Commercial trucks travel thousands of miles across Texas highways every week. With that mileage comes significant wear and tear—especially on tires. When a truck tire blows out at highway speeds in Dallas, the results can be sudden, violent, and catastrophic.
Tire blowouts are not always unavoidable mechanical failures. In many cases, they are linked to poor maintenance, overloading, or failure to follow federal safety regulations. When negligence contributes to a tire-related crash, injured victims may have the right to pursue compensation. An experienced Dallas Truck Accident Attorney can investigate the cause and identify all responsible parties.
Why Tire Blowouts Are So Dangerous
A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When a tire suddenly fails:
- The driver may lose steering control
- The trailer may begin to sway
- The truck can jackknife
- The vehicle may roll over
- Debris may scatter across multiple lanes
On high-speed roadways like I-35E, I-20, or I-635, a single blowout can trigger a chain-reaction crash involving multiple vehicles.
Common Causes of Truck Tire Blowouts
Truck tire failures often result from preventable issues, including:
Poor Maintenance
Commercial carriers are required to inspect and maintain tires regularly. Neglecting worn tread, improper inflation, or sidewall damage increases blowout risk.
Overloaded Trucks
Excess cargo weight places additional stress on tires, increasing the chance of failure.
Improper Inflation
Both underinflation and overinflation can lead to uneven wear and sudden rupture.
Defective Manufacturing
In some cases, a tire defect may contribute to the failure.
Retread Failures
Some commercial trucks use retreaded tires. If improperly installed or maintained, they can separate under pressure.
Each of these factors may point to negligence.
Federal Regulations Governing Tire Safety
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict standards for tire condition, including:
- Minimum tread depth requirements
- Prohibitions on exposed cords or belt material
- Requirements for proper inflation
- Mandatory pre-trip inspections
Failure to comply with these standards can establish liability in a truck accident claim.
A knowledgeable Dallas Truck Accident Attorney can review inspection logs and maintenance records to determine whether regulations were violated.
Who May Be Liable in a Tire Blowout Accident?
Responsibility may extend beyond the truck driver. Potentially liable parties include:
- The trucking company
- A maintenance contractor
- A tire manufacturer
- A cargo loading company (if overloading contributed)
Identifying all responsible parties is essential to ensure adequate compensation.
Evidence in Tire-Related Truck Crashes
Investigating a tire blowout accident often requires preserving key evidence, such as:
- The failed tire itself
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Weight tickets and cargo documentation
- Electronic control module (ECM) data
- Driver pre-trip inspection reports
Because physical evidence can be lost or discarded quickly, early legal intervention is critical.
Injuries Often Resulting from Blowout Accidents
Tire blowouts frequently lead to high-impact or rollover collisions. Victims may suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Internal organ injuries
- Severe lacerations
- Permanent disability
Secondary crashes caused by flying tire debris can also result in serious harm.
Insurance Company Defense Strategies
Insurers may argue that:
- The blowout was unavoidable
- Road debris caused the failure
- Weather conditions contributed
- Another driver caused the chain reaction
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system. If a victim is found partially at fault, compensation may be reduced. Strong mechanical analysis is often necessary to counter these defenses.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
Critical evidence in tire blowout cases may be lost if not preserved promptly. This includes:
- Damaged tire components
- Inspection logs
- Electronic data
- Driver maintenance reports
An experienced Dallas Truck Accident Attorney can issue preservation notices and coordinate expert mechanical analysis.
What to Do After a Tire Blowout Truck Accident
If you are involved in a truck crash caused by a tire failure:
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Contact law enforcement.
- Document debris and vehicle positions if possible.
- Avoid giving recorded statements without legal advice.
- Preserve medical and employment records.
These steps can strengthen your claim.
Final Thoughts
Truck tire blowouts on Dallas highways are often preventable. Whether caused by poor maintenance, overloading, or defective equipment, these mechanical failures can lead to devastating consequences.
Determining liability requires careful investigation and technical expertise. With experienced legal representation, injured victims can pursue full compensation and hold negligent trucking companies accountable for preventable tire-related accidents.
