Florida
Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog

Miami tire failures and tire problems leads to many Miami truck accidents, as well as accidents involving light trucks, SUVs, and cars. Keeping your tires in great condition can be an easy way to help prevent truck accidents on Miami roads. Correctly maintained tires help you control your car or truck more efficiently, making it less likely that you will be in an accident. Correctly maintained tires are also less likely to have you slipping or rolling over. There are many ways that you can help ensure that tire pressure and tire treads are correct for your driving conditions:

1) Walk around the truck before you hop in. A visual inspection is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to ensure that you don't have a flat tire or an underinflated tire. Simply walking around your truck before hopping in each time can help you to notice and correct any problems before they have a chance to cause a Miami traffic accident.

2) Keep a tire pressure gauge in the truck and check tire pressure often. Accurate tire pressure gauges are inexpensive and highly portable. They can fit in your glove compartment or even on your key ring. There's no excuse for not having a tire pressure gauge. It is important to use your tire pressure gauge frequently, at least once a week. Unfortunately, visual inspections alone are often not enough to tell you whether a tire is underinflated or overinflated. Underinflated tires can make it harder for you to control your truck and can make it easier for your truck to go into a slide and then roll over. Overinflated tires, on the other hand, are more likely to fail or burst. A tire pressure gauge is an inexpensive and not very time-consuming way to ensure that your tires are properly inflated and less likely to cause an accident.

3) Check the age of your tires. Tires that are several years old are more likely to suffer tire failure. The rubber material tires are made from simply disintegrates with time. Therefore, even if your truck has newer tires, you face the risk of tire failure if those tires have been sitting in a warehouse for a number of years. The serial numbers on your tires and a quick call to the tire manufacturer can easily tell you when the tires were manufactured.

4) At least once a month, review the overall condition of your tires. Once a week is even better. Look for signs of wear and any uneven wear. You may need to replace your tires more often than you realize if they are no longer safe for the road.

5) Check tire pressure limits and load limits for your truck. Be scrupulous about following these limits. Exceeding the load limits for your truck can increase the chances of Miami truck tire failure. Not following tire pressure limits also places excess pressure on your tires and can make it more likely that you will be in a serious accident.

Continue reading "Checking Tire Pressure Can Help Save Lives and Stop Miami Truck Accidents" »

According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association, one out of seven motorists check their tire pressure properly and regularly. That's compared to six out of ten drivers who wash their vehicles at least once per month. While it's great to care about the look of a vehicle, tire problems and blowouts – especially on large commercial trucks and big rigs – suggest that drivers and truck drivers need to pay more attention to tires.

According to experts, high heat can also trigger tire failure, making it especially important for truck drivers to check tires regularly. Florida hot weather can contribute to Florida tire blowouts and the truck accidents that blowouts can cause. Trucks travel at high speeds and with heavy loads; truck tires are especially designed to support these loads and the friction produced. However, all truck tires have design specifications, or ideal conditions under which they are designed to be used. Hot Florida days can cause tires to get heated above the safety standards set by tire manufacturers.

When hot weather is combined with excessive loads or under-inflated tires, the hazards can be even greater. Tires under this type of duress can already get dangerously overheated or damaged. When combined with hot asphalt, the result can be a serious Florida car accident or big rig accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that between 2005 and 2009, 116 000 people across the US were injured in truck accidents caused by tire issues. And, according to experts, there is more reason to be concerned now. With many truck carriers looking to reduce costs, maintenance may get less attention. However, since trucks can be up to 20 times the size of passenger cars, it is more important than ever for truck drivers and companies to check tire pressure and tire condition on tractor-trailers regularly. Some carriers and companies have taken steps to promote tire safety. In the early summer, some truck carriers took part in National Tire Safety Week, taking part in nationwide events to raise awareness about tire safety.

Most experts agree that it is not only truck drivers and carriers who are liable when truck tires fail. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has established design standards and testing requirements for manufacturers of truck tires. When truck manufacturers do not meet minimal standards, accidents are an unfortunate result and in these cases manufacturers are often held liable for the accidents defective tires have caused. Some truck manufacturers have developed excellent standards for tire safety, but the number of Florida tire defect cases and recalls shows that there is still room for improvement.

If you have been in a Florida truck accident – whether caused by a tire blowout or not – it is important to consult with a Florida truck accident attorney as quickly as possible. There are statutes of limitations which can limit your timeframe and evidence that needs to be secured. Many qualified attorneys, including the legal team at the Flaxman Law Group, can even visit you in the hospital if you need to arrange a consultation quickly after your accident.

Continue reading "Florida Truck Accidents Caused by Tire Problems Can be More Prevalent in The Summer Months " »

When a truck tire blows out, it can cause a truck accident. However, it is also a cause of many Florida car accidents. If you are a driver on Florida's roads, the pieces of truck tire that you see on the road are a danger to you. In most cases, a truck tire will blow out when a tire goes flat and then becomes considerably damaged. When this occurs, the tire loses all pressure. The truck driver can lose control of the truck and cause a Florida truck accident. Even if the truck is able to pull safely to the side, however, Florida truck accidents can still occur as pieces of truck fly at cars and as car drivers try to swerve out of the way.

There are many reasons for truck tire blowouts:

1) Florida truck tire defects. Tire defects are often in the news and manufacturers sometimes recall tires known to be defective. In many cases, these types of defects can lead to accidents and products liability cases brought against the manufacturers.

2) Incorrect tire maintenance. Whether tires are defective or not, incorrect maintenance can lead to blowouts and accidents. When tires are not properly inflated, they are far more likely to blow up. As well, truck tires should be checked regularly for signs of wear. Any defects or signs of wear mean that a tire should be replaced. As well, it is important to consider the age of tires. Even defect-free tires will disintegrate with time because they are made of rubber. Tires that have been sitting in a warehouse for years may not be as safe, even if they have never been used. Truck drivers and carriers should always check the date of manufacture of tires and reject older tires which may no longer be as safe.

3) Cuts. A large slash on the tire can cause air to leak quickly from the tire, leading to a blown out tire and an accident. Small punctures can also be dangerous, as they may not be noticeable but can cause air loss that causes tire pressure failure. Unfortunately, streets and roadways are often littered with sharp objects which fall of off trucks and cars, and these objects can easily lead to tire problems.

4) Road conditions. Potholes and poor road maintenance can cause added pressure on tires and can cause damage to tires.

5) Load problems. Large commercial trucks often carry large loads, but when drivers and truck companies overload vehicles, the resulting pressure can wear down tires prematurely and can even place enough pressure on tires to cause a blowout. Poorly secured loads can also shift, causing uneven weight distribution that can place pressure on tires and cause an accident.

Continue reading "Truck Tire Blowouts Cause Many Florida Car Accidents " »

There is no doubt that Florida truck accidents cause serious injuries. However, trucks can also cause other problems which can lead to Florida car accidents, fatalities, and serious injuries:

1) Trucks produce debris on the road. Trucks carry cargo, and sometimes that cargo simply isn't secured enough and comes loose. This can cause debris to spill all over the road, which can be dangerous for other drivers. Truck accidents can also produced debris which can cause tire damage as well as secondary accidents.

2) Trucks can cause visibility problems. If you've ever been trapped behind a truck in a traffic jam, you know how difficult it is to see around these large vehicles on the road. Groups of trucks can block your visibility and can make it harder for you to anticipate potential hazards and problems ahead, which can make it more difficult to drive defensively.

3) Trucks can cause road damage. A fully loaded commercial truck weighs tens of thousands of pounds. The heaviness on the roads is known to cause damage to the asphalt surface, causing potholes, cracks, and other problems which can affect your ability to drive smoothly and safely.

Trucks are an important part of the economy, allowing us to enjoy products from all over the world and allowing us to ship Florida-made goods all across the continent. However, allowing trucks on the roads does come with certain drawbacks. The number of Florida car accidents involving trucks shows this. While we need to share the road with trucks, however, we can do our best to ensure that as few accidents occur as possible.

Continue reading "Florida Truck Accidents are not the Only Problem – Trucks Can Cause Dangerous Road Conditions" »

There is no doubt that Florida truck accidents cause serious injuries. However, trucks can also cause other problems which can lead to Florida car accidents, fatalities, and serious injuries:

1) Trucks produce debris on the road. Trucks carry cargo, and sometimes that cargo simply isn't secured enough and comes loose. This can cause debris to spill all over the road, which can be dangerous for other drivers. Truck accidents can also produced debris which can cause tire damage as well as secondary accidents.

2) Trucks can cause visibility problems. If you've ever been trapped behind a truck in a traffic jam, you know how difficult it is to see around these large vehicles on the road. Groups of trucks can block your visibility and can make it harder for you to anticipate potential hazards and problems ahead, which can make it more difficult to drive defensively.

3) Trucks can cause road damage. A fully loaded commercial truck weighs tens of thousands of pounds. The heaviness on the roads is known to cause damage to the asphalt surface, causing potholes, cracks, and other problems which can affect your ability to drive smoothly and safely.

Trucks are an important part of the economy, allowing us to enjoy products from all over the world and allowing us to ship Florida-made goods all across the continent. However, allowing trucks on the roads does come with certain drawbacks. The number of Florida car accidents involving trucks shows this. While we need to share the road with trucks, however, we can do our best to ensure that as few accidents occur as possible.

Continue reading "Florida Truck Accidents are not the Only Problem – Trucks Can Cause Dangerous Road Conditions" »

Many Florida car accidents involve not only trucks, but problems caused by truck tires. There are many issues which can cause accidents:

1) Tires exploding. If you've ever driven behind a big wheel truck and have seen one of its tires fall apart, you know how frightening it can be. Rolls of rubber come flying at your passenger vehicle, and there's often no room to react, especially on the highway. You may simply drive over the pieces of shredded tire. If you are unfortunate, the shredded tire may hit your windshield, obscuring your view. It's easy to see how this can cause an accident. A tire coming off a truck can also cause the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle.

2) Tire defects. Tire manufacturers do a great deal to prevent defects from getting into their products. However, defects do occur. Tiny, invisible defects can cause a tire to come apart on the road, explode, or otherwise function incorrectly. When this happens, drivers can lose control of the truck, the truck may roll over, and many other types of accidents can occur. Even if that tire is without defects, it can become defective if it is stored incorrectly or stored for an extended period of time, allowing the rubber to disintegrate.

3) Tire problems caused by truck accidents and truck debris. Sometimes, the problem is not truck tires themselves, but rather the damage that trucks can do to passenger vehicle tires. Truck accidents, for example, can rip out the surface of a road, affecting passenger vehicle tires and even causing accidents. If a truck is carrying sharp objects and these fall off onto the road, it can cause the tires of passenger vehicles to become damaged, potentially causing accidents.

4) Tires coming off trucks. If truck tires are not correctly secured, they may literally fly off the truck, hitting oncoming cars and causing chaos on the road. While fortunately such accidents are rare, when they do occur there is a high probability of fatalities and serious injuries.

Continue reading "Tire Problems and Florida Truck Accidents" »

Many Florida truck accidents involving commercial trucks take place because of tire defects and tire blowouts. Unfortunately, Florida tire defects are all too common and in many cases, poor maintenance and too-heavy loads just contribute to tire problems and potential accidents. According to experts, there are many things that truck drivers and carriers can do to maintain tires correctly, helping to prevent Florida car accidents involving trucks:

1) Frequently check air pressure in tries. Truck drivers should be equipped with a accurate pressure gauge and should be required to check correct air pressure in tires at least every other day. The correct air pressure should be listed in the owner’s manual or the load and tire information for the truck.

2) Frequently conduct visual inspection of tires. Before getting into the truck, drivers should walk around and inspect each tire. Signs of wear, especially irregular wear, can mean a tire blowout. Drivers should also check for bumps or bubbles on the tire. These can be caused by foreign objects or air infiltration and may cause the tire to fail on the road.

3) Check to make sure that the truck is not overburdened with a too-heavy load. Exceeding load capacity places excessive pressure on the tires, and can easily cause a truck tire blowout, rollover, or another accident. Both carriers and drivers have a responsibility to ensure that trucks are correctly loaded. Too heavy loads and incorrect air pressure combined make an especially dangerous mix.

4) Avoid applying heat near the tires. This can weaken the tires and cause them to fail in operation. Often, excessive heat is a problem when tires are mounted. It is important that tires are mounted away from a heat source. If something on the truck needs to be welded, the welding should be done well clear of the tires. Heat damage can cause tires to explode, resulting in Florida truck accidents, burn injuries, and even fatalities.

5) Store tires correctly. If tires need to be stored, they should be stored in a dry, cool, dark place. Heat and sunlight can damage tires. It is also important not to store tires for too long. The rubber in tires deteriorates with time, even when the tires are not in use, so older tires can be a danger.

6) Ensure that all trucks on a tire are the same. Combining different tread depths or different types of tires on the same truck can cause instability, increasing the risk of a rollover or another accident.

Continue reading "Tire Defects and Problems Lead to Many Florida Truck Accidents " »

Florida trucks and truck drivers rely on good truck tires. Good tires support the entire weight of the truck – which can weigh more than 80 000 pounds when fully loaded -- and provide stability. Unfortunately, when tire defects and blowouts happen, the result is often tragic accidents on Florida’s roads. There are many reasons why tire defects take place:

1) Used tires. Some trucking companies buy used tires to place on their trucks in order to save money. However, if tires have been part of a serious car accident or truck accident, their stability and durability may be compromised. As well, allowing trucks with well-worn and well-used tires is often a recipe for disaster, as these tires may not have the treads and stability to carry a large load. Even unused tires that have been in storage for a long period of time may no longer be road-worthy, as rubber can wear down with time.

2) Incorrect demounting, mounting, and maintenance of tires. Trucking companies need to have their truck tires installed and maintained by qualified professionals who can abide by current Federal OSHA regulations. Tires should be maintained regularly and checked for leaks, wear, and any possible hazards.

3) Incorrect matching of rims and tires. Rims and tires on Florida trucks need to match. If an incorrectly fitted tire is forced on a smaller rim or a larger rim, the tire will usually be over-inflate to “make it fit” and this over-inflation can cause the tire to explode under pressure.

4) Incorrect tires for the job. Large commercial Florida trucks can weigh 80 000 or more. They need tires that have been approved for these weight amounts.

5) Tire defects. Some manufacturers inadvertently create tires which have defects. Unfortunately, these tires are more likely to fail on Florida’s roads, because warm weather can actually cause all sorts of tire problems. When tire defects lead to accidents, the result can be tire blowouts. Evidence of these blowouts is seen all over Florida in the form of steel belting and shards of rubber on the roadways. Tire blowouts on Florida’s busy roads can cause serious secondary car accidents.

Truck rollover accidents in Florida are dramatic and generally make the evening news. When a truck rolls over on a Florida road or highway, the results are often catastrophic. A rollover can lead to secondary car accidents as cars and other vehicles try to swerve out of the way of an out-of-control truck. As the truck rolls, it can also crush other vehicles and even bystanders in the way. Even the truck driver is at risk, since the cab is not always stable enough to prevent serious injuries to the driver.

Since a fully loaded commercial truck in Florida can weigh 80 000 pounds or more, when a truck of this size rolls over, it can cause serious damage. The truck can rip up the roads, potentially causing other car accidents due to bad road conditions on the same stretch of Florida roadway. The truck’s load can also ignite or spill, potentially causing burn injuries.

In 2008 alone, 263 people were killed in truck accidents in Florida alone. That same year, the National Highway Transportation Safety Association's National Center for Statistics and Analysis reported that 6.6% of all fatal large truck accidents across the country occurred in Florida. Florida rollovers accounted for some of these accidents. There are many ways that truck rollovers can occur:

1) Overloaded or improperly loaded trucks. Incorrectly loaded trucks can make trucks top-heavy, which can make the trucks easier to tip over. Overloaded trucks may also have a high center of gravity, which can make them more prone to rollovers.

2) Speeding. When truck drivers speed, especially on turns, trucks are more prone to rollovers. This is because when a turn is made at high speeds, the truck will tilt slightly. If the truck is also overloaded, the truck can easily rollover.

3) Drunk driving or fatigued driving. When a driver is distracted, tired, or inebriated, he or she may drift off the road. When this happens, the driver may drive onto a soft shoulder or into a ditch, which cannot support the truck and which then causes the truck to rollover.