When a truck tire blows out, it can cause a truck accident. However, it is also a cause of many Florida car accidents. If you are a driver on Florida’s roads, the pieces of truck tire that you see on the road are a danger to you. In most cases, a truck tire will blow out when a tire goes flat and then becomes considerably damaged. When this occurs, the tire loses all pressure. The truck driver can lose control of the truck and cause a Florida truck accident. Even if the truck is able to pull safely to the side, however, Florida truck accidents can still occur as pieces of truck fly at cars and as car drivers try to swerve out of the way.
There are many reasons for truck tire blowouts:
1) Florida truck tire defects. Tire defects are often in the news and manufacturers sometimes recall tires known to be defective. In many cases, these types of defects can lead to accidents and products liability cases brought against the manufacturers.
2) Incorrect tire maintenance. Whether tires are defective or not, incorrect maintenance can lead to blowouts and accidents. When tires are not properly inflated, they are far more likely to blow up. As well, truck tires should be checked regularly for signs of wear. Any defects or signs of wear mean that a tire should be replaced. As well, it is important to consider the age of tires. Even defect-free tires will disintegrate with time because they are made of rubber. Tires that have been sitting in a warehouse for years may not be as safe, even if they have never been used. Truck drivers and carriers should always check the date of manufacture of tires and reject older tires which may no longer be as safe.
3) Cuts. A large slash on the tire can cause air to leak quickly from the tire, leading to a blown out tire and an accident. Small punctures can also be dangerous, as they may not be noticeable but can cause air loss that causes tire pressure failure. Unfortunately, streets and roadways are often littered with sharp objects which fall of off trucks and cars, and these objects can easily lead to tire problems.
4) Road conditions. Potholes and poor road maintenance can cause added pressure on tires and can cause damage to tires.
5) Load problems. Large commercial trucks often carry large loads, but when drivers and truck companies overload vehicles, the resulting pressure can wear down tires prematurely and can even place enough pressure on tires to cause a blowout. Poorly secured loads can also shift, causing uneven weight distribution that can place pressure on tires and cause an accident.
Tire blowouts have actually decreased over the decades. As manufacturers have been held liable and as technology has improved, tire safety has improved. However, tire blowouts still occur every day in Florida and still cause many Florida truck accidents and car accidents. If you have been in a car or truck accident, contact the Flaxman Law Group offices in Miami, Homestead, or Hollywood. The Flaxman Law Group has decades of experience in Florida traffic accidents and offers a free, no-obligation initial consultation to all clients.