Large trucks are more vulnerable to equipment failures than passenger automobiles. Tractor-trailers experience a lot of use and abuse. As a result, trucking companies must perform regular inspections and maintenance to reduce the risk of tractor-trailer tire blowouts in Peoria, Illinois.
Trucking companies that fail to reasonably maintain their vehicles bear liability for any truck accidents they cause. Additionally, manufacturers of defective tires may be liable when those tires fail. Joel E. Brown, P.C. proudly represents clients injured by these and other negligent circumstances.
If you need help, contact our Peoria tractor-trailer tire blowout lawyer at (309) 673-4357 for a free initial consultation.
How Joel E. Brown, P.C. Can Help After a Tractor-Trailer Tire Blowout Accident in Peoria, IL
At Joel E. Brown, P.C., we have more than 30 years of combined legal experience helping injured people in Peoria, Illinois. We’ve recovered tens of millions for our clients and have a proven track record of success.
If you were injured in a truck accident caused by someone else’s actions, our Peoria truck accident attorney can provide the following assistance:
- Advising you about your legal options
- Collecting evidence and filing an insurance claim on your behalf
- Negotiating with claims adjusters to resolve your case
- Taking your case to court if we can’t secure a fair settlement
The liability for a truck crash caused by faulty equipment may fall on the trucking company or the equipment manufacturer. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Peoria truck accident lawyer and discover how we can seek damages from the parties responsible for your injuries.
Semi-Truck Tire Blowout Statistics in Illinois
According to federal statistics, Illinois had 6,679 truck accidents in 2024, including 128 fatal crashes and 6,551 non-fatal crashes. These collisions caused 146 deaths and 3,188 non-fatal injuries. If you filter the data by the first harmful event, you’ll find that equipment failures caused 10 of these events, or roughly 0.14% of the state’s commercial truck accidents.
The statistics don’t state how many of these crashes were caused by tire problems. However, tire blowouts and brake failures are among the leading causes of equipment-related truck crashes. Because of the way the statistics are presented, though, it can only be inferred that up to 10 crashes in Illinois in 2024 resulted from tire blowouts.
Common Causes of Heavy Truck Tire Failures
Tractor-trailers have 18 tires, hence their colloquial name, “18-wheelers.” These tires are located as follows:
- Two tires on the tractor’s steering wheels
- Eight tires on the tractor’s drive wheels
- Eight tires on the trailer’s axles
Tire blowouts occur when a tire catastrophically deflates. The shredded pieces of the tire are frequently thrown toward other vehicles. The effect on the tractor-trailer depends on which tire ruptured.
If a steering or drive tire blows, the driver may lose control of the vehicle as it pulls to one side, potentially veering into an adjacent lane. The truck may even jackknife as the driver struggles to regain control. If the trailer loses one of its tires, it may tilt, leading to a cargo shift or lost-load accident.
Tire failures can happen for the following reasons:
Worn Tires
Trucks often carry tons of cargo thousands of miles in extreme conditions. As a result, their tires wear rapidly. If the driver doesn’t periodically inspect the tires while on the road, they can wear dangerously thin. Likewise, a trucking company’s failure to inspect the tires between trips can result in a blowout.
Damaged Tires
Tires may also sustain damage during a trip or between trips at the trucking company’s facility. If the driver reports a damaged tire and the trucking company doesn’t replace it, the company’s carelessness might lead to a blowout and subsequent crash.
Defective Tires
Tires that look normal can contain hidden defects resulting from a faulty design or manufacturing process. For example, the layers in the tire, also known as plies, can separate if the adhesive breaks down due to the heat generated as the truck rolls down the road.
Liability For Tire Blowout Crashes Under Illinois Law
The liability for a tire blowout might fall on the trucking company or the tire manufacturer, depending on the circumstances. To prove a trucking company’s liability, you must establish that the company or its employees acted negligently.
For example, suppose that a driver ran over a piece of metal in a parking lot while making a delivery. If they failed to check their tires for damage, the trucking company may be vicariously liable for their negligence.
Manufacturers can be held strictly liable for the injuries their defective products cause. This means that a tire manufacturer may be at fault if it sold defective tires that later ruptured, even if it was unaware of the flaw at the time of sale.
Contact Our Peoria Tractor-Trailer Tire Blowout Attorney For a Free Consultation
The injuries from a truck accident can be catastrophic. Contact Joel E. Brown, P.C. for a complimentary case review to learn more about your right to seek compensation for your injury-related losses. Our Peoria truck accident attorney is prepared to fight for you.
