Maryland Truck Accidents Due to Tire Defects
Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer
Truck tire blowout, often caused by defective tires, is an extremely serious road hazard that often results in collisions with injuries and deaths. Most everyone has seen the remnants of a truck tire along the roadway, and many of us had to do some skilled maneuvering to avoid these sometimes-large pieces of rubber. If you have been involved in a truck accident in Maryland, there is legal help available to you. Truck accidents, even more so than many automobile accidents, almost always result in serious injury and fatality.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, debris on the highways causes over 25,000 accidents and at least 100 deaths every year in the United States and Canada. Blown tire pieces (typically from tractor trailers) are the number one form of road debris.
Importance of Proper Inflation
Most tire-related truck accidents in Maryland are caused by tires being improperly inflated. It is imperative that truckers maintain proper inflation for a given tire size and load. It is actually the air inside the tire, and not the tire itself that carries the weight of the vehicle, absorbs the shock, and keeps the tire in its proper shape so it can perform as it should.
When tires are over inflated, excessive wear occurs at the very center of the tread because this area bears the majority of the vehicle’s weight. Over-inflated tires do not absorb road hazards as well as properly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a puncture or impact damage.
Important Safety Measures
Tire pressure should only be checked when the tire is “cold” (before it’s driven or has been driven less than a mile). Tires that are “hot” will show an increase in air pressure, resulting in an inaccurate reading. Tractor trailer tires should be checked for proper inflation as often as once per week. Checking tire alignment regularly is also highly recommended. Once a tire problem is detected, whether your drive an automobile or a commercial truck, stopping immediately is your best bet. Even continuing to the next rest stop or service station can be disastrous. Tires driven with improper inflation and/or alignment will eventually come apart, and the results can be deadly.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Maryland, please contact the experienced accident attorneys at Maryland Accident Lawyers today to schedule your free initial consultation.
