Alabama Truck Tire Flat Spot Accident Attorney

Tire flat spots are a lot more dangerous than they appear. If an 18-wheeler or other large commercial vehicle is equipped with tires that have flat spots, it should not be operated until the problem is fixed. Unfortunately, some trucking companies may not perform necessary maintenance on their fleet of vehicles to ensure they are operating efficiently. If you or a family member was the victim of a trucking accident, you should consult with an experienced Alabama tire flat spot accident attorney.

The Morrison Law Firm is here to help you pursue compensation for your injuries against a negligent truck driver and their employer. Our firm has represented residents of Birmingham, Montgomery, Selma, and across the State of Alabama, and we would be proud to represent you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your injury claim, call The Morrison Law Firm at (334) 513-1323, or contact us online.

Common Causes of Truck Tire Flat Spots

Truck tire flat spots can be the result of several different circumstances. However, it is also easy to locate flat spots on a tire and determine whether the tires can be repaired or need to be replaced. Unfortunately, some truck drivers and their employers will neglect to perform routine maintenance that can identify tire flat spots before they cause a serious issue that leads to an accident. The following is a list of common causes of truck tire flat spots.

Excessive Storage of a Truck

Parking a truck for a long period of time is likely the most common cause of truck tire flat spots. Specifically, allowing a truck to be parked for weeks at a time or even just a few days can cause the tires to develop flat spots, also known as flat-spotting.

Flat-spotting may occur more quickly if a truck is parked in an area with cold temperatures. This is because the cold temperature and concrete will cause the rubber on the tire to become rigid and cause the portion of the tire that is touching the ground to expand and flatten.

Additionally, the size of a truck’s tires and the load on the tires can also play a role in the causing tire flat spots. For example, if a tractor-trailer is parked for an extended period of time and the trailer is filled with cargo that is placing an uneven amount of weight on the truck tires, this could cause flat-spotting.

It is also important to note that high-performance tires often do not have a substantial impact on whether a tire will develop flat spots. Alternatively, many high-performance tires are more prone to flat-spotting than other brands of tires.

When starting a truck after having it parked for an extended period, the vehicle may begin to shake, or the tires may be stuck in place due to freezing temperatures. A truck driver that ignores these signs could be held liable for an accident caused due to tire flat spots.

Brake Lockup

If a driver is caught off guard and slams on their brakes to avoid another vehicle or road hazard, it is highly likely that the sudden pressure on the brakes could cause the brakes to lock and the vehicle to skid. If a truck driver commits a panic stop like this, they could immediately cause flat-spotting on one or more of their tires. Flat spots that are developed due to a panic stop are typically permanent and cannot be repaired. Failure to replace these tires could cause various other issues, like a truck having decreased mobility and control when driving.

An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is one solution to prevent truck tires from skidding on sudden stops. As the name implies, ABS stop a vehicle’s tires from skidding by keeping the tires rolling on the road while the driver is braking. When this is happening, the ABS is automatically and swiftly pumping the brakes to reduce the likelihood of flat-spotting. This can also help when driving on roads that are slippery or icy.

If a truck is not equipped with ABS, it may be possible to reduce incidences of flat-spotting by using a method known as threshold braking. This technique is when a driver presses their brakes just hard enough to gain maximum traction, but not hard enough for the tires to begin skidding. While this is an advanced driving technique, trucking companies would be wise to teach this technique to drivers that are operating vehicles that do not have an ABS.

If a trucking company neglects to take precautions to prevent tire flat spots or to repair or replace that are damaged due to flat spots, they can be held liable for a trucking accident that may occur due to their negligence.

Our Alabama Truck Tire Flat Spot Accident Lawyer is Ready to Work with You

If you or a family member was seriously injured in an accident with a tractor trailer, contact an experienced Montgomery tire flat spot accident lawyer. Personal injury lawyer Rick Morrison has over 20 years of legal experience that he will utilize that experience to provide you with the legal representation that you deserve. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact The Morrison Law Firm at (334) 513-1323.