A truck tire fails at highway speed and the physics finish the story — but the legal story has two chapters: was the tire defective, or was its maintenance negligent? Often the honest answer is both, which means two defendants, two theories, and one piece of evidence that must survive: the tire itself.
- The product chapter: manufacturing and design defects run through product liability — with NHTSA recall history as context and tire forensics as proof.
- The maintenance chapter: carriers own inspection duties — tread depth, pressure, age, retread condition — under FMCSA rules; skipped inspections convert a blowout into negligence.
- The preservation imperative: the failed tire, its mate, and the maintenance records must be demanded immediately — ‘the tire was discarded’ is the defense’s favorite sentence, and spoliation letters exist to prevent it.
Victims include everyone the physics reached — struck vehicles, and sometimes the truck’s own driver against the manufacturer. The full truck-claim machinery applies, with the tire at its center.
Frequently Asked Questions
The trucking company says ‘road debris, not our fault.’ Now what?
Tire forensics distinguish impact failures from defects and neglect — that’s an expert question, not an adjuster’s declaration, and it requires the tire preserved.
What should I do first after a truck crash?
Medical care, then counsel before any carrier contact — the preservation demand for electronic logs and camera footage is the most time-sensitive act in these cases, and the carrier’s rapid-response team is already working.
What does hiring you cost?
No attorney’s fee unless we recover; the contingency percentage and cost handling are in the written fee agreement. Consultations are free.
Hurt in a crash like this? Call (215) 464-4600 or contact us online — free, confidential consultations, contingency-fee representation.