Bakersfield, California – The California Highway Patrol has reported Jerome Reed, 54, of Bakersfield, was seriously injured after a sudden tire failure caused him to lose control and crash his cement truck.
Reed was traveling westbound in a 2015 Peterbilt cement truck on Lerdo Highway when his front-left steer axle tire failed. The sudden failure caused the truck to travel through the eastbound lanes and overturn, crashing into a power pole and two parked cars.
Authorities report Reed was trapped inside the truck and had to be extracted by the Kern County Fire Department. Reed suffered serious injuries in the crash and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Kern was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and was traveling around 60 mph. Authorities do not believe distraction, alcohol, or driver error played a role in this crash.
The party responsible for the tire blowout must be held accountable for Reed’s injuries
This is another example of an innocent man that has suffered life-altering injuries at no fault of his own. This man was working to make a living for himself and his family and, because of someone else’s actions, has suffered injuries that will cost him a fortune and change his life forever. This is not fair, and the party responsible for the blowout must be held responsible, pay all medical costs associated with Reed’s injuries, and compensate him for the pain he must endure, any lost wages he suffers, and any loss of life pleasures that may result from the crash.
As one of the leading tire defect firms in the nation, we have an inside view of tire failures occurring across the nation. Unfortunately, we are seeing an alarming increase in steer axle tire failures that are leading to serious injuries and death. We are currently handling a case for a Los Angeles County family whose father was killed when the front-left steer axle tire on his Kenworth tractor-trailer failed, causing him to crash into a frontage road. We are handling another for a Stockton family whose child was killed after a Freightliner’s front-left steer axle tire failed at highway speeds and crashed into the family’s vehicle. These are only a couple of examples of tires failing and causing serious injuries and death. Each of these cases, and the many more we are currently handling, have the same common defect in the left steer axle tire. In fact, many of these cases occur on new tires with only minimal use. The pattern we are seeing is very concerning, and manufacturers must fix the issue.
If, as I suspect is the case, this tire failed because of a manufacturing defect similar to those we see across the nation, the manufacturer must be held responsible to increase the likelihood of a nationwide recall and to ensure Mr. Reed receives total compensation for his injuries and suffering. This will require trained lawyers and industry experts that understand the complicated process of identifying and proving a tire defect. Fortunately, these cases are handled without upfront costs to ensure injured victims receive the care they need without financial concern.
Until then, I extend my concern to Mr. Reed during this difficult time and hope for a full and speedy recovery.
