Wabaunsee Co., Kansas – Authorities reported that two people were injured after their 2020 Ford Explorer crashed off the side of Interstate 70 near Carlson Road.
The accident was caused after a 2016 Kenworth tractor-trailer heading East on I-70 suffered a front-left tire blowout. The driver of the semi-truck, fifty-five-year-old Thomas Bolds, was unable to control the truck and crashed into the center median.
The 2020 Ford following the semi-truck struck the tire debris and crashed into the median.
Authorities reported that the occupants of the Ford, Curtis and Margaret Johnson, were injured in the accident and transported to the University of Kansas St. Francis Hospital for treatment.
Bolds was reportedly not injured in the accident.
No further information was immediately available.
Thoughts on tire-related accidents and potential relief available to the injured victims
Those who follow our blog and are familiar with our site understand our firm is one of the leading authorities in tire defect litigation. When we encounter an accident involving a tire, we report the accident and provide perspective to the injured victims.
We are incredibly fortunate no lives were lost in this crash and are hopeful the Johnson’s can fully recover from their injuries. This accident is another example of the dangers posed by a bad tire. While we will need to conduct an independent investigation before determining why this tire failed at highway speeds, we know these accidents should not occur on our nation’s roadways.
Steer axle tires are designed to withstand thousands of miles of friction. These tires are also subject to stringent rules and regulations that prevent them from ever reaching their useful life. Thus, when we have a sudden blowout, we are immediately concerned that the tire was either defective when it left the manufacturer, or the trucking company failed to maintain its vehicles properly. It is rare for a well-maintained steer axle to fail absent negligence on the part of one or more parties.
The Johnson’s will need a lawyer trained in this area of the law to determine the cause of this blowout. Our firm has been handling tire-related accidents for over thirty years. We have a team of trained experts that can quickly identify potential defects and hold the responsible parties liable for their actions. Our investigatory services are free and will provide clarity on the best path forward
