A commercial truck tire blowout occurs when a truck’s tire experiences an explosive pressure loss. Rather than slowly deflating, the force of a tractor-trailer tire blowout can cause the tire to break into pieces or separate from the truck’s wheel entirely.
Blowouts are dangerous for truck drivers and other motorists alike, as they can lead to truck collisions or cause debris to strike other vehicles nearby. These incidents also frequently occur with no warning, so drivers don’t have the chance to slow down or pull off the roadway to minimize the impact.
Common Causes of Tire Blowout Accidents and Why Semi Tires Explode
Why do semi tires explode? This question is crucial when investigating the cause of a tire blowout accident. Some of the leading causes of tire blowout accidents include:
- Wear and tear can cause blowouts if tires aren’t inspected and replaced.
- Over or underinflation can increase stress on the tire, leading to a blowout.
- Manufacturing defects may cause tires to be less durable than they should be, causing a blown truck tire.
- Added pressure on the tires due to overloaded cargo or heavy braking when speeding can result in a blown tire.
Types of Tire Blowouts and How They Cause Accidents
Types of tire blowouts frequently seen on Virginia roads include:
- Blowouts where the tire’s tread separates from the rest of the tire
- Blowouts where the tire’s wall separates from the rest of the tire
- Blowouts where the cause is a single puncture point that ruptures further
- Blowouts where the cause is a tear in the tire’s wall
- Blowouts where the entire tire separates from the wheel
How do truck tires cause accidents? When a truck tire explodes, it can cause accidents in several ways. One of the most common ways is by the blowout forcing the driver to lose control of their vehicle, leading to tire blowout accidents involving additional vehicles.
A truck may also roll over due to a tire blowout, causing it to swerve and tip onto its side. Or the truck’s trailer may swing out alongside the cab, causing a jackknife accident that involves other vehicles.
Even if the truck doesn’t crash after a tire blowout, the debris from the blowout can strike other vehicles, putting drivers and passengers in danger.
Injuries and Legal Options After a Blown Truck Tire Crash — How a Truck Accident Lawyer in Virginia Can Help
Victims of tire blowout accidents can sustain serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, broken bones, soft tissue injuries, and more. When you sustain injuries in one of these accidents, it’s important to speak with a lawyer to discuss your options, such as filing an auto insurance claim against the truck’s driver and/or filing personal injury lawsuits against additional liable parties.
Contact Kendall Law Firm for a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Virginia about your case. Our firm has over 30 years of experience and is 100 percent focused on personal injury cases. We’re also involved in local Virginia communities and only represent injured individuals and their families, never insurance companies or big corporations.