Miami Truck Accidents Lawyer

Truck Accidents Due To Tire Problems: How Drivers And Trucking Companies Are Responsible For This

Turns out, drunk and sleep-deprived truck drivers should not be your only concern when driving your vehicle near monstrous-sized trucks. Tire problems and defects can be just as deadly, as they can lead to devastating truck accidents in Hallandale Beach and elsewhere in Florida.

Tire blowouts are more likely to happen to commercial trucks – including semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and 18-wheelers – as these vehicles have to carry enormous amounts of weight for long hours or days through various weather and road conditions. Of course, the consequences of a tire blowout in trucks can be much more horrendous that those in passenger vehicles.

How truck drivers and trucking companies are responsible for tire problems

While it may seem as if it would be impossible to hold a truck driver and his/her trucking company accountable for a truck accident that occurred due to tire problems or defects, these accidents are actually preventable. Our Miami truck accident attorney at the Dante Law Firm, P.A., explains that while some tire blowouts are caused by debris on the road and poor road conditions, many of them can be avoided through proper tire maintenance and regular inspections of trucks.

Under federal and state laws in Florida, truck drivers are expected to check their tires regularly before embarking on a trip and during the trip. Trucking companies, meanwhile, have to properly inspect and maintain their trucks, and replace tires that do not function properly or are defective or worn-out.

If a truck accident was caused by a tire blowout and you suffered damages because of it, you may be able to recover damages by suing both the truck driver and his/her trucking company for their negligent and inadequate maintenance and inspection of the truck.

Pre-trip inspections by truck drivers to prevent truck accidents

If a truck driver fails to conduct the following inspections before embarking on a trip from point A to point B, he or she should be held liable for any damages arising from a truck accident caused by poor inspection and/or maintenance of the truck:

• Air pressure. Truck drivers must ensure that their truck’s tires meet the federal and state standards and are neither under- or over-inflated. Air pressure checks must be conducted before and during the trip, and in case the driver suspects a leak or mechanical problem, the tire problem or defect must be reported to the trucking company to request a replacement. Tires that are under- or over-inflated are more likely to blow out or catch fire compared to normal tires.
• Tire condition. In case any tire problems or defects, including but not limited to improper alignment, premature and uneven wear, damage, inadequate tread depth, objects or debris stuck between dual tires, air leaks, and other problems with the tire condition are detected during the inspection, the truck driver must report to his/her trucking company.
• Missing valve caps, which often get lost during long trips, must be replaced.
• Tire tread. One of the most common reasons why truck accidents occur due to tire problems is inadequate tire tread. There are strict federal regulations that require steer tires to have a tread depth of a minimum of 4/32 of an inch on every major tread groove. Worn-out tires with treads below the required standard are prone to have poor traction and are more likely to slide in poor weather conditions.

Get compensated for your injuries and damages in a truck accident

A truck driver can be held accountable for a truck accident caused by poor and inadequate pre-trip inspections even if he did conduct inspections but failed to spot any mechanical problems or failed to communicate the problems to his/her trucking company in Miami or elsewhere across Florida.

Trucking companies, meanwhile, have an obligation to (1) hire and train truck drivers who can take proper care of their trucks and conduct accurate pre-trip inspections, (2) keep track of truck tire recalls, and (3) carry out high-quality maintenance services.

Our Miami truck accident attorney warns that inadequate maintenance and inspections of truck tires combined with poor weather conditions can result in catastrophic consequences. So stay away from trucks generally, and especially those whose tires look as if they are about to burst into pieces or are visibly over- or under-inflated.

If you have been injured in a truck accident and want to recover damages, consult with our best trucking accident attorneys in Florida today. Contact the Dante Law Firm, P.A., to schedule a free consultation today. Call our offices at 305-949-2526 or fill out this contact form.