Shredded Tires and Road Safety
Many highway drivers have noticed pieces of shredded tires scattered across the road. If this is true for you, you’ve witnessed a significant road safety hazard. Tattered tires on highways are more than just unsightly, they pose a serious risk to drivers, potentially causing accidents.
If you are interested in learning more about how these tires end up on the road, why they are dangerous, and how those injured by tire debris can seek compensation, connect with a Boca Raton personal injury lawyer.
How Do Shredded Tires End Up on Highways?
Tire debris remnants typically come from large trucks, whose tires endure heavy loads and long-distance travel. While tire blowouts can happen to any vehicle, they are more frequent with commercial trucks due to the immense wear and tear on their tires.
One major cause of shredded tires is tire separation, where the layers of the tire detach due to heat, pressure, or manufacturing defects. When a tire blows out, the force can send rubber flying across the highway, creating dangerous obstacles for other drivers.
Also, blowouts happen because the tires are retreaded. Retreaded or rebuilt tires are commonly used in the commercial trucking industry to save on costs. While these tires are legal and can be safe when properly maintained, they are also more susceptible to blowouts than new tires. If a trucking company fails to properly inspect and maintain their retreaded tires, the risk of a blowout increases.
Why Are Shredded Tires Dangerous?
Shredded tires can create a range of hazards for unsuspecting drivers. They are dangerous in a range of ways.
- Obstructions in the road. When a tire blows out, large pieces of rubber can scatter across multiple lanes. Drivers who come upon these pieces often have little time to react. Swerving to avoid the debris can lead to collisions with other vehicles.
- Secondary accidents. Tire blowouts can cause accidents not only from the debris but also from the truck or vehicle experiencing the blowout. Truck operators may lose control of their vehicle, leading to crashes.
- Vehicle damage. Hitting a large piece of rubber at high speed can lead to tire punctures, suspension damage, or even prompt a rollover accident.
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by tire debris, you may be entitled to compensation. Determining liability will depend on the details, the responsible party could be the truck driver, the trucking company, the tire manufacturer, or even a tire maintenance provider, depending on the specifics of the case.
An experienced Boca Raton personal injury lawyer can help you investigate the cause of the accident and identify who is liable. With this information, your attorney can build a strong case to secure compensation for medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and pain and suffering.
Are you healing from an injury due to tire debris? Shredded tires pose a significant risk to drivers, especially in areas where heavy traffic and high speeds are common. To secure the compensation you deserve after an accident in Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, or Pompano Beach, contact the attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez. Call 561-660-9421 today for legal support.