Tire Blowout Truck Accident Attorney in Utah

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Truck tire blowouts often occur suddenly and endanger truckers and motorists alike. A blowout can cause drivers to lose control of their rigs and slam into neighboring vehicles. While a flat tire can happen to anyone, sometimes blowouts are due to irresponsible actions by trucking companies and other parties. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a tire blowout accident, you deserve to know whether you can pursue compensation for your losses. The lawyers at Swenson & Shelley can help.

Our experienced Utah truck accident lawyers can review your case and develop a legal strategy aimed at the best results possible. Contact us today for a free consultation.

What Causes a Tire Blowout Truck Accident?

A blowout occurs when a truck tire suddenly deflates or falls apart. This can happen without warning and often results in an immediate loss of control. A truck’s immense size and weight make a blowout even more dangerous. When a commercial truck hits a passenger car, the car and anyone inside usually suffer the worst damage.

The most common causes of truck tire blowout accidents include:

  • Improper maintenance – Under or over-inflating tires, failing to replace old tires, or failing to inspect tires regularly can lead to catastrophic blowouts.
  • Uneven loading – Unbalanced or overweight loads put extra pressure on the tires, increasing the chances of a tire blowout.
  • Dangerous road conditions – Hazardous road conditions, including debris, potholes, and bad weather, can damage tires and cause a flat.
  • Defective products – Poorly designed or manufactured tires may not perform as expected, causing a blowout even when the truck driver does everything right.

What Makes Tire Blowouts So Dangerous?

Truck tire blowout accidents are hazardous for many reasons. A blowout can cause a truck driver to swerve or skid across multiple lanes of traffic. This can lead to collisions with other vehicles, causing serious property damage and severe, potentially fatal injuries. For this reason, truckers and trucking companies must regularly inspect and maintain their tires to minimize the risk of a blowout.

Who’s Liable in a Tire Blowout Accident?

The party liable for a tire blowout truck accident will depend on the circumstances of the accident. If the truck driver is an independent contractor, they may be principally or solely liable. However, if the driver is an employee of a motor carrier, the company may be to blame since it is responsible for complying with laws and regulations, properly maintaining the truck, and ensuring that all tires are in good condition.

The facts of the case may show other parties could also be held liable, such as the tire manufacturer, the repair shop that serviced the tires, or the vehicle’s owner. A truck accident lawyer can investigate the accident and identify every party at fault for the wreck.

Why are Trucking Companies Often at Fault for Semi-truck Tire Blowouts?

Trucking companies are often liable for truck tire blowout accidents because they are responsible for the regular maintenance and inspection of their vehicles. If the company fails to inspect and replace tires or puts unsafe tires on their trucks, they could be at least partially at fault for any accident caused by a blowout. Trucking companies must follow strict safety guidelines regarding vehicle maintenance and operation, and any breach of these rules could be grounds for legal action against them.

Injuries From Tire Blowout Accidents

The most common injuries resulting from truck tire blowout accidents include:

What Should I Do if a Tire Blowout Hits My Car?

If you’re in a crash caused by a tire blowout, you can protect your health and your right to compensation starting at the accident scene. Stay calm and remember that safety is the priority.

Follow these steps to ensure that you and your passengers are protected:

  • Check for injuries – The first thing you should do after a tire blowout is to check yourself and any passengers for injuries.
  • Contact the police – Call 911 immediately to inform them of the accident, its location, and any injuries. The police will investigate the incident, create a police report, and provide official documentation of the collision.
  • Gather information – Document the truck accident scene by taking photos of the damaged vehicles and any debris from the tire on the road. Also, get the names, contact numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance policy numbers of everyone involved.
  • Seek medical attention – Go to the doctor, even if you have no apparent injuries. The symptoms of many injuries take time to appear yet can worsen dramatically without prompt intervention.
  • Keep documentation of your losses – Medical records, repair estimates, pay stubs, and receipts for incidental expenses can help establish the compensable losses you suffered.
  • Contact a truck accident lawyer – If you were injured due to a truck tire blowout accident, a truck accident attorney can oversee the claims process and push for maximum compensation for you.

Recovering Compensation in a Tire Blowout Accident Claim

You could be entitled to compensation for the harm you suffered in a tire blowout accident. However, proving that another party is to blame requires proof, and the trucking industry is bound by strict regulations. A knowledgeable lawyer can use any violations to strengthen your case. An experienced tire blowout attorney can investigate the crash, determine who is to blame, and aggressively pursue compensation for losses like:

  • Medical bills
  • Vehicle repairs
  • Lost wages
  • Diminished earning potential
  • Pain and suffering

Hurt in a Tire Blowout Truck Accident? Swenson & Shelley Can Help

You deserve compensation if you’re coping with injuries from a truck accident someone else caused. Let Swenson & Shelley work to deliver justice for you. Call or contact us today for a free consultation with a skilled truck accident attorney. We offer free consultations, and there are no fees unless we win.