Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
Most drivers have seen the shredded remains of tires from truck tire blowouts on highways and roads. In addition to being unsightly, these tire remnants can be a hazard. Tire blowouts can lead to car accidents in Homestead and other communities. The tire debris also easily lead to motorcycle accidents in Homestead and other cities. In some cases, a truck driver can lose control of their vehicle during a tire blowout, a fact that leads to truck accidents in Homestead and across Florida.
There is some debate about where shredded tires come from. Many people note that the hot temperatures in Florida put additional pressure on tires and cause tires to disintegrate. When trucks are overloaded and exceed weight limits, this can also place additional stress on tires and can cause not only truck rollovers in Homestead and other cities but also tire blowouts. Of course, in some cases simple wear and tear lead to tire blowouts, although in many cases careful monitoring and maintenance of tires can prevent blowouts.
Another issue that is often blamed for tire blowouts is retreaded or capped tires. This process involves stripping down old tires and adhering new treads and a new exterior. This method of dealing with older tires is considered by many in the trucking industry to be more cost-effective and it is also more eco-friendly. However, some experts claim that the adhesive used in the process can become unglued, especially in high temperatures, leading to tire debris on the roads and tire issues.
Other experts, however, say that retreaded tires can be just as safe as other types of tires – provided they are made correctly. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluded in 2008 that retreaded tires were not more likely to suffer from a blowout than new tires. Unfortunately, there is no regulation of capped tires, which means that some companies take fewer steps to ensure the safety of the tires. Reputable retreaders do not cap old tires and check for flaws before retreading. Some even x-ray tires to ensure that there are no tiny flaws which can affect the integrity of the final product.
No matter what causes tire problems for trucks, there is certainly an issue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 55 people are killed each year in accidents involving a truck with tire issues. Many more people are seriously injured in these types of accidents. Federal rules require trucking companies to maintain their fleets carefully and also require truck drivers to carefully check their trucks – including the tires – each time they drive. Drivers are expected to check tire pressure and also to check for bulges, cuts, and other flaws on the tires.
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Southern Florida, contact the Flaxman Law Group for a free, no obligation case review. The Flaxman Law Group is a full-service law firm and proud to be a part of the Homestead community. With offices conveniently located in Hollywood, Homestead, and Miami, the attorneys at the Flaxman Law Group serve clients across South Florida.