Who’s to Blame When a Tire Blowout Leads to a Catastrophic Truck Accident

Tractor-Trailor Blowouts in the Chicago and Burr Ridge Area 

If you drive in the Chicago area, you know that traffic is a big issue, and the roadways dominated by tractor-trailers compound it. A fully loaded 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, that’s 80 tons on wheels moving at 65 to 80 miles an hour. Whether the truck driver is at or near excess speeds, an accident involving a car and a tractor-trailer can be catastrophic.

The Federal Motor Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimates that tire blowouts contribute to 8,000 tractor-trailer accidents a year, making them the leading cause of these accidents. Though trucks account for about 6% of all registered vehicles on the road, they are responsible for a disproportionate number of accidents, close to 10%. And in dense traffic, like the kind we see here in Chicago and Burr Ridge, the conditions are ripe for collisions that result in multiple vehicle pileups and fatalities. 

Tire blowouts can happen for any number of reasons, including the following:

• Not carefully maintaining the tractor-trailer’s tires
• Road hazards
• Poorly loaded tractor-trailer
• Driver negligence
• Defective tires

Getting to the root of what caused a tractor-trailer blowout is one primary reason why, if you have been involved in such an accident, you want to connect with a trusted, expert, and results-driven legal team dedicated exclusively to personal injury – that’s Vinkler Law.

The individual attention, dedication, and expertise Vinkler Law brings to each case it handles is unparalleled, and they have the results to prove it, with a 95% rate for its clients. 

What Do You Do After an Accident Caused by a Tractor-Trailer Blowout?

Suppose you have been involved in one of these serious accidents here in Chicago or Burr Ridge. In that case, you know the trauma, physical injury, and damage to your car firsthand. Being a victim of a tractor-trailer tire blowout is traumatic, and what to do and how to respond won’t be the first thing on your mind. But it is essential to know that you have rights and recourse if you are a victim of a tractor-trailer blowout. 

You may wonder whose fault a blowout is and how you can fact-find to understand if you have any recourse. You may assume your insurance company will absorb the damages to your vehicle. Still, the insurance company will assess liability. You may just assume the truck driver is at fault, but if the tire was defective, then the tire manufacturer needs to be contacted.

After an accident, especially with an 80-ton vehicle, your adrenaline is on overdrive, and you are not really in the right state of mind to assess your possible injuries. You need to seek medical attention immediately to determine if you sustained any severe or permanent damage. 

The experts at Vinkler Law, who are dedicated exclusively to personal injury, are experts in handling such cases right here in the Chicago and Burr Ridge area. And conferring with a Vinkler Law expert is a phone call away at no charge. When you call Vinkler Law, you will start to feel better knowing you are in the expert and compassionate care of a Chicago-based personal injury legal expert.

Remember these essential tips after the accident:

• Try to collect as much information and documentation as possible, including the police report
• See medical attention and get a copy of the report
• Take images and photos of the accident scene
• Get the names and contact information of any observers.

Most importantly, do not confer with any insurance adjuster. Leave any discussions with any insurance representative to the experts at Vinkler Law. 

Preparing For Your Consultation

During your meeting, Vinkler Law will review the details about the accident, including a timeline of the event, to help organize as much of the documentation about the accident as possible. Details you will want to have handy include the following:

• Where the accident happened
• When the accident occurred
• Any images of the accident and damages
• The accident report
• Medical reports relevant to the accident
• Photos taken after the accident
• Names and contact information of any witnesses

Vinkler Law will also want more details about the tractor-trailer, the company or owner, the truck driver’s name, and any details filed in the police report.

Once the intake is complete, at no charge to you, Vinkler Law goes to work assessing the facts of the accident, relevant medical records, any available video footage or photos, the driver’s and the company’s safety records to determine next steps.

Once the research and evaluation are complete, Vinkler Law will follow up with you to propose next steps. Unlike other personal injury lawyers, Vinkler Law does not shy away from a courtroom. They are prepared to go to court if it means getting justice served and making amends for the pain, damages, and emotional stress of your accident. 

Why Vinkler Law?

When you reach out to Vinkler Law, you will have the peace of mind knowing that you are being 
represented by one of Illinois’ most respected and trusted personal injury law firms. Vinkler Law experts take the time, care, and thoughtfulness to listen attentively, do comprehensive research, and assess the accident and what you may be owed.

Remember, tractor-trailer blowouts can be very complex, and establishing liability is something that you want the legal experts at Vinkler Law to assess and act upon. The good news is you have compassionate legal experts to investigate and advocate for you at no charge. With a high success rate for its clients spanning more than 30 years in personal injury, Vinkler Law is your first choice.

Don’t wait; if you have been involved in a tractor-trailer accident, call Vinkler Law today and schedule your no-charge consultation. Your peace of mind is a phone call away.