Who Can Be Held Responsible For A Truck Accident Caused By Defective Tires?
When a passenger vehicle experiences a tire blowout, the car or SUV may shift suddenly, causing the driver to lose control.
When a large semi-truck experiences a tire blowout, the consequences can be disastrous.
A truck tire blowout is caused by a sudden loss of pressure to the tire, which can be caused by hitting an object or other debris damage, heat, underinflation, poor maintenance, carrying heavy loads, or during the manufacturing process.
At the Law Office of Samuel I. Kane, our New Mexico truck accident attorneys know that most blowouts can often be attributed to defective tires that lead to accidents that could have been prevented.
These collisions occur without notice and can leave our New Mexico residents severely injured and are often fatal when a large truck collides with a much smaller passenger vehicle.
If you have been involved in an accident with a large truck that was caused by defective tires, we will assist you and your loved ones in building a case against the negligent party responsible for the unsafe circumstances that led to the crash.
How Frequently Do Large Truck Accidents Occur Because of Defective Tires?
Each year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration conducts a Large Truck Crash Causation Study that identifies the causes of crashes between semi-trucks and at least one other vehicle.
In those studies, defective tires were listed as the second-highest mechanical cause of truck collisions, right behind brake problems.
Who Is Responsible For A Defective Tire Truck Accident In New Mexico?
Proving who is at-fault after a defective tire truck accident requires an extensive investigation into the collision, the truck, the company’s operations, and even the truck driver.
That is why it is so important to partner with an experienced New Mexico truck accident attorney who can conduct a proper investigation, review and preserve the evidence of the crash, and successfully hold the at-fault party — or combination of parties — responsible for your injuries.
The most common at-fault parties who are responsible for defective tire truck accidents can include:
- Tire Manufacturers
Last year alone there, U.S. tire manufacturers listed 14 separate tire recalls, including one by Cooper Tire & Rubber Company that affected over 4,000 commercial trucks that were operating with defective tires. When accidents occur because of their product’s malfunction, or their negligence in implementing a recall, they may be held responsible for the accident, injuries, or fatalities that occur as a result.
- Tire Distributors
Tire distributors are obligated to sell safe products to consumers, including truck drivers and trucking companies who are maintaining their fleets. If they are negligently distributing defective products, they may be held accountable for the collisions and injuries that result.
- Truck Drivers
Federal guidelines require all truck drivers to thoroughly inspect their trucks each day and before each trip. This includes ensuring the tires are properly inflated and that there is no obvious damage that will result in a blowout while on the roadway.
- Trucking Companies
When trucking companies are negligent in their responsibilities to maintain a safe fleet, they may be at-fault when a truck accident occurs. That can include delaying maintenance appointments or outfitting semi-trucks with inferior tire products to save money.
- Maintenance Shops or Technicians
Failing to identify defective tires on a large truck can put everyone on our roadways in danger. When a maintenance shop or technician is charged with ensuring the semi-trucks safe transit, they must be thorough in their inspections and recommendations for replacement parts — including the tires.
If you have been involved in a truck accident that was caused by defective tires, contact our New Mexico truck accident attorneys today at 575-222-0472 to schedule a free consultation. We will review your claim and identify the at-fault parties who can be pursued for financial compensation, so you can focus on getting the medical care you deserve while we build your case.
