Driver Killed After Semi-Truck Crash Involving Blown Tire in Tulsa

A recent crash on Highway 169 highlights the importance of performing routine inspections on your vehicle. When it comes to semi-trucks and commercial logistics vehicles, drivers are required to perform routine inspections on the vehicle before it makes a delivery. Drivers are also required to inspect the vehicle during the journey to ensure that the vehicle is roadworthy. In many cases, semi-truck accidents are caused when the vehicle blows a tire. Often, what happens is the driver loses control of the vehicle when the tire is blown. In the case we’re about to discuss, the vehicle struck a concrete barrier, rolled over, and then caught on fire. The driver of the semi-truck was killed in the accident. No others were injured.

According to police reports, police responded to a single-vehicle crash involving a large truck carrying rocks. The truck had struck a concrete barrier, flipped over, and then caught fire. The driver of the truck was trapped inside the vehicle and died on the scene, according to police. The crash shut down the highway for several hours after debris was strewn across the road. The impact of the crash ruptured the fuel tank which, in turn, caused the truck to catch fire.

Tire blowout accidents and semi-trucks

Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring that their trucks are roadworthy. When a mechanical failure causes an accident that results in an injury to another party, that party can file a lawsuit against the trucking company. This includes tire blowout accidents. Often, tire blowouts don’t happen in a vacuum. Routine inspections of the tires should uncover damage that could result in a blowout. As evidenced above, such accidents can be extremely dangerous.

When a tire blowout occurs, the vehicle begins pulling in the direction of the flat tire. The driver often tries to overcompensate by pulling the wheel in the opposite direction. When this occurs, there is a high risk that the vehicle will overturn, especially when it comes to large commercial trucks.

While no commuters were injured in this accident, commuters are injured in similar accidents all the time. When a tire blows out in heavy traffic, the chances of the driver losing control of the vehicle are quite high. Again, this is especially true for large semi-trucks.

Elements of negligence

 All trucking companies have a duty of care to ensure that its vehicles are roadworthy. Individual drivers are expected to make routine inspections of the vehicle during and before deliveries. Ensuring that the tires are roadworthy is thus an obligation. When a tire blows out and causes an accident that injures a commuter, that commuter can sue to recover damages related to their medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced quality of life.

Talk to a Tulsa, Oklahoma Truck Accident Lawyer Today 

Levinson Law, P.C. represents the interests of Tulsa, OK residents who have been injured in accidents with commercial vehicles. Our Tulsa personal injury lawyers can help you recover damages related to your injuries. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation, and we can begin investigating your accident right away.

Source:

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