Catastrophic Injuries Caused by Truck Wheels and Tires

Truck wheels and tires are critical components of commercial vehicles, and they bear a heavy load every single time a driver heads out with a new load. With all of the wear and tear that wheels and tires endure, it should come as no surprise that issues with these components cause a significant amount of truck accidents each year.

Have you been involved in a crash caused by a rogue tire or wheel? You could be entitled to compensation. Let us help. Call Bailey Javins & Carter at 800-497-0234 to schedule your consultation now.

Risks Posed by Truck Wheels and Tires

Truck wheels and tires are put under immense pressure and stress on a long haul, and this issue is even worse when a truck is overloaded or at max capacity. They are susceptible to various issues that can lead to catastrophic accidents. Some of the common risks posed by truck wheels and tires include:

• Blowouts: Tire blowouts can occur due to factors such as overloading, underinflation, overinflation, or tire defects. When a tire blows out at high speeds, it may cause the driver to lose complete control of the vehicle, leading to severe accidents. These types of crashes are the ones that shut down highways for hours on end.
• Tread separation: Tread separation refers to the detachment of the tire’s tread from the rest of the tire. This may be caused by manufacturing failures, improper or inadequate maintenance, or overuse. This is why manufacturers have limitations on how long tires should be used; limits are given both in terms of time and mileage. Tread separation generally results in sudden loss of traction, increasing the risk of rollovers or collisions.
• Wheel detachment: In some cases, truck wheels may detach from the vehicle due to factors like loose lug nuts, worn-out wheel bearings, or improper installation. Wheel detachment can lead to catastrophic accidents, especially if the wheel strikes another vehicle or pedestrian.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries Caused by Tire and Wheel Issues

Accidents involving truck wheels and tires can result in catastrophic injuries with life-altering consequences for everyone involved. Some of the common types of severe injuries caused by tire and wheel issues include:

• Traumatic brain injuries: TBIs can occur when victims are thrown from their vehicles or struck by debris from a tire blowout or wheel detachment. They may also strike their head on something inside their vehicle during a crash. TBIs can lead to long-term cognitive impairments, physical deficits, and emotional challenges. A lot depends on which part of the brain is affected and how quickly a victim seeks treatment.
• Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries can result from the impact of a truck accident, leading to partial or complete paralysis. Victims may require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care to manage their condition.
• Crush injuries: Crush injuries can occur when victims are trapped or pinned beneath a truck’s tires. These injuries can cause permanent damage to bones, muscles, and other parts of the body.
• Amputations: In severe accidents involving tire blowouts or wheel detachments, victims may suffer traumatic limb amputations. Amputations can have profound physical and psychological effects on victims, necessitating lifelong physical rehabilitation and mental health treatment.

Liability Concerns

Determining liability can be fairly difficult in an accident caused by a tire or wheel blowout. First, your attorney or the expert witness they call in will have to determine why the wheel blew out. This may involve looking at maintenance and inspection logs. If a trucking company waited too long to do an inspection or drove the tires long past their recommended usage period, the company may be at fault for knowingly allowing drivers to use unsafe tires. But what if the company performed regular maintenance and replaced the tires as required?

In this situation, you may have to dig a bit deeper and find out if it’s a manufacturing issue. If a manufacturer designed an unsafe tire, used inadequate materials or took shortcuts during the manufacturing process, they may be held liable.

Explore Your Legal Options with the Team at Bailey Javins & Carter

Accidents caused by defective wheels or tires can result in complex personal injury claims, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fight for the compensation you deserve. Set up your consultation with our team of Charleston personal injury lawyers now. Call us at 800-497-0234 or send us a message online.