Semi-Truck Tire Blowout Accidents — Causes, Dangers, and What Victims Should Do

What Is a Semi-Truck Tire Blowout Accident?

A tire blowout accident occurs when a tire on a semi-truck fails due to underinflation, overloading, tread separation, aging, or poor maintenance, causing sudden loss of control or dangerous debris on the road. Because a fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 lbs, a single tire failure can quickly turn into a catastrophic multi-vehicle crash.

Why Semi-Truck Tire Blowouts Happen

• Tire wear, aging, and poor maintenance

• Underinflation or overloading

• Manufacturing defects or structural flaws

• Road hazards such as debris or potholes

• High heat from long-haul travel

• Improper inspections or skipped safety checks

Large-Truck Crash Fatality and Injury Data

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Facts 2023: Large Trucks:

• 5,472 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks in 2023

• 153,452 people were injured in large-truck crashes (National Safety Council analysis)

• Approximately 70% of those killed in truck crashes were occupants of other vehicles

• Fatal large-truck crashes have increased roughly 40% in the past decade

  
  

Data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows tire or wheel failures are among the vehicle-related factors recorded in crash investigations and are recognized contributors to loss-of-control crashes.

Common Injuries in Tire-Blowout Truck Crashes

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

• Spinal injuries or paralysis

• Internal organ damage

• Rib and torso trauma

• Broken bones

• Severe lacerations or crush injuries

• Wrongful death

What to Do After a Semi-Truck Tire Blowout Accident

1. Call 911 immediately

2. Document the scene if safe:

- Tires, wheels, and any visible failure points

- Truck company name and DOT number

- Roadway evidence, skid marks, debris, and weather

3. Get medical evaluation right away

4. Do not give recorded statements to trucking insurance companies

5. Contact a truck-accident attorney such as the Vrodolyak Law Group quickly. Trucking companies will send out their team of experts following a crash to collect data to prove the accident was your fault. You deserve a legal team with the experience, knowledge, and resources to collect data and analyze the accident.

Evidence in tire-failure cases may include:

• Tire scraps or wheel fragments

• Maintenance and inspection records

• Black-box data (ECM/EDR)

• Driver logs

• Pre and post-trip inspection documentation

• Loading and weight records

How Semi-Truck Drivers Can Help Prevent Tire Blowout Crashes:

• Regular tire pressure checks and replacement of tires

• Compliance with FMCSA inspection requirements

• Proper weight distribution and load limits

• Wheel, hub, and axle inspection

• Driver training to detect early warning signs

• Prompt removal of worn or aging tires

  
  

Tire blowouts on semi-trucks are dangerous, often leading to catastrophic multi-vehicle crashes. Because these accidents involve heavy machinery and complex mechanical evidence, quick documentation and early legal guidance are essential.

Sources

- NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2023: Large Trucks

- National Safety Council Injury Facts: Large Trucks

- FMCSA Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts

- FMCSA Large Truck Crash Causation Study