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Nearly all auto accidents beg the same question, “Who is a fault for the collision?” This answer often includes a detailed list of at-fault parties, particularly in California commercial truck wrecks.
Truck drivers bear a great responsibility to maintain their rigs in safe, operational conditions. Sometimes, however, no matter the diligence of the driver, accidents still happen.
Accidents involving defective tires are a prime example of complex truck accident cases. Defective tires in a truck accident can point to multiple negligent parties. But figuring out who’s responsible is tough to do on your own.
Seasoned California personal injury attorneys understand how to investigate and assemble evidence for truck accident injury claims. If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident due to defective tires, here are some things you should know before filing a compensation claim:
What Tire Defects Lead to Truck Accidents?
The NTSA reports that just under 750 auto accidents annually result from defective tires. Many of these accidents involve big-rig trucks and are particularly dangerous.
The weight and speed of big-rigs make recovering from a tire blowout especially hard. Truck drivers often lose control of their trucks as the truck pulls sharply in the direction of the blown tire. This often leads to collisions with other vehicles or deadly roll-over accidents.
What Tire Defects Lead to Truck Accidents?
The weight and pressure of a commercial truck and its load can exacerbate the risks of traveling with defective tires. Common tire defects that lead to truck accidents include:
Manufacturer Defects:
- Tread separation
- Steel belt and tread separation
- Design flaws
- Retread failure
Faulty Tire Maintenance:
- Worn tires
- Over or under-inflated tires
- Improper puncture repair
- Faulty tire mounting
- Unbalanced or misaligned tires
- Installing wrong tires for the type of vehicle
Tire manufacturers and maintenance crews are responsible for inspecting tires for safety and properly installing tires for a vehicle’s safe operation.
Common Causes of Tire Blowouts in California Truck Accidents?
Even perfect tires can be subject to blowouts and failures. External factors that can affect tire integrity and performance include:
- Overloaded trucks
- Road hazards
- Changing weather conditions
Load weight, road conditions, and changing weather can impact tire pressure and put undue stress on truck tires. A sudden change in tire pressure can stress tire walls, causing tire bulges and sidewall cracks that increase the risk of tire blowouts.
The truck driver, owner, and maintenance crews should restrict loads to appropriate weights, understand the effects of extreme heat and cold climates on tires, and consider the wear and tear of poor road conditions on tires.
Who is at Fault in California if Defective Tires Cause a Truck Accident?
Multiple parties are responsible for putting big-rigs on the road. From truck and tire manufacturers to owners and operators, each plays a part in ensuring a commercial truck’s safe operation.
- Tire manufacturers
- Tire maintenance crews
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies
Sometimes manufacturer defects are invisible to inspection, and tire accidents result regardless of routine scheduled tire maintenance by a truck driver or maintenance crew.
However, truck accidents resulting from faulty tire maintenance can reasonably be foreseen and prevented with an adequate vehicle inspection. Faulty maintenance plays a large role in tire blowouts.
Truck drivers must also be aware and able to respond swiftly and according to the rules of the road in a tire blowout. Distracted driving, ignoring mechanical problems or signals of tire problems, and violating traffic speeds can increase the risk of a tire blowout accident.
Similarly, trucking companies without adequate maintenance protocols, load restrictions, and rules against worn or faulty tires also contribute to the increased risk of a defective tire truck accident.
Reach Out to a California Construction Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve been injured in a California truck accident, you need a personal injury attorney to sort out who was at fault and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Many factors determine liability in vehicle accidents, and cases involving trucks are significantly more complicated. Many parties may share the burden of negligence for the truck accident and your resulting injuries.
The legal team at our California law office will work diligently on your behalf to investigate, gather evidence, and formulate a case for maximum compensation. Contact us today to speak with a knowledgeable and skilled California personal injury attorney