Preparing for Tire Blowouts When Passing Semi Trucks on California Highways
California is home to some of the most congested and busiest highways in the US. Many of these routes are a popular choice for semi-truck drivers. This means that anytime you hit the road you will likely be sharing it with a large commercial vehicle. Driving alongside semi-trucks, or big rigs, increases the likelihood of an accident involving a tire blowout.
When semi-trucks experience tire blowouts, they can quickly become a significant danger to those around them. If you were involved in a severe tire blowout accident with a large truck, contact an experienced California truck accident lawyer for an assessment of your case. Keep reading for a guide on how to be best prepared when driving next to semi-trucks.
What Causes Tire Blowouts on California Highways?
A commonly assumed cause of a tire blowout in semi-trucks is hazardous objects striking the tire on the road. However, the leading causes of tire blowouts are two other serious reasons. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has concluded that the two root causes for big rig tire blowouts are negligent maintenance and negligent inspection. Specific causes may include:
- Excessive braking
- Under or over-inflation of tires
- General tire wear that is neglected during routine maintenance
- Overloading the trailer
- General tire wear that may indicate other maintenance issues
- Uneven wear patterns in tires or mismatched tires
- Failure to acknowledge tire recalls
When an accident is preventable by the truck driver or trucking company, the accident can generally be considered as the result of negligent behavior. If you are injured in a severe tire blowout accident, you may be able to recover compensation with the help of a California truck accident lawyer.
Injuries You May Endure in a Tire Blowout Accident Involving a Semi-Truck
Tire blowout injuries can range in severity depending on the accident. More often than not, you may sustain more than one injury in the event of a collision with a semi-truck on a busy interstate. These injuries may be soft tissue damage, broken bones, or other serious catastrophic injuries.
In more serious accidents, victims may even be crushed between a vehicle and a semi-truck, resulting in lifelong injuries to the spine, skull, or limbs. Experiencing such catastrophic injuries can lead to emotional trauma and damage because of the extreme toll it takes on your life after the accident. Other injuries may include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Crush injuries and nerve damage
- Head injuries
- Severe lacerations
- Loss of limbs
- Fractures
- Damage to soft tissue
- Severe contusions
- Burns
- Sprains
- Death
Being in an accident involving a large commercial vehicle like a semi-truck can be traumatic and devastating for your physical, financial, and emotional well-being. If you think negligence was involved in your accident, contact a seasoned California truck lawyer to help you obtain the accountability you deserve for your injuries.
Contact a California Truck Accident Lawyer at Eric Ratinoff Law Corp
When you have been in a severe truck accident, it is important to get medical attention promptly. If you are able, documenting the scene of the accident can also be useful down the road. Working with an experienced California truck accident lawyer at Eric Ratinoff Law Corp. can help you not only receive just compensation for your injuries, but also connect you with the resources and care you need to recover.
The legal team at Eric Ratinoff Law Corp has over 25 years of experience advocating for clients in California communities to get the compensation they deserve. Attorney Eric Ratinoff has extensive knowledge regarding specific federal and California laws pertaining to the commercial trucking industry to build your claim and fight for you. Call (916) 970-9100 for a free consultation or fill out our contact form for more information.
