Residents of Towson and other nearby areas of Maryland may want to learn more about a dangerous cause of accidents from trucks. With a weight of more than 100 pounds, flying wheels and tires can cause serious injuries, especially when the trucker is driving at a high speed.
A tire or wheel fragment striking a person or vehicle may cause sudden death to the unprepared victim. According to The National Law Review, there are a variety of people on the road who could suffer greatly from this type of accident. They include:
- Bicyclists
- Motorists
- Motorcyclists
- Pedestrians
- Highway and road repair workers
- State police force members
Why would a wheel fall off?
If there is an accident, it is essential to perform an inspection of the truck. A forensic investigation may get to the cause of why the wheel came loose. An investigation may uncover parts that were old, broken or worn out or that needed replacement, such as with an axel. Other causes include the following:
- Wheel bearing failure and hub separation
- Tire defects, including manufacture
- Improper installation of parts
It is important that records of maintenance from the trucking company be included in the investigation. In some cases, repairs were the recommendation, but no one followed through.
Determining liability
Lack of inspections and lack of repairs may be a large factor in motor vehicle accidents, especially when it comes to large, speeding trucks. Lawsuits can happen when a trucking company should not have put a truck on the road that did not have full inspection and repair of any issues, especially with the tires. Photographs, records and expert testimony may form the background for finding the cause of the flying tire accident.
Wheels falling off a truck may cause serious injuries or even death. Regular inspections and repairs by the trucking company might be the cause of the accident. In this case, trucking company negligence could lead to compensation for the victim.