Are you the victim of a crash caused by a blown-out tire? At Van Sant Law, we understand how disorienting this situation often is. It can be confusing to think you’re safe on the road, only to find yourself injured moments later because a truck experienced a tire blowout.
When you work with a truck accident lawyer in Atlanta, you won’t have to pursue compensation or figure out how to hold the at-fault parties accountable on your own. Instead, your truck tire blowout accident lawyer in Atlanta can handle the legal side of things on your behalf.
As a law firm that has been serving Georgia residents since 2008, our attorneys have decades of combined experience handling cases like yours. Together, we’ve recovered hundreds of millions for our clients. Make the Right Call by contacting us today.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Truck Tire Blowout?
A blown tire does not automatically establish who caused an accident. The important question is why the tire blew out. A tire can fail for many reasons, such as:
- Inadequate maintenance
- Excessive wear
- Improper inflation
- Damage
- Manufacturing defects
- Improper installation
- Overloading
- Another mechanical issue
The circumstances of the specific crash determine whether someone may be legally responsible. With this information in mind, these are parties who could potentially be found responsible for the incident:
- The truck driver
- Trucking companies
- Tire manufacturers
- Tire distributors
- Maintenance providers
- Repair shops
- Another company involved with the vehicle
There may also be situations in which another driver’s conduct contributed to the collision after the blowout occurred. This is why an investigation should look beyond the fact that a tire failed.
Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers will need to determine what caused the failure and whether another person or company could have prevented it.
What Evidence Can Help Prove a Tire Blowout Claim?
Because tire failures can leave behind physical evidence, your attorney may need to gather more than the standard accident report. Depending on the circumstances, relevant evidence could include the following:
- The failed tire and wheel assembly
- Photographs of the tire before it was removed or altered
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Tire purchase and replacement records
- Repair invoices and service records
- Driver inspection reports
- Vehicle data
- Cargo and weight records
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Surveillance footage
- Dashcam or traffic-camera footage
- Accident reconstruction evidence
The exact evidence depends on the facts of the crash. For example, if the tire had recently been replaced, the purchase and installation records could become important.
If the company had received prior complaints about that type of tire, maintenance records could take on even greater significance. A truck tire blowout accident attorney in Atlanta can determine which records need to be requested and which physical evidence should be preserved.
What Injuries Can a Truck Tire Blowout Cause?
A commercial truck tire failure can result in a serious collision, particularly when the truck loses control or strikes another vehicle. These are common injuries victims sustain in tire blowout incidents:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Internal injuries
- Neck and back damage
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Other serious conditions
The financial consequences can continue long after the crash. You may need emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, or follow-up care. You may be unable to work for weeks or months.
A serious injury can even affect your ability to perform the same job in the future. Those consequences matter when evaluating a personal injury claim.
What Compensation Can You Pursue After a Tire Blowout Crash?
If another party’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be able to pursue compensation for the losses supported by your claim. Depending on the circumstances, you might be able to pursue financial recovery for these damages:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Other legally recoverable losses
It is important not to assume that the value of your claim is simply the amount appearing on your medical bills.
If you suffer a serious injury that requires months of rehabilitation, your losses may include not only the treatment itself but also income you could not earn during your recovery, future care you may require, and the physical and emotional impact of the injury. An attorney can evaluate these different categories and gather evidence supporting them.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Georgia?
Georgia generally has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury actions under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. That deadline is important, but waiting until the deadline approaches can make a case more difficult to investigate.
This is what your tire blowout claim might require you to show:
- Preservation of the tire
- Inspection of the vehicle
- Collection of maintenance records
- Identification of witnesses
- Review of medical evidence
- Investigation into multiple potentially responsible parties
Evidence can become harder to obtain as time passes. There may also be different deadlines or procedural requirements in cases involving government entities or other special circumstances.
Because of that, it is smart to discuss your situation with a Georgia personal injury attorney as soon as reasonably possible.
For Help from a Truck Tire Blowout Accident Attorney in Atlanta, Call Van Sant Law ASAP
At Van Sant Law, founding attorney David M. Van Sant offers an unusual perspective to personal injury litigation because he previously served as defense counsel for a large insurance firm. As a result, he thoroughly understands how insurers approach claims.
His insight has made it possible for our attorneys to further understand how insurers evaluate liability and attempt to minimize the amount they have to pay you. We also have unique experience with cases involving tractor-trailers and commercial carriers.
Our Atlanta truck tire blowout accident lawyers will work on identifying every possible avenue of compensation and holding the insurance company accountable. That way, you won’t be left paying the cost of an accident you did not cause. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
