Truck Tire Blowout Accident Cases
An 18-wheeler carries 18 tires. When one fails at highway speed, the result is a violent loss of control, flying debris, and vehicles forced off the road. Federal law imposes strict tire maintenance requirements — failures are rarely just "accidents."
How Truck Tire Blowouts Cause Accidents
A tire blowout on an 18-wheeler creates at least three distinct dangers:
- 1. Loss of vehicle control: The sudden force of a blowout can jerk the steering wheel violently, cause jackknifing, or send the truck into adjacent lanes.
- 2. Debris projectiles: Retreaded or defective tires shed large rubber chunks ("gators") at high speed that become deadly projectiles for following vehicles.
- 3. Secondary crashes: Vehicles swerving to avoid debris cause chain-reaction collisions.
FMCSA Tire Requirements
Federal regulations under 49 CFR Part 393 require commercial truck tires to:
- → Have sufficient tread depth (minimum 4/32" on front axle, 2/32" on other axles)
- → Be free from cuts, bulges, and exposed ply or cord
- → Be properly inflated for load and speed
- → Not be mismatched in size or type on the same axle
- → Be included in pre-trip inspections
Violations of these requirements constitute federal safety violations that directly support your negligence claim.
Common Causes of Tire Blowouts
- → Under-inflation: The leading cause of tire failure — under-inflated tires overheat and fail
- → Worn-out tires: Continuing to use tires past their safe service life
- → Defective retreads: Retreaded tires have a higher failure rate; improperly retreaded tires are especially dangerous
- → Overloaded vehicles: Loads exceeding tire weight ratings cause tire failure
- → Manufacturing defects: Defective tires are the basis for product liability claims against the manufacturer
- → Road hazards: Potholes and debris damage tires — inadequate road maintenance may implicate government liability
Who Can Be Held Liable
- Trucking company: Failed pre-trip tire inspections, continued use of worn tires, improper loading
- Tire maintenance company: Third-party shops responsible for tire service and replacement
- Tire manufacturer: Defective design or manufacturing under product liability law
- Retread company: Improperly retreaded tires that fail prematurely
- Road maintenance authority: Government liability for road hazards that caused the blowout
Preserve the Tire
The failed tire is critical evidence. An attorney can subpoena the trucking company to preserve it for expert inspection before it is discarded or destroyed.