Truck drivers, as well as the companies that employ them, have a duty to ensure that the vehicles they use to transport goods across the country are well-maintained and in good working order in order to prevent hazards to other motorists. Part of this duty requires truckers to double-check that their rig is safe to drive after each stop.
While it may seem that equipment failures on large trucks are rare, the opposite is true. Many of the parts on a semi-truck are rated at certain speeds, and when a driver exceeds that speed, there is an increased risk of equipment failure. Of course, any part of a semi-truck can fail, but tires are the main culprit and present the most serious risk of causing a serious or fatal accident.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration estimates that of the roughly 14,000 truck and bus accidents occurring between the years of 2009 and 2013, approximately 200 were caused by tire blow-outs. In some cases, tire blow-outs are due to manufacturer errors, but blow-outs can also be caused by user errors. For example, if a truck driver fails to ensure that a tire is properly inflated or drives on a tire that is too worn, blow-outs are more likely to occur.
Woman Killed When Struck by Stray Tire on Highway
Earlier this month, one woman was killed when her vehicle was struck by an errant tire that had come loose from another vehicle and crashed into her windshield. According to a local news report covering the tragic accident, the woman was heading northbound on the highway when a tire came loose from a truck traveling in the opposite direction. The tire bounced over the center median and crashed into the woman’s windshield.
Emergency workers responded within minutes and took the woman to a nearby hospital, but sadly she passed away a short time later. The front-seat passenger in the woman’s vehicle was also injured, although she is expected to recover. The three back-seat passengers were not injured. Police are conducting an investigation into the fatal accident and will likely look into how and why the tire came off the truck.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in any kind of Maryland truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The skilled personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at the Maryland law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers represent clients across the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. areas. With decades of collective experience handling a wide range of truck accident cases, our attorneys know how to effectively represent victims throughout the entire trial process. Call 410-654-3600 today to schedule a free consultation to meet with an attorney to discuss your case. Calling is free, and we will not bill you for our services unless we are able to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
More Blog Posts:
Determining Liability in Maryland Multi-Vehicle Accidents, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 5, 2017.
Trucking Accidents Near Maryland Construction Zones, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published May 24, 2017.