SEWARD COUNTY, Kan. — Manuel Zamarron Dominguez, a 55-year-old Ulysses resident, was injured Nov. 10 in a tire failure accident on Seward County Road 22, off U.S. 83.
Zamarron Dominguez was eastbound at about 3:15 p.m. in a 1995 West Tanker when the tanker’s right front tire blew out and caused the vehicle to roll at least two times before coming to rest on its wheels in the south ditch, according to an accident report from the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Zamarron Dominguez was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. A ground ambulance transported him to Southwest Medical Center in Liberal. He was later flown to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita with suspected serious injuries.
Authorities have not released any additional information about Zamarron Dominguez’s condition nor factors that may have contributed to the tire failure.
COMMENTARY ON THE MANUEL ZAMARRON DOMINGUEZ ACCIDENT
I was concerned when I learned of Mr. Zamarron Dominguez’ serious accident involving a tire blowout on the 1995 tanker truck he was driving. Fortunately, he did not succumb to the injuries he sustained during the ensuing rollover. He is one of the lucky ones.
One U.S. Department of Transportation report, released just last month, indicates that 892 occupants of large trucks, defined as trucks weighing 10,000 pounds or more, died in crashes in 2019. In 2019, the U.S. also experienced the largest number of large truck crashes resulting death in more than a decade.
Commercial vehicles that cover hundreds of thousands of miles per year require more frequent inspection and maintenance than passenger trucks. Large truck tires should be replaced every three to six years, depending on the road conditions and number of miles traveled annually. Rough roads, high temperature climates, construction zones, and other factors can affect tire longevity.
Furthermore, commercial tires should be replaced in matched sets for even wear and drivability. Proper inflation of each tire is necessary for optimal performance.
Considering the age of the tanker in Mr. Zamarron Dominguez' accident, I have to wonder if this vehicle was being properly maintained, particularly with regard to tire upkeep. I have focused my practice on tire failure cases in my 30-year tenure as a personal injury attorney and done considerable studies on tire defect, resulting in my Tire Defect Litigationbook. Needless to say, I have seen many accidents like this before.
Still, tires do blow out as a result of road hazards and road conditions. You may have noticed the amount of tire debris on our interstates during the summer months. Blowouts do seem to occur more often when the road temperatures are highest.
Authorities have not indicated sufficient details to determine the cause of the blowout. However, it is imperative that the tire be retained and any pieces of tread that may have separated from the tire for a thorough inspection.
My hope is for Mr. Zamarron Dominguez’ full and speedy recovery.
Disclaimer: All of the information contained within this post was compiled from public sources or constitutes the opinion of the author. Please inform us immediately if you identify any false or misleading information.
