WGK Personal Injury Lawyers | May 29, 2025 | Truck Accidents
If you’ve driven on a highway in Maryland lately, chances are you’ve seen large pieces of rubber scattered on the road. These pieces, sometimes called tire alligators, are shredded tires from large trucks, and, to a lesser degree, cars, vans, and other vehicles.
Exploding tires and other sudden tire failures may seem uncommon, but tire-related accidents caused 646 deaths in 2023 alone. Here’s why you see so many shredded or exploded tires on Maryland highways, and what causes these truck tire blowouts.
What Happens When a Truck Tire Explodes?
When a truck tire explodes, it doesn’t just go flat. It can blow apart with such force that rubber pieces called “tire shed” fly off and scatter across the road. These rubber strips can be several feet long and pose a serious hazard.
A tire blowout on a moving truck is dangerous for everyone nearby. It can cause the truck to swerve or the driver to lose control. Other drivers may crash while trying to avoid the debris. The tire alligators left behind can also cause accidents or damage to other vehicles later.
Why Truck Tires Are More Likely to Explode
Truck tires face a lot more stress than car tires. A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds.
Commercial truck tires are rated for these extreme conditions. Long-haul trucks that mostly drive on the interstates may get up to 200,000 miles on a set of tires that wear out in just one year. However, when something goes wrong, it means the tires are more likely to explode than go flat.
Here are some of the top reasons truck tires explode:
- Overloading: Too much weight puts added pressure on the tires.
- Underinflation: Low air pressure makes the tire flex more, creating heat that can cause premature failure.
- Overinflation: As heat increases from friction, the air inside the tires expands. When the rubber is stretched beyond its limit, it can cause an explosion.
- Worn-out tires: Old or damaged tires are more likely to blow.
- Heat: The heat generated by friction adds to tire stress on the pavement.
- Poor maintenance: Poor maintenance, failure to check tires before driving, and other operational problems can all cause tire explosions.
- Defects: Some tires are made using expired materials, subpar craftsmanship, or malfunctioning machinery, which results in defective tires that could be more likely to explode.
Many truck blowouts result from one or more of these major factors, and multiple parties may ultimately be at fault.
Potential Risk Factors for Truck Tire Explosions on Maryland’s Highways
Maryland is a central corridor for trucks traveling along the East Coast. Highways like I-95, I-70, and I-695 carry thousands of commercial vehicles each day. Interstate 95, in particular, is a crucial north-south route for long-haul trucking along the East Coast. More trucks on the road means more tire debris when things go wrong.
The state’s hot summers, steep hills, and heavy traffic also add to the problem because factors like heat and friction increase the chances of a blowout.
Tips to Prevent Truck Tire Blowouts and Avoid Any Resulting Accidents
There are a few key ways to reduce tire blowouts and keep highways safer:
- Regular inspections: Trucking companies should check tires often for wear, pressure, and damage. Drivers should always inspect tires before starting a route.
- Higher-quality tires: Investing in strong, reliable tires can reduce the likelihood of failures like explosions.
- Proper loading: Staying within legal weight limits and ensuring balanced cargo helps protect the tires.
For regular drivers, it is important to stay alert and keep a safe distance from large trucks. If you see a tire shred on the road, slow down and steer around it safely.
Beware of Exploded Truck Tires on Maryland Highways
Exploded truck tires on Maryland highways aren’t just ugly; they’re dangerous. These blowouts are caused by a mix of heat, weight, poor maintenance, and defects.
If you have been hurt in a crash involving an exploding truck tire, multiple parties may share fault. A truck accident attorney can help you hold the trucking company, manufacturer, maintenance company, and others responsible.
Contact the Maryland Personal Injury Law Firm of WGK Personal Injury Lawyers Today For Help
For more information contact the Maryland personal injury law firm of WGK Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation.
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers
14 W Madison St, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
(410) 837-2144
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers – Dundalk Office
7329 Holabird Ave Suite 3, Dundalk, MD 21222
By appointment only
(410) 970-3080