Tanker Truck Driver Dies on I-70 After Tire Blowout
The driver of a tanker truck involved in a crash on I-70 near Mt. Comfort
Road died after two tires on the truck he was driving blew, causing him
to lose control. Indiana State Police said the truck ran off the road,
and crashed and broke in half into a bridge, spilling fuel and oil onto
the interstate. News reports showed the tanker leaking after shutting
down the interstate in both directions for more than three hours because
too much oil was on the road, making it too slick for traffic.
Our thoughts are with the truck driver’s family during this time.
Semi Accidents Commonly Caused by Lack of Preventative Maintenance
According to the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in 2015, “4,311 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes,
an 8 percent increase from 2014. Although the number of large trucks and
buses in fatal crashes has increased by 26 percent from its low of 3,432
in 2009, the 2015 number is still 18 percent lower than the 21st-century
peak of 5,231 in 2005.” More than 12,000 tire blowouts are unfortunately
associated with these major
large truck and bus crashes in the United States each year. On average, the tires on these vehicles
can have over 75,000 pounds of pressure placed on them at any given time,
while being forced to hold up for thousand-mile hauls over roadways of
all types. Although semi tires are designed to be bigger, thicker, and
more durable than normal car tires, when the structure is compromised
from a puncture, tear, heat, cold, or rip, the tire pressure can be forcefully
released by the truck’s weight, causing an explosive and
deadly blowout for the driver and nearby motorists.
Many of these accidents can be prevented though if drivers and trucking
companies follow some basic rules and driving procedures. Servicing trucks
regularly and maintaining them well – including a thorough review
of all tires and completing safety checks on them before a trip –
can ensure that these massive road hogs are safe to be driven and roadworthy.
Compensation After a Fatal Semi Accident
We recognize that no amount of money can restore you or the lives of those
impacted by a tragic accident, however, that doesn’t mean that you
deserve to struggle under the weight of financial stress, new family responsibilities,
etc. You deserve the best quality of life possible, and Wagner Reese wants
to help you achieve that.
If you have been injured in a
semi-truck accident, the truck accident lawyers at Wagner Reese can assist you with your recovery
or help your family. In the case of a loved one lost as a result of a
truck accident, our expert
wrongful death attorneys can help you to understand your rights and options and will
fight to get your family the compensation you deserve. If you would like
legal advice on your accident, give us a call at (888) 204-8440 for
a free consultation.
