18-Year-Old Dies In Flying Tire Accident

An 18-year-old woman died after a flying tire struck her windshield. The tire flew over a concrete barrier after becoming unlatched from a truck that was headed in the opposite direction. The incident occurred on I-75. However, maintenance on a vehicle is always the responsibility of the driver. In this article, the Florida flying tire accident attorneys at Halpern, Santos & Pinkert will discuss flying tire accidents, who is responsible, and how they work.

Understanding flying tire accidents 

Flying tire accidents occur when a tire comes off a vehicle, usually a commercial truck, and slams into another vehicle. When it comes to 18-wheelers, these tires each weigh 110 pounds. When they slam into the windshield of another vehicle, the result is often the death of the driver. The tire absorbs the speed of the vehicle as it is driving. When it occurs on a major highway, the tire could be traveling as high as 50 mph once it comes off the truck.

In some cases, it completely obliterates the cabin of the vehicle. In the incident mentioned above, the flying tire killed the driver.

Liability in a flying tire accident 

While flying tire incidents may seem like freak accidents, they are anything but.

Every individual who drives a vehicle is responsible for the maintenance of that vehicle. When a tire flies off a moving vehicle, the driver or company that employed the driver can be sued for damages. Ultimately, the driver is responsible for their own vehicle.

When it comes to commercial truck accidents, routine inspections are supposed to be performed on the truck before it leaves for a delivery. These inspections are also supposed to be carried out during the delivery. When a tire flies off a truck, it is thus the responsibility of the truck driver and their company.

In the case mentioned above, it is believed that a pickup truck lost its tire and caused death. In that case, the driver of the pickup truck or the pickup truck’s owner would be responsible for the flying tire. The family of the victim could file a wrongful death lawsuit against the owner.

Alternatively, it could be that the tire was installed defectively. In that case, the company responsible for installing the tire would be liable for this death since they failed to ensure the tire was attached to the wheel properly.

Causes of flying tire accidents 

Causes of flying tire accidents include:

• Defects in the tire itself
• Improper installation
• Worn out parts
• Hub separations
• Improper maintenance on the truck

Someone is always responsible for a flying tire accident. Those who are injured or or grieving families of those who are killed in these accidents do have recourse to file a lawsuit.

Contact a Florida Flying Tire Accident Attorney Today 

Halpern, Santos & Pinkert represent the interests of those who are injured or grieving families of those who are killed in flying tire accidents. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation, and we can begin pursuing your claim immediately.

Source:

wcpo.com/news/local-news/boone-county/sheriff-woman-struck-killed-by-loose-flying-tire-on-i-75-sb-in-boone-county