Who Can Be Responsible for a Truck Accident Caused by a Defective Tire?
Truck accidents cause devastating consequences due to the sheer weight and size of commercial vehicles. These incidents often lead to severe injuries, fatalities, and complex legal questions about who is to blame for the crash.
You may be entitled to compensation after being injured in a truck accident caused by a defective tire. Even so, you must demonstrate the party responsible for the crash in a personal injury claim or lawsuit. While the driver may seem the obvious person to blame for the crash, the reality is that the responsibility for a tire-related crash can extend to multiple parties.
You should, therefore, work with a legal professional to understand your rights and how to pursue compensation for your losses. A Pompano Beach truck accident attorney can investigate the circumstances of the crash, gather evidence, and initiate a compensation claim against the at-fault party.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident Involving a Defective Tire?
Various parties may bear responsibility for the accident caused by a defective tire. Knowing who is liable for the accident can help you pursue compensation for your losses.
Here are the different parties who may be held accountable for a truck accident caused by a defective tire:
- Truck Driver: The truck driver may be liable if they were aware of the tire’s defects but continued to operate the vehicle, disregarding safety concerns. Negligence on the driver’s part in properly inspecting and maintaining the tires can also make them partially responsible for the accident.
- Trucking Company: The trucking company may pay for injury-related losses if it fails to maintain the vehicle properly or ignores tire wear and tear signs. Companies are responsible for ensuring their fleet is safe for operations, including regular inspections and tire maintenance.
- Tire Manufacturer: In cases where the tire defect is due to manufacturing or design issues, the tire manufacturer may be liable for the accident. Defective tires can lead to blowouts and loss of control, resulting in serious accidents. Holding the manufacturer responsible can help victims recover compensation for injuries and losses.
- Maintenance Provider: If a third-party maintenance provider was responsible for inspecting and servicing the truck’s tires, they can also face liability if their negligence contributed to the tire defect. Improper repairs or maintenance procedures can compromise the integrity of the tires, leading to catastrophic accidents.
Determining the responsible party in a truck accident involving a defective tire requires a thorough investigation and legal knowledge. A truck accident attorney can investigate the crash, identify the liable party, and initiate a compensation claim.
Average Settlement for Commercial Vehicle Accidents
There is no average settlement value for a commercial vehicle accident. The outcome depends on the facts and circumstances of the crash.
Here are the factors that determine the settlement value of a commercial vehicle accident:
Severity of the Injury
When determining the settlement value of a truck accident case, the severity of the injury can influence whether you’ll receive a higher or lower settlement value. Here’s how the extent of the harm influences the compensation you may receive:
- Medical expenses: The more severe the injury, the higher the medical costs incurred for treatment and rehabilitation. These expenses are a significant factor considered when calculating the settlement value.
- Loss of income: Serious injuries often lead to long periods of absence from work or even permanent disability. The loss of income is part of the settlement value, so you receive compensation for your inability to work due to the accident.
- Pain and suffering: Severe injuries result in prolonged pain and suffering, both physically and emotionally. Compensation for these intangible losses is determined based on the severity and duration of these effects.
- Disability and long-term care: Permanent disabilities or the need for long-term care due to severe injuries significantly impact the settlement amount. The costs of ongoing care, modifications to living conditions, and loss of independence associated with severe injuries can lead to a higher settlement value.
A skilled truck accident attorney can use medical records to prove the extent of your injury and support your compensation claim.
Availability of Evidence
In truck accident cases caused by defective tires, the availability of evidence can influence the value of your claim. Having concrete evidence to prove that the accident resulted from tire defects can strengthen your case and potentially lead to a higher settlement.
For instance, if you contact an attorney early, they can preserve the defective tire as evidence. Experts can then thoroughly examine it to determine the issue that caused the accident. Material evidence, like tire debris, can support your claim and provide undeniable proof of manufacturer neglect or product liability. A truck accident attorney can obtain witness statements, and collect any maintenance records, which can further solidify your case.
Furthermore, the timely collection and preservation of evidence is a positive step in protecting your interests as an injured victim. Trucking companies and tire manufacturers may attempt to repair or replace the defective tire to conceal negligence.
You should work with a truck accident lawyer who can help collect and preserve evidence and pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
Shared Fault
Shared fault is a concept that comes into play when multiple parties contribute to the cause of an accident. For instance, if the truck driver failed to maintain the tires, but the manufacturer also produced a faulty product, both parties may share the blame.
Shared fault can significantly impact the value of a truck accident claim. In states that follow the shared liability rules, such as Florida, the compensation you receive is proportionate to your level of fault.
For example, if you are found to be 20 percent at fault for the accident due to a defective tire, your compensation may be reduced by that same percentage. If your injury-related losses were $100,000, you can only receive $80,000, 80 percent of the settlement value.
A truck accident lawyer can protect your interests in a crash where more than one party is responsible for the crash. They can use evidence to prevent the insurer from wrongly shifting the blame to you.
Insurance Coverage of the At-Fault Party
Many injured victims receive compensation from the insurer of the at-fault party. Therefore, the insurance coverage limits of the at-fault party can influence the settlement value you receive for your losses.
An at-fault party with a low settlement value can restrict the settlement value you receive for your losses. A truck accident attorney can explore additional options for recovering compensation, including uninsured/underinsured coverage or a personal injury lawsuit.
How to Prove a Truck Accident Caused By a Defective Tire
Although you may be entitled to compensation, you must demonstrate the negligent actions of the at-fault party.
Here are a few sources of evidence to prove a truck accident caused by a defective tire:
Photographic Evidence
One of the most compelling evidence in a truck accident case is photographic evidence. Pictures of the accident scene, tire damage, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries can provide insights into how the accident occurred.
These visual cues can help reconstruct the events leading to the crash and establish liability.
Witness Testimonies
Eyewitness accounts can significantly strengthen your case by providing unbiased perspectives on the accident. Witness testimonies can corroborate your version of events, fill in any information gaps, and offer details that may have gone unnoticed.
Their statements can help paint a clearer picture of what transpired and who was at fault.
Electronic Data
In today’s digital age, electronic data from the truck can serve as valuable evidence in a truck accident case. Event data recorders (EDRs) or black boxes in commercial trucks can provide helpful information such as vehicle speed, braking patterns, and engine performance leading up to the accident.
Electronic data can offer insight into the truck driver’s actions and help establish liability.
Medical Records
Medical records are essential evidence in a truck accident case, as they document the extent of your injuries and the treatment you received as a result of the crash.
These records can serve as concrete proof of the physical harm you suffered, the medical expenses you incurred, and the long-term impact of your injuries on your life. A truck accident lawyer can help gather and preserve medical records to prove the claim.
Expert Analysis
The input of an expert analysis can help establish liability in a truck accident caused by a defective tire. Engineers, accident reconstruction specialists, or medical experts can provide professional opinions based on their understanding and analysis of the evidence.
Their insights can demonstrate how the accident occurred and who should be held accountable.
Truck Maintenance Logs
These detailed records document the regular maintenance and inspections performed on the truck, including tire checks and replacements. By reviewing these logs, a truck accident lawyer can trace the history of the tire in question, identifying any missed maintenance or warning signs that may have led to the defect.
In the event of a tire-related accident, maintenance logs can establish whether the trucking company took proper precautions to ensure the safety of its vehicles. If the logs reveal a pattern of neglect or oversight in maintaining the tires, the company can be held responsible for the resulting damages.
On the other hand, scanty and inconsistent maintenance logs can demonstrate a disregard for safety, proving the trucking company’s liability.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help
Your ability to recover from an injury depends on the settlement value you receive for your truck accident claim. A truck accident attorney can protect your interests after the crash and contribute to a positive outcome of the claim or lawsuit.
Here’s how a truck accident attorney can help:
Establishing the Value of Your Damages
You’re likely to accept a low settlement offer if you don’t understand the full value of your losses. A skilled truck accident lawyer understands the applicable damages in your case.
They will assess all your losses, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and reduced quality of life. A truck accident lawyer can use evidence to fight for a fair settlement value that captures all your losses.
A truck accident attorney can also assist in quantifying intangible losses, such as emotional distress and long-term impact on your quality of life. Although these damages are difficult to calculate, obtaining compensation for these losses allows you to recover from the accident.
By working with an experienced truck accident lawyer, you can rest assured you’ll receive compensation for your damages.
Negotiating With Insurers
Insurance adjusters are fond of minimizing financial liability by making low settlement offers. A truck accident attorney can evaluate the offers compared to your losses and advise you whether to accept or reject them.
They can also use evidence to push for a higher settlement value that covers your injury-related losses.
Representation in Court
Your case will likely proceed to court if you can’t reach an agreement with the insurer. You can also litigate your case if the insurer rejects your personal injury claim. A truck accident lawsuit is an opportunity for a neutral assessment of the case.
A truck accident attorney will present documents, cross-examine witnesses, and make compelling arguments before a judge or jury. Most importantly, they will spot opportunities to negotiate instead of going to a full trial.
Works on a Contingency-Fee Arrangement
Many insurers work on a contingency fee arrangement, which means they only get paid after winning a case or securing compensation. The arrangement means you can access legal representation even when faced with financial strain due to the accident.
A Truck Accident Attorney Can Find the Responsible Party

Warren Peebles, Pompano Beach Personal Injury Attorney
You may endure financial difficulties after being injured in a truck accident. The mounting medical bills and the inability to work can hinder your ability to pay for the bills. Further, the events leading to the crash may psychologically impact you.
You, therefore, deserve compensation for your injury-related losses. A Pompano Beach personal injury lawyer can use various sources of evidence, including maintenance logs and accident reconstruction reports, to identify the responsible party.
Get in touch with a truck accident attorney for legal support.