Truck drivers take their tractor trailers and big rigs on long road trips across the country and across Pompano Beach and Florida. In order to get to their destination safely, they rely on safe tires. When truck drivers do not take adequate care of their tires and this leads to a collision, injured parties may have a right to seek compensation.
If you think that tire issues caused your traffic collision, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free, no obligation case evaluation. Our team of attorneys and legal staff can help you understand whether you have a legal claim and can help you explore all your options.
Tire Failure in Pompano Beach and FloridaUnfortunately, a great deal can go wrong with truck tires, including:
1) Rubber may disintegrate. The rubber on tires is vulnerable, especially in high Florida heat. Over time, rubber can be compromised, even if it is not used. Unfortunately, truck tires are sometimes kept for extended periods of time in warehouses where the rubber can become compromised, even if the tires are never used. If these older tires are then placed onto a commercial truck, blowouts and other tire issues can occur, even if the tires are technically new.
2) Tire treads may become worn. Due to the heavy loads that trucks carry and due to the long distances that trucks travel, tires may wear down much faster than with passenger cars, especially in cases of overloaded or overweight trucks. It is expected that truck drivers keep careful note of the treads on their tires and report any issues as they arise.
3) Tires may be overinflated or underinflated. Overinflated or underinflated tires can make tires overheat. Overinflated tires can be prone to blowouts, while underinflated tires can make it harder for a truck driver to control their vehicle.
4) Tires may not be adequately inspected. Federal laws require trucking companies to maintain their fleets. In addition, truck drivers are required by federal guidelines to inspect their trucks tires and keep a log of these inspections before every trip. Despite this, some trucks have tires that have not been adequately maintained or inspected. In these cases, worn treads and other tires may not be noticed in time to avoid a collision.
5) Tires may encounter truck debris on the roads. Truck tires, like all vehicle tires, are vulnerable to sharp debris on the roads, including nails, pieces of metal, and other debris. Tires that are already worn or have other issues can be especially prone to bursting when they encounter this type of debris.
6) Tire blowouts may occur. In some cases, overloaded and overweight trucks can put so much pressure on the tires that the tires burst. In other cases, poor road design, excessive speeds, manufacturing defects, or a host of other problems can cause tires to blowout. This can cause a truck driver to lose control of the vehicle and can also cause chain reaction accidents if the vehicles behind the truck swerve to get out of the way.
7) Manufacturing or design defects can affect tires. Tires may be incorrectly designed, or an error in the manufacturing process can mean that tires emerge from the factory with flaws that can contribute to tire blowouts or collisions. In some cases, tires are recalled but truck companies or mechanics continue to use recalled tires, putting everyone at risk.
8) Retreading can affect the quality of tires. Commercial truck tires are often retreaded, which means that new treads are added to worn down tires. Unfortunately, when tires are retreaded incorrectly, tire blowouts can occur or the retreaded part of the tire can come apart at the seams, causing collisions.
The attorneys at Flaxman Law Group handle every type of personal injury claim. To find out whether you have a claim and to find out more about what options exist for you after a serious traffic collision, contact our full-service law firm today.