No matter where you are located, road gators can pose potential threats to your safety. You might be imagining alligators, but that’s not quite the case. Tire debris from semi-trucks is frequently referred to as “road gators” due to the tire’s scaly-like appearance that resembles alligators. These hazards are prevalent, and most drivers have encountered them at least once in their lifetime. While some of this debris may be small pieces, some of it is large enough to cause accidents that lead to injuries, as a truck accident lawyer can share. Maginnis Howard represents those injured across the Carolinas in trucking accidents on a contingency basis. Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
How Road Gators Occur
The most straightforward explanation for this debris is a tire blowout—when a tire bursts or explodes. However, there are many reasons this may have happened. First, the tire may have a defect. It may not have been manufactured properly, or it may have somehow been damaged when it was transported before it was put onto the vehicle.
Second, tire maintenance may be a factor. A driver or auto body shop may underinflate or overinflate the tire. Colder weather may cause a low tire pressure notification, but as the tires heat up, the tires become overinflated. Tires also experience normal wear and tear over their years of use, and incorrect repairs to past damage can contribute to future problems.
Next, driving conditions can cause road gators. If a semi is traveling at high speeds, this can cause a tire to blowout. A driver may speed to compensate for the time lost on the job or not observe he speed limit. Of course, bad roads can cause road gators as well. A bad pothole can cause a blowout for any vehicle.
In addition to tire maintenance, vehicle maintenance can identify dangerous issues before a driver hits the road. For example, tires may not have been aligned properly during overall vehicle maintenance. Additionally, tires may not be adequately matched on the vehicle, putting more pressure on one than the other, which can be intertwined with the following cause: an overloaded vehicle. If a commercial tractor-trailer has been overloaded, this can put undue or uneven pressure on the tires, leading to a blowout.
Liability In Accidents
As our friends at Cohen & Cohen can explain, liability in these cases can be tricky, but experienced legal professionals can help you establish who caused the negligence that led to your accident. This can be for either semis or other vehicles on the road. If the truck driver works for a company, that company is responsible for ensuring proper maintenance of the entire vehicle.
However, many truckers are contractors, meaning vehicle maintenance falls on them instead of the company they are hauling items for. This is also often a factor in speeding. Truckers trying to make up time on the job may be held liable for an accident caused by road gators, but if their company permits drivers to speed or forces them to do so, then the company can be held at fault.
Tire manufacturers also have a duty to create safe products, so if a defect in the tire causes a blowout and subsequent accident, the manufacturer can be held liable. In addition, if it is determined that the tire was damaged by the company transporting it from the manufacturer to the end point of sale, that company can be held liable for the accident the tire causes.
Representation for Your Injuries
Injuries resulting from road gators can result in a complicated case. However, holding the proper parties accountable is crucial so that everyone stays safe on the road. Road gators can cause accidents in several ways. Whether you are near a semi when a blowout occurs or if pieces are left in the roadway, drivers are at risk. If you have run into this debris and been injured, contact the North Carolina attorneys of Maginnis Howard. We are conveniently located across the state in Charlotte, Fayetteville, and Raleigh. We offer free consultations to potential personal injury clients across the Carolinas.
