Looking at the tires after a large truck crash in Louisiana

Highways are littered with long, black, rubber strips, showing how truck tires can be used until they start disintegrating.

Are all Louisiana large trucks riding with completely worn out tires? Of course not. Many motor carriers have a tire control, maintenance and replacement policy in place, but there are several very good reasons to look at the truck’s tires after a serious crash with an 18-wheeler in Louisiana.

Truck tires play a crucial role in a semi- truck’s ability to stop. A large truck at 65 miles per hour requires, in the best of circumstances, 20% more distance to come to a stop than a passenger car. The problem is that “the best of circumstances” are almost never achieved in the case of a large truck. Leaving aside the question of how truck brakes should be controlled and maintained, in many cases truck tires are below standard and increase the risks of a serious truck crash:

Worn out tires: An 18-wheeler travelling 100,000 miles per year requires constant tire controls and changes. Truck tires are expensive and each replacement takes time and money. Truck drivers are mostly responsible for inspecting their trucks and requesting a tire change, but they are paid by the mile and will keep rolling until the truck reaches the base and the truck can be taken off the road for maintenance.

Changing trailers: Most motor carriers operate a fleet of tractors with interchangeable trailers. Trailers are fitted with 8 of the 18 wheels of the tractor-trailer combination. If the truck driver mostly drives the same tractor, he or she does not have much control over the trailers.

Mismatched tire wear: The efficiency of the brake system of a truck depends on the brake power being applied equally to all the wheels. If one wheel has worn out tires and the other does not, the worn out tire wheel will block and skid, creating a dangerous imbalance and reducing the braking efficiency or causing a jackknife.

Mismatched tire type: The same problem occurs when tires of different types are mounted, such as radial and bias tires, or tires of different sizes or treads.

Inadequate air pressure: Tire inspection implies checking the tire pressure. On a large truck, making sure that all the tires are pressurized as they should be is essential, not just to reduce wear and fuel consumption, but also to maximize the efficiency of braking.

On a large semi-truck, in other words, there are many reasons why tires can be below standard and create a much greater crash risk. This is why you may need an experienced truck accident law firm like the Young Firm to investigate on the scene whether the motor carrier has abided by the numerous rules and regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

If you have been the victim of a serious car or truck accident caused by someone else, contact immediately the attorneys of the Young Firm for a FREE consultation on your case at (504) 680-4100 (local) or (866) 660-7220 (toll free), or by sending us an e-mail.