Accidents between 18-wheelers and other vehicles happen all the time, but tire blowouts cause more of them than people might think. Losing a tire on the road is a big problem for any vehicle, of course, but when an 18-wheeler blows a tire and loses control the results can be far more devastating. With that potential for serious harm in mind, people may wonder: Who is to blame (liable) for an 18-wheeler tire blowout accident?

Answer: The potentially-liable parties for an 18-wheeler tire blowout accident include the truck driver, their employer, the tire manufacturer, and the mechanics who installed or maintained it.

One, several, or all of the above parties may be partly or fully liable for injuries caused in the wreck, and determining which one(s) should be held accountable can be tough. Below we'll look at each party, how they might be responsible for a blowout crash, and what might be needed to prove it.

Possible Defendants in a Commercial Tire Blowout Case

As with most accidents, there's no universal "one size fits all" explanation for a tire blowout wreck. The tire might have been defective right off the line, put on a truck wrong, used too long without replacement, or just had the bad luck to roll over something sharp.

Since all those possible causes may result in basically the same effect, the tire will need forensic examination. Furthermore, many people, including personnel from companies that might have handled the tire, will have to be questioned under oath. Here are some of the parties to look into:

• Truck Driver - The driver of the 18-wheeler that lost a tire could be responsible for a resulting crash if they failed to properly monitor and maintain their truck. That could mean they didn't regularly check tire pressure, didn't inspect the tires for signs of wear and tear, or overloaded their trailer and put extra stress on the tires, among other things.
  • How to prove it - Proving a truck driver's negligence caused a blowout accident often involves gathering evidence at the crash scene. For example, witness statements, traffic or dashboard camera footage, and ECM data from the truck could be used to show the driver was careless. A skilled attorney will also look into the driver's records to see whether there is a history of similar problems.
• Trucking Company - If the company that put the truck and driver on the road failed to maintain the truck, inadequately screened or trained the driver, enforced unrealistic schedules that encouraged dangerous driving, or knowingly allowed the use of defective tires on its vehicles, it may be responsible for any accidents that result from its negligent practices.
  • How to prove it - Proving the company was negligent takes careful examination of its records and practices. Files on the truck (inspection records, maintenance logs, safety reports) and the driver (schedule, routes, hours of service logs, communication logs), as well as documentation about hiring/training protocols and fleet maintenance schedules, could be used to show the company dropped the ball in one or more critical ways.
• Tire Manufacturer - If the blowout was due to a defective tire—one made of inferior materials or not made to proper specifications, for example—the tire manufacturer could be held liable for making a faulty product or failing to provide proper warnings about its flaws.
  • How to prove it - Showing the tire was defective requires professional analysis, including forensic examination and extensive laboratory testing. Comparing the tire to industry standards, checking into its recall history, and consulting industry experts could also yield supporting evidence of manufacturer negligence.
• Tire Maintenance Company - If the 18-wheeler's tires were improperly installed, serviced, or maintained by third-party mechanics, their employer could be held liable for a blowout accident caused by improper tire maintenance.
  • How to prove it - Proving the maintenance company is responsible for a blowout accident takes clear evidence from the place the truck was serviced. Records of tire maintenance, service contracts, video footage from the maintenance bays or the truck, and expert testimony on deviations from proper procedures could all help to show the company was negligent.

How Can an Attorney Help?

Any or all of the parties listed above might contribute to a tire blowout accident, and all of them are likely to dispute their involvement. It takes a particular skillset to assemble experts qualified to determine who is at fault, and another skillset to hold the wrongdoers accountable for their actions. Experienced tire blowout litigators, like those at Grossman Law Offices, have both.

The Texas truck accident attorneys at Grossman Law Offices have successfully litigated many tire blowout cases, and they recognize the value of a thorough investigation for victims and families. If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a tire blowout accident, call Grossman Law any time for a free and confidential consultation.