Who’s Responsible for Commercial Tire Failure?
Tire failure can be catastrophic for commercial operators and other drivers, resulting in injury, casualty, lawsuits and compliance citations. So, who’s responsible when it occurs?
The answer depends on the cause of the failure. Understanding your responsibilities as a driver or manager and conducting regular inspections can help you operate your fleet safely.
Common Causes of Commercial Tire Failure
Poor maintenance: Underinflation and a lack of rotation create uneven wear patterns on commercial tires. That affects rolling resistance and heat buildup, which can compromise the integrity of the tire’s internal structure.
Road conditions: Hitting potholes and debris may create tears, punctures and sidewall bulges. Driving over rough surfaces also causes vibration stress that negatively impacts commercial tires.
Overloading: You place unnecessary strain on your tires when you exceed the recommended load limits. That weight generates more heat during rotation, accelerating degradation.
Poor driving: Harsh braking, fast acceleration and sharp turns could lead to flat spots on your tire treads, resulting in damage and failure.
Defective products: Design flaws can lead to inaccurate load and speed ratings. Low-quality materials increase the risk of tire failure due to cracking and warping under pressure.
Determining Liability for Tire Failure
Trucking Company
Your company may be held liable for injuries and damage caused by commercial tire failure if you fail to perform inspections, complete routine maintenance or falsify your records. That may qualify as negligence and a violation of FMCSA regulations, which outline specific inspection schedules. It’s also important to check for tire recalls, as missing those warnings could also place legal responsibility in your court.
Operator or Driver
As a commercial truck driver, you must maintain your tires, address signs of damage and decide when to pull over in unsafe conditions. Failing to complete those actions could result in legal and financial ramifications if your tires fail and cause an accident. If aggressive driving habits like speeding contributed to a blowout, you could also face contributory fault as your actions triggered or worsened the issue.
Tire Manufacturer
Manufacturing defects such as poor bonding and tread separation could produce commercial tire failure. If the tires were unsafe due to design flaws or the use of substandard materials, the responsibility falls to the manufacturer. They may also fail to issue recalls about defects, which is why it’s important to check for them on the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association website.
Distributor or Retailer
A distributor might be held responsible for tire failure if they:
- Knowingly sold defective or recalled tires
- Installed the wrong commercial tire size or type
- Sold used or retreaded tires without proper inspection
- Failed to detect visible issues during installation
Those actions are considered negligent and also breach certain warranties if the tires don’t hold up against industry safety standards.
How to Protect Your Fleet from Legal Claims
Taking a proactive approach to fleet maintenance and compliance monitoring can lower your risk for tire failure. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Stay up to date on regulations: Federal, state and local transportation regulations change, so it’s crucial to check in with agencies like FMCSA, DOT and OSHA to stay on top of updates. It’s also a good habit to review your company’s safety and inspection policies at least once a year to ensure they align with industry standards.
Implement a preventative maintenance program: Consistent inspections allow you to spot minor tire issues before they become costly and dangerous problems. DOT standards require at least 4/32” of tread on steer tires and 2/32” on other positions. Because underinflation is the most common cause of blowouts and failure on the road, check air pressure before and after each haul. Tire management systems can also help you monitor tire inflation and integrity in real time.
Maintain your records: Accurate documentation, inspection reports, receipts and certifications are essential for protecting yourself from liability in the event of tire failure. Having that information also demonstrates your commitment to compliance.
Provide proper driver training: Instructing your operators on defensive driving and proper loading techniques can reduce the risk of accelerated tire wear. Periodic safety briefings can help reinforce best practices, too.
Fleet Maintenance and Inspections at Bauer Built
Keep your fleet rolling efficiently with a tire maintenance program at Bauer Built. We offer a variety of commercial services that you can customize to suit your budget and operational requirements. Find a location near you to schedule service.
Categories: Bauer Built Blog, Commercial Tire Tips
