Why Do Tire Blowouts Occur on Semi Trucks?

The number one cause of tire blowouts on semi-trucks is operator error. These trucks are tasked with hauling trailers containing tons of product. They cannot stop on a dime and when they do suffer a tire blowout, the results tend to be catastrophic. Typical drivers will see shredded tire shreds decorating their highways frequently. But why do semi-trucks suffer more tire blowouts than other passenger vehicles?

There are More of Them

Semi-trucks routinely require ten tires or more to stabilize both tractor and trailer. Any one of them can blowout at any time. Since there are more opportunities for a tire blowout (simply because there are more tires) the chances of something going wrong are greater.

For that reason, truckers and trucking companies are expected to conduct routine inspections on their vehicles. Before a vehicle leaves for delivery, each tire should be checked. Tractor-trailer tires should all be around 100 PSI. If any one of them isn’t, it would need to be checked and replaced.

Additionally, the truckers themselves are expected to conduct routine inspections after every 24 hours of driving. This is to prevent operator error from overlooking an overworked tire that could lead to a tragic traffic accident.

Tire Failure is Among the Most Common Causes of Trucking Accidents

According to a study conducted by The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 5.6% of all trucking accidents were related to tire blowouts. In a minority of these cases, there is no one to blame for the accident. In other words, the accident was likely attributable to a piece of road debris that is not traceable to another vehicle or driver. But this is rare. In most cases, the tire blowout accident could have been prevented.

Is It the Trucking Company’s Fault?

In many instances, the tire has some form of manufacturing defect that made it more likely to blow out while still under warranty. In this case, a lawsuit would have to be filed against the tire manufacturer directly as opposed to the trucking company since they are ultimately responsible for the accident.

Sometimes, it is the trucking company’s fault because they failed to conduct the routine inspections required by law. In these cases, the trucker doesn’t notice that the tire is depressurizing and the blowout occurs later.

Similarly, trucks are serviced by mechanics who must ensure that the tires are installed correctly. In cases where the tire is not properly installed, the chances of a catastrophic blowout skyrocket. This may not be the trucking company’s fault, but the fault of their service and repair mechanics.

Talk to a Florida Defective Tire Attorney Today

If you were involved in a traffic accident and believe that tire failure may have played a role, call the Coral Gables tire defect attorneys at Halpern, Santos & Pinkert today to schedule a free consultation and conduct an investigation of the accident and the tire.

Resource:

fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/research-and-analysis/large-truck-crash-causation-study-analysis-brief

https://www.tiredefectattorney.com/suv-tire-blowout-causes-death-serious-injuries/