Tire blowouts are one of the most dangerous failures that can occur on a commercial truck. When a big rig tire suddenly explodes at freeway speeds, the truck can instantly lose stability and cause the driver to swerve, jackknife, or collide with nearby vehicles.
On top of that, shredded tire debris (“gators”) can also launch into oncoming traffic, causing multi-vehicle accidents. These crashes often lead to severe injuries, high medical costs, and complex liability disputes. Understanding who is responsible is essential for victims seeking compensation.
Why Do Tire Blowouts Happen on Big Rigs?
Commercial truck tires are designed to withstand enormous pressure and weight. However, when they are improperly maintained or manufactured, they are far more likely to fail. For example, negligent maintenance issues such as over/underinflating tires can weaken the tire structure, meanwhile negligent work practices like overloading cargo on a truck can put immense strain and extra pressure on tires and increase the likelihood of a blowout.
While there are some cases of external factors that are harder to control such as road hazards, potholes, and even manufacturing defects, California Vehicle Code 2802 requires all truck drivers to stop at all posted commercial vehicle inspection facilities to ensure that these factors can be accounted for before a serious incident occurs.
Who Is Liable When a Truck Tire Blows Out in California?
Tire blowout cases often involve multiple parties, each potentially responsible depending on how the tire failed. For instance, the truck driver and trucking company have a responsibility to ensure they follow all safety regulations outlined by state and federal law. Any failure to do so will result in their culpability for their negligence.
In addition, third parties such as shipping companies, tire manufacturers, and even maintenance/repair shops all have a duty of care to ensure any work they do on a semi-truck is in accordance with safety standards and any issues are properly documented and reported to avoid catastrophic incidents from occurring. Should they fail to do so, then they will be held liable for their actions and will be responsible for paying damages.
How Investigators Determine Fault After a Tire Explosion
Tire blowout cases typically require immediate investigation because evidence disappears quickly. Experienced truck accident attorneys commonly work with accident reconstruction experts, mechanical experts, and black box (ECM) analysts to look for key details to determine the cause of the tire explosion. For example, any of the following evidence can help determine fault in a tire explosion accident.
Tire Shreds and Debris- Patterns of tearing can reveal whether the blowout was caused by underinflation, overload, or manufacturing failure.
Maintenance Logs & Inspection Records- These records can help determine if the parties involved were performing their tasks accordingly.
Driver Logs and Hours-of-Service Records- Fatigued drivers are more likely to skip inspections, so any discrepancy will alert attorneys.
Weigh Station Records & Bills of Lading- Used to determine whether cargo was overloaded.
Surveillance or Dashcam Footage- Used to watch the accident in real time and the moments leading up to the accident.
ECM/Black Box Data- Shows speed, braking, and steering before the explosion.
What Should You Do After a Big Rig Tire Blowout Accident?
If you were injured, your actions immediately after the crash are critical:
Call 911 and report the truck’s behavior and any debris.
Take photos of tire shreds, skid marks, damage, and road conditions.
Get witness statements and the truck’s DOT number.
Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer.
Seek medical care, even if injuries seem minor.
Contact an experienced California truck accident attorney immediately.
While it is understandable to feel shaken up about the incident, it is vital to act promptly because trucking companies move quickly to hide or destroy evidence. As such, it is important to contact an attorney, so they can act even faster.
Injured in a Big Rig Tire Blowout Accident? Frank Penney Injury Lawyers are Here to Help.
If a commercial truck’s tire explosion caused your injuries, you deserve answers and compensation. Frank Penney Injury Lawyers is a personal injury law firm with over 25 years of experience and their team of attorneys have a successful track record of holding negligent parties accountable for their actions. By having our legal team by your side, you can rest easy knowing a skilled attorney is protecting your rights.
Call us today at 888-888-0566 or by filling out our online contact form for a free case consultation.