Truck Tire Blowouts in Mississippi

Truck Tire Blowouts: A Ticking Time Bomb on Mississippi Highways

/by

Tire blowouts are a significant danger on Mississippi highways, and tractor-trailers are especially prone to them. When a tire’s air pressure drops dramatically and deflates rapidly, it can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. This can lead to serious accidents and injuries for the driver and others on the road.

Have you been injured after a truck’s tire has blown out? Let’s talk about your next steps. Call Reeves & Mestayer at 228-374-5151 to set up a time to meet with our team.

Causes of Tire Blowouts

Tire blowouts in tractor-trailers are a pressing concern on Mississippi highways, and understanding their root causes is essential for improving safety. Blowouts can turn a routine trip into a hazardous situation, endangering drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike. By identifying the factors contributing to tire blowouts, we can take steps toward prevention and ensure safer roads for everyone.:

  • Improper Inflation: Tires that are either overinflated or underinflated are prone to failure. Overinflated tires can become rigid and less able to absorb impacts, while underinflated tires generate excessive heat due to increased friction, leading to structural weaknesses.
  • Excessive Wear and Tear: Tires naturally degrade over time, but the intense stress experienced by tractor-trailers accelerates this process. Worn treads reduce grip on the road and leave tires vulnerable to punctures or bursts.
  • Manufacturing Defects: Though less common, flaws during the production process can result in structural weaknesses. These defects may include uneven tread, weak sidewalls, or improperly cured rubber.
  • Load Overcapacity: Trucks carrying heavier loads than their tires are rated for place immense pressure on the tires. Overloading can cause tires to give out prematurely, especially during long hauls on highways.
  • Road Hazards: Potholes, debris, sharp objects, and uneven surfaces can damage tires and lead to blowouts. Mississippi highways, like many others, may present such hazards that trucks must navigate regularly.
  • Improper Maintenance: Neglecting regular inspections and maintenance, such as checking air pressure, aligning wheels, and rotating tires, can allow minor issues to escalate into major failures.
  • Extreme Weather Conditions: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures, as commonly experienced in Mississippi summers, can cause tire materials to degrade faster. Heat expands the air inside the tire, increasing pressure and the risk of failure.

Each of these factors plays a critical role in the safety and performance of truck tires. For instance, improper inflation is one of the leading causes of blowouts, making it vital for drivers to carefully monitor air pressure with frequent checks. Similarly, road hazards and heavy loads intensify wear and tear, highlighting the importance of driving cautiously and abiding by weight limits. Even less common causes like manufacturing defects should not be overlooked, as they can compromise the integrity of an entire batch of tires.

Tire maintenance also cannot be overstated. A simple oversight, such as failing to replace an aging tire, can lead to catastrophic consequences. Maintenance schedules should be adhered to rigorously, with particular attention paid to high-stress components. In addition, manufacturers and fleet operators must remain vigilant in ensuring proper tire specifications for the vehicles they equip.

To summarize, tire blowouts result from a combination of preventable and environmental factors. While some causes, like road hazards, may be unavoidable, many others, such as improper inflation and poor maintenance, can be mitigated with proactive measures. By addressing these issues head-on, we can significantly reduce the risks posed by tire blowouts and make highways safer for all who travel on them.

Dangers of Tire Blowouts

When a truck has a tire blowout, the driver almost always loses control, which often leads to serious accidents. This is dangerous not only for the truck driver but also for other drivers and pedestrians nearby. The force of the blowout can cause the truck to swerve or even flip over, increasing the risk of injury.

Debris from the blown tire can scatter across the road, creating additional hazards for other vehicles. Cars trying to dodge this debris can also end up in accidents. Moreover, the sudden stop or loss of control can cause traffic jams and delays. These situations highlight the seriousness of tire blowouts and why it is so important to take steps to prevent them.

Legal Concerns with Tire Blowouts

When a tire blowout causes an accident, figuring out who is responsible can be complex. The fault can lie with different parties, such as the truck driver, the company that owns the truck, or the manufacturer of the tire. For example, if the driver did not properly maintain the tires or check the pressure, they could be held liable.

On the other hand, if the tire had a defect from the manufacturer, then the company that made the tire might be responsible. A company may also be liable if they know tires are worn out or past their usable lifespan, but they force a driver to take a trip anyway. Unfortunately, this is somewhat common in this industry.

Each accident is unique and involves different factors, like how the tire was maintained and whether there were any warnings about a potential issue. This is why it is important to gather evidence, such as maintenance records and expert opinions, to understand what went wrong.

What to Do If You Experience a Tire Blowout

Experiencing a tire blowout can be scary, but knowing what to do can help you stay safe. If a truck experiences a tire blowout in front of you, your top priority is to get out of the danger zone without panicking. It’s very easy at this point to swerve as hard as you can away from the truck, but this often means putting yourself in the path of other vehicles and causing other collisions. Concentrate on where the truck is, where your nearest out is, and where there are gaps in traffic you can use to your advantage. Call emergency services right away so they can control the fallout.

Get the Legal Guidance You Need with Reeves & Mestayer

Our team of truck accident attorneys can help you seek damages after a truck accident. We’re here for you—get started with a free consultation. Call us at 228-374-5151 or send our team a message online to set up a time to talk.