The risk of wheels and tires falling off of trucks hasn’t garnered as much media attention as it warrants. It’s a major hazard that countless people are exposed to while on the road in traffic every day. Make sure you know how to handle this type of accident in case you’re ever in that situation in California.
What makes truck wheels and tires so dangerous?
Truck wheels are made of steel. With the added weight of the tire that’s attached to it, each one often weighs in excess of 100 pounds.
Add to that physics equation the speeds at which trucks travel down the highway and it creates a lethal situation. Numerous deaths and severe injuries have resulted from this type of big rig accident.
Victims in these incidents can include pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and vehicle occupants. Other times, it might happen to police officers or road repair workers. If they don’t have anything to protect them from the object and no way to avoid it, flying tire wheels can instantly kill them at highway speeds.
What does a forensic investigation of the accident entail?
These types of cases usually involve a search for parts of the tire as well as any other pieces of debris that were involved in the accident. This helps to build a case and understand what caused the accident to occur.
It’s crucial that the truck is inspected promptly after the accident. The trucking company may be required to keep the vehicle and all of its parts in the condition it was in at the time of the accident. The company is oftentimes not allowed to repair or modify the vehicle so investigators can gain an accurate representation of what happened at the time of the incident.