Trucks on Hollywood and Florida roads are a part of driving in the region. In most cases, you may pass tankers, tractor trailers, and big rigs without a second thought. However, a simple drive can become scary in seconds if something goes wrong with a commercial truck sharing the road with you.
One of the scarier things that can happen is a tire blowout. Commercial trucks carry a lot of weight and sometimes that excess weight places too much pressure on the tires. The tires can get worn down or overheated, eventually bursting. In some cases, trucks can roll over sharp debris on the road, which can also cause blowouts. If you’ve ever seen strips of rubber along the side of highways, these are the remnants of tire blowouts.
Seeing a tire blowout right in front of you can be scary, and this type of situation can even lead to a collision. You may be able to avoid a crash if you can:
1) Be prepared.
Drive the speed limit and leave plenty of room if you are following a truck. The extra room and a reasonable speed will help you if pieces of tire suddenly hit your windshield, obscuring your vision. You will also have more room to maneuver if the truck swerves as a result of the blowout. Be sure to stay out of the truck’s blind spots – which are right behind and along the sides of the truck – so that the driver is aware of where you are.
2) Stay calm.
Tire blowouts can cause a very loud noise and pieces of rubber may hit your windshield or car very suddenly as they fly off the tires. You may even drive over pieces of rubber as they fall under your tires. Try not to panic. Keep an eye on the truck in front of you to see whether the driver will swerve as a result of the blowout. Unless they do, you might not need to make any maneuvers at all.
3) Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.
Keep both hands on the wheel so that you have maximum control of your vehicle in case you need to move suddenly. Although it may be tempting to look to see what the truck is doing, focus on the road and where you want to go so that you are not distracted. Keep in mind that other drivers on the road may panic and may swerve, so you need to be prepared for the unexpected.
4) Try not to slam on the brakes.
Your first instinct on hearing a loud noise may be to slam on the brakes, but this can cause a rear-end crash. Keep your foot on the gas pedal and continue to remain in your lane.
5) Stop to offer assistance if needed.
Many tire blowouts in Hollywood and other communities do not result in crashes. Truck drivers are trained to deal with brake and tire issues and usually know what to do to prevent an accident. However, in some cases this type of situation can result in a collision. If you are in a crash or witness a crash caused by tire issues, pull over to the side of the road if you can and call 911 if anyone has been seriously injured. Turn on your warning lights if you do pull over.
Many tire blowouts are preventable and are caused by manufacturer defects or poor maintenance. If you have been injured in a truck collision caused by tire issues or any possible negligent acts, contact Flaxman Law Group, a full-service law firm with offices in Hollywood, Homestead, and Miami. You can always call our legal team if you have been injured to set up a free, no commitment case review.