involve multiple insurance policies with high coverage limits. However, insurance companies will fight aggressively to minimize payouts. They may argue that the tire blowout was unavoidable or that other factors caused the accident.

Having skilled legal representation levels the playing field. An experienced truck accident attorney understands the tactics insurance companies use and can counter their arguments effectively.

The Importance of Professional Legal Representation

Tire blowout cases require extensive investigation and technical expertise. Success depends on proving that the blowout resulted from negligence rather than an unavoidable mechanical failure. This requires analyzing maintenance records, examining the failed tire, and often working with accident reconstruction experts.

Insurance companies know that most accident victims do not understand the complexities of these cases. They may offer quick settlements that seem reasonable but fall far short of covering the full extent of damages. Once you accept a settlement, you typically cannot seek additional compensation later.

An experienced truck accident attorney can accurately assess the value of your case and negotiate with insurance companies from a position of strength. They understand how to present evidence effectively and can take your case to trial if necessary to secure fair compensation.

Medical Treatment and Long-term Care

Truck accidents often result in severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment. The force involved in these crashes can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and other serious conditions. Some victims face permanent disabilities that affect their ability to work and enjoy life.

Proper medical documentation is essential for your legal case. Follow all treatment recommendations from your healthcare providers and keep detailed records of your medical expenses. This documentation helps establish the extent of your injuries and the impact on your life.

Do not delay seeking medical attention, even for seemingly minor injuries. Some conditions, such as traumatic brain injuries, may not show symptoms immediately. Having a complete medical record from the time of the accident strengthens your case and ensures you receive appropriate care.

Compensation for Tire Blowout Accident Victims

Victims of truck tire blowout accidents may be entitled to compensation for various damages. Medical expenses, including future treatment costs, form a significant portion of most settlements. Lost wages and reduced earning capacity can also be substantial, particularly for victims who suffer permanent disabilities.

Pain and suffering compensation addresses the physical and emotional trauma caused by the accident. This includes ongoing pain, anxiety, depression, and the loss of enjoyment of life. Property damage to your vehicle and other belongings may also be recoverable.

In cases involving egregious negligence, such as knowingly operating trucks with dangerous tires, punitive damages may be available. These damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.

Working with Strickland, Diviney & Segura

Strickland, Diviney & Segura has extensive experience handling complex truck accident cases throughout Virginia. The firm understands the unique challenges these cases present and has the resources to conduct thorough investigations and take on large trucking companies and their insurers.

The attorneys at Strickland, Diviney & Segura work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay attorney fees unless they recover compensation for you. This arrangement allows accident victims to access skilled legal representation without upfront costs.

Taking Action to Protect Your Rights

Time is critical in truck accident cases. Evidence can disappear, witnesses may forget important details, and Virginia law imposes strict deadlines for filing lawsuits. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better they can protect your interests and preserve crucial evidence.

Do not speak with insurance company representatives without legal counsel present. They may try to get you to make statements that could harm your case later. Even seemingly innocent comments can be taken out of context and used against you.

Focus on your recovery while your attorney handles the legal complexities of your case. Truck tire blowout accidents can have life-changing consequences, and you deserve compensation that reflects the full impact of your injuries.

Get the Legal Help You Deserve

Truck tire blowout accidents require immediate action and skilled legal representation. The attorneys at Strickland, Diviney & Segura understand the complexities of these cases and have the experience to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Do not let insurance companies take advantage of you during this difficult time. Schedule a consultation with Strickland, Diviney & Segura today by calling (540) 982-7787. Their experienced team will review your case, explain your options, and help you understand the path forward. Your initial consultation is free, and you owe nothing unless they recover compensation for you.