Is it common for trucks to have tire blow outs or are they usually as a result from a defective tire?

Question:  My father is an experienced interstate truck driver who was recently injured when his semi-truck was involved in a rollover accident.  After close inspection, it appears that the accident was due to a blowout of a rear tire.  I know he is very safety conscious and always inspects the equipment carefully.  Is it possible that a defective tire may have been the cause?

Response: A tire blowout occurs when a tire suddenly loses its tread.  These are extremely dangerous when they occur and can cause the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle.  If the blowout occurs on a rear tire and control is lost, it’s easy for the rear of the vehicle to swing around and become perpendicular to the direction of travel.  If this is not immediately remedied the sideways motion of the vehicle allows the bead of the tire to separate from the rim.  When the rim digs into the pavement, it can propel the truck into a rollover situation.

An accident involving a tire blowout may have been the result of a defective product.  Tread separation occurs when the tread peels off the tire due to a design or manufacturing defect.  Additional reasons for the blowout could include road hazards, excessive tire wear, under-inflation of the tire or overloading of the cargo.  Tires can also explode if they are placed on rims of the incorrect size.

If you think that a defective tire caused or contributed to the accident, your father should contact an experienced lawyer to go over the case thoroughly.

Answered by Linda Adams

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