Truck accidents can be catastrophic due to the size and weight of 18-wheelers and commercial tractor-trailers. If you were involved in a truck accident you may have sustained property damage and injuries. When a tire blowout causes a truck accident, understanding who is liable for the resulting damages is crucial in ensuring your legal rights are protected. Reach out to a skillful New Jersey truck accident lawyer to set up your free consultation today.
What is a Tire Blowout?
A tire blowout is the rapid loss of inflation of a tire. It suddenly bursts from a loss of pressure, leading to a loss of control of the vehicle. While a blowout can happen at any time and for any reason, this type of failure is generally caused by wear, product defect, under or overinflation, debris in the road, etc.
Who is Liable for a Truck Accident After a Tire Blowout?
Liability for a truck accident can rest with various individuals or entities depending on the specifics of the situation. The responsible party in a truck accident caused by a tire blowout will depend on what caused the tire to burst. Consider the following.
- Truck driver: In some cases, the truck driver may be liable for a tire blowout accident. Drivers are responsible for conducting inspections of their vehicles before embarking on a trip. This includes checking the tires for signs of wear or damage. If the driver failed to properly inspect the tires or neglected to address an issue that they found they can be considered negligent. Additionally, if they were reckless or negligent in their driving they can be held liable for the accident
- Trucking company: Trucking companies have a responsibility to properly maintain all of their vehicles. They must ensure that the tires are in good condition and perform regular checks and maintenance to ensure safety. If they fail to conduct these checks or do not replace worn or damaged tires, the company could be held liable for the blowout and resulting accident.
- Tire manufacturer: Tire blowouts can sometimes occur due to a defect in the tire itself. In this case, the manufacturer can be held liable. If a design flaw, issue in the manufacturing process, or bad quality materials caused the tire to burst, the manufacturer could be held responsible for the damages resulting from the accident.
- Mechanics: If the tires were installed by a mechanic or auto service center and were improperly or negligently installed, a third party could be held accountable for the blowout.
- Government/road construction agencies: It is possible that external factors caused or contributed to the tire blowout like road conditions. If potholes, debris on the roads, weather conditions, or other factors led to the tire’s failure, the local government municipality or agency responsible for road maintenance could be held liable.
Many entities or individuals can face liability for injuries and damages caused by a tire blowout accident. Work with an experienced attorney for more information on your legal rights and options when recovering compensation.
