Tractor-Trailer Tire Blowouts In Seattle, WA

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Truck accidents happen for many reasons, including driver error, equipment failures, and environmental conditions. Although any vehicle can experience a breakdown, commercial trucks have a much higher risk of equipment faults simply due to the greater stresses they endure.

Tractor-trailer tire blowouts in Seattle, WA, are particularly risky. A Seattle truck accident lawyer from Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help you pursue financial compensation from trucking companies, tire manufacturers, and other at-fault parties after an accident involving a tire blowout. We have decades of combined experience and have recovered tens of millions of dollars.

Contact us today at (206) 727 4000 to schedule a free consultation.

How Davis Law Group Can Help After A Tractor-Trailer Tire Blowout Accident In Seattle, WA

For decades, Davis Law Group has represented crash victims against those responsible for their injuries. Our Seattle truck accident attorneys have decades of experience fighting insurers and at-fault parties for fair compensation.

If you get hit by a tractor-trailer, our law firm will provide the following legal services:

• Analyzing your crash and its causes to determine your legal options
• Filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurer using medical records and other evidence
• Negotiating to resolve your case fairly and quickly
• Initiating a lawsuit if the insurer denies your claim

Truck accidents in Seattle, Washington, often result from negligence by truck drivers or trucking companies. We will investigate how negligence has contributed to your accident, whether it’s through driver actions, improper maintenance, or corporate oversight.

Contact our Seattle personal injury lawyers for a free consultation.

Causes Of Tire Blowout Truck Accidents In Seattle

A semi-truck has eighteen wheels, hence the nickname “18-wheeler.” Most of the wheels are paired. Specifically, the trailer usually has two axles with four tires each. Likewise, the tractor has two drive axles with four tires each. These four axles account for 16 tires. A blowout on these axles will throw debris toward other vehicles, but it will usually not destabilize the truck.

However, the steering axle only has two tires. A blowout on the steering axle could have severe consequences. The driver may lose control of the truck, causing it to swerve. If the truck becomes unstable, it could lose its load onto the road or roll over.

Some common causes of tire blowouts include the following:

Wear

Tires wear down over time. The rubber gives them traction, but the friction between the road and tires causes the material to heat up and disintegrate. As a result, the tire tread and walls become thin and cracked, and they can fail over time.

The solution is to change tires regularly. When the trucking company or its maintenance contractor fails to replace the tires on schedule, a tire blowout crash can result.

Defective Tires

Tires usually include several layers of material held together with adhesives. These materials provide structure, strength, and flexibility. If the layers or adhesives are misapplied, they can separate, causing the tire to fail.

Improper Inflation

Tires are designed for a specific internal pressure. Overinflated tires have excessive pressure and may rupture under the heat and pressure they experience on the road. Underinflated tires can flex under the truck’s weight and overheat, causing the material to break down. In either case, the tire can burst.

Debris On The Road

Road debris can puncture tires. These failures may occur immediately after the tire is punctured. The rupture may also be delayed as the debris works its way into the tire. Thus, the blame for these failures may fall on the trucking company if it failed to inspect its truck tires regularly.

Liability For Tire Blowout Truck Accidents In Washington

The main parties that can bear liability for a tire-related truck accident include the tire manufacturer, the trucking company, and the maintenance contractor. Tire manufacturers are liable for defectively designed or manufactured tires. If a tire defect caused the crash, you can pursue a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

The trucking company might be liable due to the driver’s negligence under a legal doctrine called vicarious liability. For example, suppose that a driver suspected the truck’s tire was not functioning correctly because the truck was wobbling. The driver continued to drive instead of stopping to check the tire. If the tire fails and causes an accident, the driver is to blame.

However, the truck driver’s employer is likely liable for their worker’s negligence. In other words, employers are typically liable for negligence committed by their employees in the course and scope of their job duties.

Trucking companies can also be liable for their own acts. For example, a trucking company that consistently uses tires beyond their recommended lifetime might be liable for carelessly sending risky trucks onto the roads.

Finally, many trucking companies outsource their maintenance. The repair shop might be liable if it was careless in inspecting or replacing tires. As a result of their shoddy work, the tires could fail. The maintenance contractor would be liable for any injuries arising from its negligence.

Contact Our Seattle Truck Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation

Many parties may be legally responsible for your tire blowout collision. Our Seattle truck accident lawyers can help you determine who is liable for your accident. With decades of combined experience and tens of millions of dollars, we have a proven track record of success.

Contact Davis Law Group to schedule a free consultation.