Tire blowouts can cause someone to lose control of their vehicle and get into an accident. This is especially dangerous when the vehicle with a blowout is a truck. When it comes to these heavy vehicles, it can be tough to determine exactly who should be held accountable for this kind of accident. Our Westchester County truck accident attorneys can help you determine fault and sue for damages.
What Are the Common Causes of Tire Blowouts?
There are a few things that often cause tire blowouts. Sometimes it’s something on the road that causes a problem. Sometimes this happens because a vehicle isn’t properly cared for. Common issues include:
- Under- or over-inflated tires
- Potholes and road damage
- Overloaded trucks
- Poor tire tread
- Tire defects
- Tires that are mismatched on a heavy vehicle like a truck
Since there are so many potential causes of tire blowouts, who is liable for an accident caused by a blowout can be tough to determine. This is why it’s a good idea to hire a lawyer who can help you investigate and figure out who should be held accountable.
Who Can Be Blamed for Tire Blowouts?
There are a few parties that could be blamed for tire blowouts. In some cases, there may even be multiple parties that need to be held accountable. You could end up suing:
The tire manufacturer: If the tire that blew out was defective, that could be considered the fault of its manufacturer. A company that makes tires for heavy vehicles like trucks should be held to high standards and punished if they make the road more dangerous for others.
The driver: If the driver of a truck is responsible for taking care of their vehicle and inflating tires, they may be partly to blame for a tire blowout. They could also be held liable if they did not act to keep others safe after the tire on their vehicle failed.
A trucking company: The company that owns the truck might be to blame if they haven’t properly inspected or cared for their vehicles.
Cargo loaders: A trailer that is improperly loaded or overloaded could cause a tire blowout.
The government: If a blowout was caused by a big pothole and neglected road maintenance, a government agency could be to blame.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Sue For?
Once you figure out which party or parties should be held liable, you can move forward with a case and sue for damages. A fair compensation offer should help make up for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment
- Pain from disability or disfigurement
- Mental anguish and psychological trauma
Your lawyer can help you calculate a reasonable compensation amount, and then they can help you fight for it.
Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer
So if you were hurt in an accident with a truck and you aren’t sure how to sue for damages, we want to help you. Contact Hausman & Pendzick to schedule a free case consultation. There’s no obligation, so take the time to learn more about your legal options.