A truck tire blowout can happen without warning and create immediate dangers for you and other drivers nearby. A failed tire can send debris onto the roadway or affect the truck’s ability to remain under control. Because commercial trucks are large and heavy, a tire failure can leave you with little time to react.
How can a truck tire blowout affect nearby drivers?
A blowout is a rapid loss of tire air pressure. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) warns that improper inflation, overloading and exceeding a tire’s speed rating can contribute to tire failure. Trucking companies and drivers should also check tires for problems such as irregular treadwear, cracks, bulges, cuts and foreign objects.
If you are near a truck when a tire fails, the immediate concern is what happens next. Tire debris can enter nearby lanes, while a truck experiencing a tire failure may become harder to control. Either situation can force you to respond quickly.
What should you do around a truck with tire problems?
You cannot always recognize a tire problem before it becomes an emergency. However, giving large trucks enough space can reduce the risk of being caught in a sudden tire failure or loss-of-control event. When traveling near a truck, avoid staying beside it longer than necessary and leave enough following distance to react to unexpected debris or changes in the truck’s movement.
If a tire failure occurs near your vehicle, avoid making a sudden maneuver that could create another crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises drivers experiencing their own blowout to avoid panic or abrupt braking because sudden reactions can cause a loss of control.
What if a truck tire blowout causes a crash?
A tire failure can turn an ordinary highway trip into a serious collision. If debris strikes your vehicle or a truck loses control and causes a crash, move to a safe location when possible and seek medical attention for any injuries. Keep photographs, vehicle damage information and other evidence that may help establish what happened.
A truck tire blowout does not automatically establish who is legally responsible for a crash. An investigation may need to examine the condition of the tire and the events leading to the collision. An attorney can help you understand your options and what evidence may be relevant to your situation.