4 Common Causes of Tire Truck Blowouts on the Highway
Most drivers have seen shredded pieces of tires on the highway at some point. These tire pieces are the aftermath of what is known as a tire blowout. When a tire blows out, it quickly loses air, which results in an explosion of sorts. This type of car damage causes drivers to lose control of their vehicle, creating a dangerous situation for everyone.
Trucks are highly susceptible to tire blowouts. It’s one of the chief reasons why truck accidents occur in the country. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has estimated that tire blowouts cause over 11,000 truck crashes annually and more than 200 deaths.
Why are Tire Blowouts So Dangerous?
It’s not difficult to understand that a tire blowout on a commercial truck would be dangerous. One reason that it is such a hazard is that it leads to instability. Truck drivers are highly trained, including in how to recover from a blowout, but what happens in the wake of a blowout is unpredictable. Even the best driver can lose control of a truck when a wheel suddenly explodes.
Blowouts are unpredictable, which means a trucker is generally unable to prevent them from happening. In most cases, when a tire blows out, the driver would have to adapt as best they can without a moment’s warning.
Common Causes of Truck Tire Blowouts
There are four main reasons why a truck may suffer a tire blowout. They include the following:
- Improper maintenance – Without proper support, a tire can easily tear in the center. On the other hand, a tire that is under-inflated will wear down faster on the sides. It’s essential for truck tires to be inflated appropriately to avoid a blowout.
- Overloaded trailer – Trailers that have too heavy a load carry too much weight, which can put more wear on the tires and brakes alike and cause them to malfunction. Tires should be properly inflated and have good treads with minimal wear.
- Roadway hazards – Tires that hit potholes or other road hazards can become damaged, which can lead to a blowout. Watch out for any big bumps or hard hits. Hitting the rubber hard enough on the pavement can cause it to pop.
- Unnoticed small tire leaks – A blowout can also happen due to a low tire leak. This means air is slowly seeping out until the tire abruptly fails.
A tire blowout isn’t always preventable, but with proper maintenance, you can reduce the chances of an accident. The trucking company and truckers should be educated on appropriate tire maintenance to keep the roads safer.
Call an Orlando Truck Accident Attorney
Finding yourself at the center of an accident scene because of a tire blowout is a terrifying situation. There is legal recourse. Call the Umansky Law Firm and speak to any of our experienced truck accident attorneys. Our team has over 100 years of experience practicing personal injury law in Orlando and have helped hundreds of clients throughout Central Florida recover the funds they need to move on after a crash. Contact our firm for a free consultation and quality legal care.
