Speeding Truckers Greatly Increase the Risk of a Blowout
March 7, 2016
Sarasota Truck Accident Attorneys on Blowout Risk
Driving on the highway next to a speeding truck is certainly nerve-wracking. You might think to yourself, how can the driver keep control of an enormous truck at such a high speed? Can such a heavy load be safely carried that fast? You’d be absolutely right to ask those questions. When truck drivers drive too fast, they put dangerous strain on their tires, which can lead to a blowout on the highway. Not only do they put themselves at risk by speeding, but everyone else sharing the road as well, as flying pieces of blown-out tire can cause serious damage to cars and people. You may want to call the experienced Sarasota Truck Accident Attorneys at Jodat Law Group.
The Link Between Excess Speed and Blowouts
According to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA), 3,921 people were killed in accidents involving large trucks in 2014. In about 8% of these cases, the truck driver was speeding. Not only does excessive speed make it harder for a driver to operate the vehicle safely and avoid collisions, but it also puts extra pressure on tires.
However, speed plays a key role: Given the heavy loads that trucks carry, speeding causes excess heat around the tires, which damages the rubber. In fact, the NHTSA found that in most tire blowout cases, the tire manufacturer and the roads were not to blame. Rather, the blowouts were caused by driver error. Most tires are designed to withstand speeds of 75 mph.
On most highways, the speed limit for trucks is lower than 75 mph. Nevertheless, some drivers push the limits in order to log more miles and reach a destination faster. Trucking company employees may put pressure on a driver to travel the maximum distance in a day, even if it’s not safe to do so.
Some states permit truckers to drive at 75 or 85 mph on the highway, which exceeds the limit for tire safety. Other factors can damage tires as well, such as road debris, incorrect tire pressure, and poor maintenance, which can all affect tire performance and safety.
Trucking companies and truck drivers hold the responsibility to operate their vehicles safely, perform routine tire maintenance, and insist their drivers travel at safe speeds. If they fail in these areas, other drivers may be involved in a Sarasota Truck Accident by flying pieces of rubber from the blowout.
How to Proceed if You Were Harmed by a Blowout
When a blowout happens on the highway, there’s usually no time to react quickly enough to get out of harm’s way. If you or a loved one was hurt because of a truck’s tire blowout, it wasn’t your fault, and you may have legal options. Drivers and trucking companies can be held accountable for unsafe practices, including speeding. The Jodat Law Group is experienced in the area of commercial truck accidents, helping victims of collisions and blowouts get the compensation they deserve. Contact your Sarasota Truck Accident Attorneys today to schedule a free consultation. We work on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing up front!