Most drivers have seen the deformed and shredded remnants of a perfectly good tire scattered across an interstate. It is crucial that tires are maintained properly in order for truckers to commute safely.
If a tire has gone bald, however, the chances of a blowout increase substantially. Blowouts are sudden and can be disastrous if they cause an accident. For 18-wheeler trucks, which can weigh up to 80,000 lbs., a blowout can cause the driver to lose control, with devastating consequences. In the event of such an accident, consulting a Charlotte truck accident lawyer can provide the necessary legal guidance.
Lawyer Brian Steed Tatum has years of experience in helping North Carolina and South Carolina’s injured drivers and their families in dealing with the devastating consequences of truck tire blowouts. His experience is put to work for each client in order to ensure that injured clients receive the compensation they deserve. For personal injury cases resulting from truck accidents, reach out to our personal injury lawyer in Charlotte at Tatum Law Firm.
The trucking industry is highly regulated in order to ensure the safety of drivers throughout the United States. When these regulations are not followed, the safety of all drivers is compromised.
In order for trucks to be operated, their tires must be inspected and recorded in the logbook before the truck picks up its cargo and begins its haul. More specifically, federal regulations note that the following tire conditions make a truck unsafe to be on the road:
For safe operation, federal regulations require that there be a minimum amount of tread on the tire. Tires that have low tread or are bald are especially likely to blowout under high speeds or bearing heavy loads. Trucks should not carry loads that exceed the Department of Transportation’s weight limits and must have properly inflated tires.
Poor maintenance, lack of inspection, tire manufacturer defects, bald tires, excessive heat, and over/under inflation are all reasons that a tire may blowout on the road. If a tire is underinflated, overloading the tires with an excessively heavy haul can cause the tires to expand and burst under the pressure of high speeds. Even if the tires were properly inspected before loading the cargo into the truck, debris on the road, potholes, and alignment problems can cause tires to wear faster and become dangerous.
Heavy loads make it difficult to maintain control of a truck after a tire blowout in Charlotte, NC. The sheer size and weight of an 18-wheeler can cause a driver to panic in the moments after a tire blows, and this can cause the driver to fail to use the standard operating procedures practiced during training.
If the drivers loses control of the truck, it can crash into smaller vehicles or turn over on the road. Also, debris from a blowout can cause subsequent accidents as other drivers attempt to avoid the large pieces of tires and shredded rubber released into oncoming traffic.
In the aftermath of a commercial vehicle accident, it is important to determine the cause(s) of the accident. If bald tires or a blowout is indicated, a complex legal situation arises. The Tatum Law Firm has years of experience in litigating and representing clients who have been involved in commercial vehicle or truck accidents.
Our experienced truck accident lawyer, Brian Steed Tatum, will manage your case and pursue your claim in order to ensure that you are justly compensated. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident, please contact our office for assistance at (704) 307-4350 or reach out online for a free case evaluation.