What you’ll learn reading this article:

• Truck tire blowouts can cause serious road accidents.
• You can sue the trucking company or even the tire manufacturer.
• Surviving the accident financially is an important part of your recovery.

Have you ever been driving next to a big rig when one of its tires blows out? BAM! It’s loud and very scary – especially considering the high speeds semi-trucks travel on Indiana highways.

Truck tire blowouts are hard to predict, but when they happen the results can be devastating. A blown tire can cause a cascade of dangers including, losing control and fishtailing on the road, tipping over, hitting a guardrail, slamming into nearby cars, and causing a horrifying multi-vehicle crash.

Why Do Truck Tires Cause Catastrophic Accidents?

A 5,000-pound passenger car is simply no match for a big truck, which weighs an average of 80,000 pounds. Semi-trucks rely on 18 wheels to keep them rolling along safely, but blowouts happen every day on Indiana roads.

Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that about 12,000 people are injured and 700 are killed in crashes involving large truck accidents every year. About 1% of these truck crashes can be attributed specifically to tire blowouts, some of which happen due to negligence on behalf of the truck driver, trucking company, or tire manufacturer due to defective tires.

The main causes of tire blowouts are:

• Manufacturing defects that make tires more prone to cracks and holes
• Poor maintenance by the individual driver or trucking company
• Improper inflation, including both too much air and not enough air
• Excessive weight when trucks carry loads bigger than their maximums
• Potholes and road debris that damages tires
• Driver error, including excessive braking, fast maneuvers, and failure to see road hazards ahead

What to Do After a Tire Blowout Accident

The moments after a truck tire blowout crash can be confusing and overwhelming, but what you do next could impact your entire life. Here are the best things you can do in this difficult situation.

Stay calm and stay safe. Get to a safe place at the side of the road and calmly assess yourself for injuries.

Call 911 for emergency help. An accident with a big truck often causes severe injuries that need emergency attention.

Seek a medical evaluation. Even if you don’t seem to be severely injured, see a doctor as soon as possible for an evaluation just in case. You could have hidden injuries.

Document the accident. If possible, take photos and videos of the accident scene. This may be your only opportunity to gather valuable evidence you’ll need later.

Talk to your lawyer before anyone else. Answer questions from the police and EMTs, but don’t volunteer extra information. Don’t talk about your accident with friends, family, or on social media until you contact a truck accident lawyer first.

After a Crash, You Can File a Lawsuit

In Indiana, you have a limited time to file a truck accident lawsuit against the commercial trucking company and/or the tire manufacturer. These companies carry huge insurance policies because they know road accidents are inevitable.

But it can be very difficult to get the insurance company to pay on a claim, and even if they pay, they might make you an offer that’s insultingly low. Save your medical bills and other paperwork related to the accident, because you may be able to recover compensation for:

• Current and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

You can’t predict when a truck tire blowout will happen, but you can take action if it ever does. Contact an Indiana truck accident attorney who has a thorough understanding of these types of cases. Their experience could be the key to surviving your accident financially so you can focus on your recovery.

Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery – Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured physically or mentally by a person, product, or company, you need to know your legal rights. Our personal injury attorneys are experienced with accident cases like yours and can evaluate what your case may be worth. We will ensure that you are protected and compensated for your injuries and losses. Why pay up to 40% in attorney fees? Our fee is only 25%* and we fight to win your case or you pay no attorney fees at all. Don’t hesitate – one of our experienced attorneys can assist you right away. Call 1-800-265-9881 for a free case review.