A blown tire caused a Monroe dump truck driver to lose control of their vehicle, resulting in an accident in which an occupant of a passenger car was injured. The accident occurred Friday afternoon when the blown tire caused the dump truck to cross a double yellow line, into the path of the passenger car. The vehicles both left the roadway after the collision and traveled down an embankment.
The occupant of the passenger car had to be extricated from the vehicle by members of the Monroe Fire Department before being transported to Piedmont Athens with serious injuries. The driver of the dump truck as uninjured. The accident remains under investigation.
Dump trucks, like other types of large, commercial vehicles, are difficult to maneuver due to their massive size and weight. The weight of the vehicles often causes the tires to wear prematurely. Commercial vehicle operators are federally required to perform daily vehicle inspections to search for issues that could cause injuries to others on the roadway and to undergo a regular maintenance schedule in order to replace overly worn parts.
Around 33,000 accidents occur each year in the U.S. as a result of tire issues, including about 2,000 accidents caused by tire blow-outs. Factors that can cause a tire blowout include:
Overloading the vehicle, which is a common issue with dump trucks, which are made to transport heavy cargo on construction sites.
Underinflated tires. Underinflation causes the tire’s sidewalls to flex more, which can lead to heat build up that can cause the tire to blow. This is particularly true when the vehicle is also operating at a high speed.
Overly thin tire tread from excessive wear.
Wet road conditions that can make it difficult for the tires to grip the roadway.
If you have been injured in an accident that occurred when someone else experienced a tire blowout, an experienced accident attorney from Cambre & Associates LLC can help you understand the process of seeking compensation for your injuries. For a free case evaluation, contact us online or by calling 770-502-6116.
