Truck tire blowouts in Camas, WA, can be very dangerous for other drivers, as this can contribute to auto accidents. If this happens, you need to be able to prove semi-truck crash liability in Camas so that you can get the compensation you need to make up for the damages.
If you are the victim of a commercial truck accident in Camas, WA, you need to reach out to a professional tire failure truck accident lawyer. At Henderson Taylor Law Firm, our team of truck accident attorneys has extensive experience handling truck accident cases across Washington and can help you file your claim and prove liability.
Keep reading to find out why truck tire blowouts happen in Camas, WA, and how you can prove liability when filing your claim.
Causes of Tire Blowouts
Before we discuss maintenance failure truck crashes in more detail, we need to discuss what can lead to tire blowouts. Tire blowout accidents are very serious, especially when they involve commercial trucks. These accidents have the potential to cause a great deal of damage and can even involve multiple vehicles.
Here are some of the main causes of tire blowouts:
- Manufacturing defects: Tires may not be manufactured correctly, increasing the risk of a tire blowout while on the road. The tire may be constructed from poor quality materials, or it may not have been manufactured correctly through improper curing or improper assembly. Poor quality control can also result in tires that have not been tested or inspected for defects.
- Tire pressure: Both under-inflated and over-inflated tires are more likely to blow out when the truck is in use. This is something that can occur with dramatic changes in temperature.
- Speeding: Tires have speed ratings which indicate the maximum speed that is safe for the tires. If a truck driver is speeding excessively, not only are they putting unnecessary strain on the tires, but they may also be maximizing the speed the tires can handle.
- Poor tire maintenance: Trucking companies are required to maintain truck tires as they are more likely to wear down quite quickly. If the company fails to do this, this can result in mismatched tires, excessive tread wear, and uneven tread wear, increasing the risk of tire blowouts.
- Overloaded trucks: Like speed ratings, tires also have a weight rating that indicates the maximum weight that the tire can support without risking a blowout. If trucks are overloaded, it is very likely that they have exceeded that weight rating.
- Road hazards and weather conditions: Weather conditions can increase the pressure inside of tires, which can contribute to tire blowouts. This can also happen if weather conditions have made the roads hazardous, putting too much strain on the tires. Other common road hazards that can result in tire blowouts include things like debris, sharp objects, and potholes.
Who Can be Held Liable For Tire Blowouts in Camas, WA?
Because there are so many things that can result in a truck tire blowout in Camas, WA, there are multiple parties who could be held responsible. The most common party who may hold liability is the truck driver, as their behavior may have directly contributed to the accident. For example, they may have been speeding or may have been driving erratically.
The trucking company may also be held responsible if they were negligent when it came to truck and tire maintenance. Third parties that the trucking company uses may also hold liability, such as a tire repair company or the truck loaders.
For tire blowouts as a result of manufacturing defects, you may be able to hold the tire manufacturer responsible.
Gathering Proof to Support Your Truck Accident Claim
Even if it is obvious that you were the victim of the truck accident, you still need to prove liability when you file your claim. This can come with challenges, as truck accidents are notoriously complex and the insurance carriers can be difficult to deal with.
The first thing you need to do before you ever start filing your claim is to hire a truck accident attorney in Camas, WA. An attorney will be able to help you with every step of the process, including protecting your rights and negotiating on your behalf.
Here are some of the additional aspects of proving liability that your attorney can help you with:
- Investigating the cause of the tire blowout.
- Getting access to the police record.
- Locating eyewitnesses or experts to testify.
- Accessing dash cam or surveillance camera footage.
- Getting access to truck maintenance and manufacturer records.
- Identifying all possible liable parties.
- Accurately calculating damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Hire an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney at Henderson Taylor Law Firm
Sustaining a defective truck tire injury can have a life-altering impact as well as significant financial ramifications. That is why it is essential to hire a personal injury lawyer to help you file a strong claim that clearly shows who was liable for the accident.
At Henderson Taylor Law Firm, our experienced truck accident lawyers are committed to defending the downtrodden and helping truck accident victims get the settlement they deserve. For expert legal representation from one of our attorneys, contact us today at 360-737-1478 or fill out our online form.
FAQ:
Can the trucking company be held liable for a tire blowout?
Yes, the trucking company may be liable for the accident if they failed to perform tire maintenance or repairs. A trucking company may also be held partially responsible for the truck driver’s behavior if it failed to properly screen its drivers or train them.
What if the tire was defective?
If the tire was defective and that directly contributed to the tire blowout, liability would fall on the tire manufacturer.
Who investigates the cause of the blowout?
To determine why the tire blowout happened, it is best to hire an attorney to handle this on your behalf. An attorney will be able to investigate the root cause of the blowout to determine whether or not liability falls on the driver, trucking company, third-party, or manufacturing company.