
A tire blowout might not seem like a big deal. You would think that it poses a danger only to the vehicle in question and that if you follow your maintenance plan, it is not your problem. However, if it happens to a fast or large vehicle, like a truck, things can quickly escalate into a more serious accident. This can then lead to many serious injuries or even death.
If you have been involved in a car accident caused by a truck tire blowout, you could have the right to compensation. At The Law Place, we hire experienced North Port truck accident attorneys who will assess your case and provide you with legal advice regarding your next steps. Call us today and schedule a free consultation. You can reach us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (941) 444-4444.
What Causes Truck Tires to Blow Out in North Port, FL?
Truck tire blowouts are more common in Florida than you might think. The biggest contributor is the famous Florida heat. Fast driving in this heat constitutes a higher risk of wear and tear for the tires. It is therefore important to have your tires checked regularly. Unfortunately, many truck drivers in Florida are not aware of the dangers that worn-out truck tires pose.
Other common factors that can contribute to the serious wear and tear of truck tires include:
- Driving with too high or low tire pressure.
- Frequent driving on bad quality roads.
- Using a defective tire.
- Driving on tires with tread worn down.
- Driving with extra heavy loads.
These are only some examples of the most common causes of tire damage. The most important thing is prevention. Do not forget to have your car checked regularly, especially your tires. Find a reliable auto service center and schedule regular maintenance meetings with them. They are professionals and will know how to take care of your vehicle. This way, you will make sure that you and your family are safe while traveling and that you don’t pose a danger to other people on the road. The more drivers that do this, the safer our roads will become.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Tire Blowout in North Port, FL?
To be able to assign liability, your accident attorney must first determine whether the collision was, in fact, caused by a blown-out tire and what the reason was for the tire to burst. The tire may be damaged and explode, for example, due to negligence of the following parties:
- The truck driver was driving recklessly.
- The trucking company if it failed to perform a regular check-up of the vehicle.
- The manufacturer of the tires if the tire in question was defective.
- The mechanic if the tire was installed incorrectly.
- The government if the road was in bad shape.
- A third-party driver when, for example, they were supposed to secure their freight against falling off the trailer, and the fallen object then caused the blowout.
Truck accidents involving a tire blowout are usually quite complicated as they tend to involve many parties. We do not recommend taking action into your own hands and dealing with this matter on your own. At The Law Place, we hire professional attorneys who have the knowledge and experience to gather the necessary evidence so that you get the highest compensation possible. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn your options.
What Damages Can I Claim Following an Accident Caused by a Truck Tire Blowout in North Port, FL?
A truck accident is usually associated with more serious damages. They tend to cause more injuries and property damage, as trucks are generally larger and heavier than personal vehicles. Your North Port personal injury attorney will help you determine what damages you are entitled to. They could include, for example, some from the following list:
Medical Bills
If you were injured in an accident caused by a truck tire blowout, you could have the right to compensation for all your medical expenses, both past, and future.
Pain and Suffering
A truck accident does not cause only physical injuries. Victims can also be left with psychological trauma – caused either directly by the accident or indirectly by the injuries incurred. That is why you can also get compensated for your pain and suffering. This compensation is based on your medical expenses, which are then usually multiplied by a number from 1 to 5, with 5 reflecting the highest level of suffering.
Property Damage
You could be qualified to get compensation for any damage to your property. This typically means your vehicle but can also apply to things like your mobile phone or any other object damaged during the crash.
Lost Wages
If you sustain an injury in a truck tire blowout accident, you might need to take a prolonged leave of absence from work. During this period, your income might be significantly lower than normal. Such a situation creates a lot of stress. Compensation can bring you peace of mind and allow you to take time off to recover.
Wrongful Death
If you have lost a loved one in a truck tire blowout accident that was not their fault, this is considered wrongful death. You might have the right to be compensated under Florida Statute 768.21.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are meant as a punishment for the defendant if they were knowingly and willfully negligent, and the settlement is considered too low for their offense. However, awarding punitive damages is quite rare as they are hard to prove.
Why Is It Important to Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Case of a Tire Blowout Accident?
A good personal injury lawyer will assess your case, determine what damages you are entitled to, and win the highest possible settlement for you. At The Law Place, we hire the best of the best to ensure that our clients really get the compensation they deserve. As a result, most of our attorneys have an AVVO ranking of 10.0 – the highest possible rating!
To get started on your case, call us today. If we believe your claim is valid, we will invite you to a free consultation. During the consultation, we will further discuss the case with you. This might include a series of questions to understand the details of your case. Our attorneys are discreet and fully understand how difficult a situation after a truck accident is, but you do not have to worry. We pride ourselves on an attorney-client relationship built on understanding and trust.
During the consultation, we will also explain and break down our fees. We do not believe that surprising our clients with hidden costs would be beneficial in any way, so we are upfront about all our charges. Our law firm works on a contingency basis. This means that we do not get paid unless we win a settlement for you.
After that, you can decide what to do – whether you want us to represent you or not. However, it is important to know that having an attorney at your side will give you an enormous advantage. If you hire an experienced accident lawyer, like the ones at The Law Place, your case will be taken more seriously. This way, you have a chance to win a higher settlement just because a reliable law firm is backing you.
If we agree on representation, your case will be reviewed by our team of lawyers, so you can benefit from the combined knowledge of more than one experienced attorney. Afterward, an attorney will become your advocate. They will support and guide you through the whole process and fight for your rights. We will start working on your case immediately, as time is of the essence. We want to be able to gather as much evidence as possible to support your claim.
How Does an Investigation of a Tire Blowout Accident Look Like?
Our team will perform a thorough examination of the place where the accident occurred to see whether defective tires or any other factor played an important role in the collision. This includes searching for evidence at the site of the accident. Our investigators will also measure the skid marks left at the site and examine all the vehicles involved, focusing particularly on their tires. Furthermore, we will also interview any eyewitnesses of the collision and review the CCTV footage if there is any. Then, we will combine all the information gathered and use it as evidence for your case.
Car accidents involve evidence that can get lost over time. Road gets cleaned, cars get repaired, witnesses forget, and footage expires or gets deleted. It is, therefore, extremely important to initiate the investigation as soon as possible in order to ensure the best quality of evidence for your case.
How Should I Deal With the Insurance Company?
Insurance companies, like any other business, focus mainly on profit. They do not become this large by giving out generous compensation to everybody. It is therefore important to be cautious when dealing with them. They might try to use tricks to convince you that you are entitled to less compensation than you really are.
In Florida, you are required by law to inform your insurance company about an accident within a specific time frame. This depends on the conditions of your policy, but it usually is 24 hours. However, we recommend contacting your lawyer first where possible. Or you can contact the insurance company and inform them about the accident, but tell them you will provide all the details later. Then get in touch with your attorney immediately.
The reason for this is that after an accident, you might be in shock or even injured. It is understandable that in such a situation, it is hard to think clearly, so you might say something you would later regret. For example, the insurance company could try to get unnecessary and inaccurate details from you, which could damage your chance to get the compensation you deserve. Or they could offer you a settlement that might sound generous in the moment but is actually much less than you are entitled to.
Insurance companies are famous for hiring professional lawyers that specialize in devaluating their clients’ claims. Therefore, you ideally should not deal with them without your attorney at all. It is absolutely essential that you do not sign anything that they give you without your lawyer present. However, we also do not recommend dealing with them alone over the phone. They usually record their calls, and anything you say may later be used against you in court.
Our lawyers are experienced and trained to be able to deal with insurance companies accordingly. Their dirty tricks will not work against us. This way, you can get the compensation you deserve without needing to go through extra stress. Instead, you can focus on your recovery and spend time with your loved ones.
Blown-Out Tire Truck Accident Lawyer in North Port
Meet the Team
David Haenel heads our tire-failure litigation group and studies Federal Motor Carrier Safety rules on tire inspection and inflation. Darren Finebloom turns tread-separation lab results into clear stories jurors understand. AnneMarie Rizzo teams with engineers to photograph skid marks, rim gouges, and sidewall tears before rain or traffic washes evidence away. Paralegals Rose and Tracy open claims the same day you call, arrange medical visits, and text nightly updates so no client feels left behind.
Reviews & Testimonials
“A steer-tire blowout sent an eighteen-wheeler across I-75 and crushed my SUV. David traced the tire to a bad retread and settled for every insurance layer available.”
“They walked me through each step, answered weekend calls, and forced the carrier and tire maker to split a huge settlement.”
“Darren explained complicated lab reports in plain English, and the jury awarded full damages for my spinal surgery.”
Case Studies
Steer-Axle Blowout on I-75
A front tire burst at seventy miles per hour, sending a tractor-trailer into oncoming traffic. Event-data recorder logs and a forensic tire autopsy showed inner-liner separation from age-related dry rot. The carrier and distributor tendered one million three hundred thousand dollars before trial.
Retread Failure Near US 41
A trailer retread peeled off, striking a minivan and causing multiple fractures. Maintenance records revealed the carrier skipped the required sixty-day inspections. Settlement reached for nine hundred thousand dollars and the fleet replaced all retreads with new tires.
Under-Inflated Tire Rollover
A dump truck rolled at a construction exit when two under-inflated tires overheated and exploded. Pressure-monitoring data proved alarms were ignored. We secured eight hundred thousand dollars and the company installed real-time tire-pressure systems on every vehicle.
Comprehensive FAQ
Why do truck tires blow out more often than passenger tires?
Commercial tires carry heavier loads, operate for longer continuous hours, and run at higher temperatures. If a carrier skips routine inflation checks or lets tread depth fall below federal limits, heat builds inside the sidewall and weakens internal belts. Road debris, overloaded trailers, and aging rubber accelerate failure, making blowouts a frequent hazard on Florida highways.
Which regulations address tire safety on large trucks?
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation 393.75 sets minimum tread depth, bans exposed fabric or belt material, and requires no audible leaks. Regulation 396.11 mandates daily driver inspections that include tire condition and pressure. Skipping reports or ignoring defects violates these rules and supports a negligence claim against the carrier.
Who can be held liable after a blown-tire truck crash?
Multiple parties may share fault. The motor carrier is liable for poor maintenance, the driver for skipping pre-trip inspections, the tire retailer for installing mismatched or outdated stock, and the manufacturer or retreader for design or production defects. Identifying every responsible party expands the insurance pool and maximises available compensation.
How quickly should evidence be preserved?
Tire shards, rim fragments, and rubber streaks can be swept away within hours. Tractor-trailer event-data recorders overwrite speed and brake inputs after thirty-six engine hours. Sending a preservation letter within forty-eight hours forces the carrier to store debris, maintenance logs, driver inspection reports, and pressure-monitoring downloads.
What is a forensic tire autopsy?
Investigators photograph the tire, slice cross-sections, and examine belt structure under magnification. They look for oxidation cracks, foreign-object punctures, and tread-belt separation. Matching fracture patterns to service records shows whether the blowout arose from misuse, under-inflation, or manufacturing flaws. Courts and insurers place great weight on these objective findings.
Can I still recover damages if the truck driver was not at fault?
Yes. Even without driver error, a manufacturing defect, improper retread, or negligent maintenance can shift liability to the carrier, service shop, or tire maker. Florida’s modified comparative negligence allows recovery when your share of fault stays below fifty percent. Proper expert analysis limits blame placed on you and strengthens the overall claim.
What damages are available in blown-tire cases?
Injured victims may seek medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost income, reduced earning capacity, property damage, pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Catastrophic injuries often need life-care plans that budget for attendant care, mobility devices, and home modifications. Wrongful-death claims add funeral costs and loss of future support for surviving families.
How are punitive damages triggered?
Punitive damages punish reckless behavior such as knowingly installing recalled tires, ignoring repeated low-pressure alarms, or falsifying inspection logs. Florida courts require clear and convincing evidence of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Demonstrating a pattern of safety violations raises settlement value and pressures carriers to change practices.
What steps should I take right after a blowout-related crash?
Call 911 for medical help and an official crash report. Photograph tire debris, skid marks, and identification numbers on the trailer and cab. Collect witness contacts and note weather and road conditions. Seek medical evaluation even for minor pain, then contact a trucking lawyer quickly so preservation letters secure vital evidence.
How do experts prove under-inflation or overloading?
Pressure-monitoring downloads show historical PSI readings. Scale tickets, cargo manifests, and axle-weight sensors reveal overloaded conditions. Combining pressure data with load weight lets experts calculate internal heat buildup that leads to sidewall failure. These technical findings often push insurers to settle rather than challenge science in court.
Will my health insurance cover treatment while the claim is open?
Yes. Health insurers pay upfront but assert liens on any settlement. Your lawyer negotiates reductions once recovery is obtained. Personal Injury Protection covers up to ten thousand dollars regardless of fault, and medical-payments coverage on the truck policy can add extra benefits during litigation.
How long does a blown-tire truck case usually take?
Clear-liability cases with completed medical care often settle in nine to twelve months. Complex cases involving multiple defendants, ongoing treatment, or disputed manufacturing defects may extend to eighteen or twenty-four months. Filing suit and setting expert deadlines usually motivate carriers and manufacturers to negotiate seriously.
What if the tire was a retread?
Federal rules allow retreads on trailer and drive axles but prohibit them on steer axles. Using a retread on a steer position creates strong negligence evidence. Retreaders must document curing temperatures and casing inspections; missing paperwork supports liability claims. Settlement demands often include both the retreader’s and carrier’s insurance layers.
Does bringing a claim raise my own auto insurance rates?
Pursuing the at-fault carrier’s liability coverage typically does not affect your premium. Your insurer may adjust rates only if you use collision coverage or if you are found primarily at fault. Successful liability recovery that reimburses your insurer helps keep your premiums stable.
What expert witnesses strengthen a blown-tire case?
Accident-reconstruction engineers match skid lengths to speed, forensic tire analysts identify failure modes, and mechanical engineers evaluate maintenance procedures. Economists calculate long-term wage loss, while life-care planners price future medical needs. Credible experts translate technical data into understandable testimony that sways juries and adjusters.
How do you calculate pain and suffering?
Attorneys consider injury severity, treatment duration, permanent impairment ratings, and lifestyle impact. Diary entries, family testimony, and photos document how injuries change daily routines. Verdict research and prior settlements guide negotiation ranges, ensuring non-economic damages match the harm you endured.
What does it cost to hire your firm?
Representation is contingency based. You owe no fee unless we recover compensation. Standard rates are one-third before litigation and forty percent if suit is filed. We advance all case costs, including expert fees, and you reimburse them only from a successful settlement or verdict.
Why choose a North Port lawyer for a blown-tire truck crash?
Local counsel knows Sarasota County judges, jury tendencies, and defense attorneys. Rapid scene visits capture debris before cleanup crews arrive. Familiarity with regional trucking routes and maintenance depots speeds subpoena responses and evidence gathering.
What documents should I bring to the first consultation?
Bring the crash report, photos, medical records, hospital bills, insurance cards, repair estimates, pay stubs, and any communication from trucking companies or insurers. If you saved tire fragments or recorded witness statements, bring them too. Complete information lets our team send preservation letters immediately and start building a compelling case.
Call The Law Place Today
If you have been involved in a collision caused by a truck tire blowout, then please contact The Law Place today. You can schedule a free consultation with a professional accident lawyer from our team at any time.
The Law Place offers more than 75 years of combined experience. Our attorneys work together as a team, which ensures the highest quality of service. We pride ourselves on communication with our clients – our advice will always be clear, honest, and unbiased. We understand how stressful truck accidents can be and will take appropriate measures to relieve you from the stress as much as possible.
So, do not hesitate to call today. Our phone lines are available 24/7 at (941) 444-4444.