Available 24/7
Available 24/7
Talk to a Lawyer Now
$100,000,000’s Recovered for Clients
When a steer tire blows out on a semi-truck, it can turn an 80,000-pound vehicle into a deadly missile — and in seconds, lives can be lost. At the Willis Firm we represent victims of catastrophic truck crashes caused by equipment failure, negligence, improper maintenance, and tire defects. These include jackknifes, truck rollovers, and devastating crashes that begin with a front-axle tire blowout.
Attorney David P. Willis, a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer (Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1988) and a former attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas, leads our firm’s nationwide litigation team. With over 40 years of legal experience, he helps families pursue justice when defective tires, unqualified drivers, or negligent maintenance cause catastrophic truck wrecks and rollovers..
Below, we break down what causes these steer tire blowouts, how drivers can survive them, and who may be legally responsible when a preventable tire failure changes lives forever not only to the innocent passing motorist, but often to the truck driver as well.
Call Us 24/7 – 1-888-LAW-2040
The steer tires are located on the truck’s front axle — and when one of them fails at high speed, the results can be catastrophic. A blown left steering tire can cause the truck to veer sharply left, potentially into oncoming traffic or the median. A right-side steer tire failure may pull the truck into a ditch, barrier, or highway shoulder.
This sudden shift in directional control can cause the vehicle to veer violently across traffic lanes or off the road entirely. If the driver is hauling a tanker, flatbed, or heavy load, the risk of 18-wheeler rollover increases substantially. The danger also extends to nearby vehicles — a runaway tractor-trailer and load can crush smaller vehicles, cause secondary collisions, or trigger chain-reaction pileups. In many fatal truck accidents, the event begins with an unexpected steer tire blowout that catches the driver off guard and offers little time to react. Catastrophic injuries and deaths can happen in a flash, especially at highway speeds with loads upward of 60-80,000 lbs.
Common causes include:
Steer tire failures often trace back to preventable conditions. Poor pre-trip inspections, lack of training, or running steer tires too close to minimum tread depth all increase risk.
When a steer tire explodes, the truck may jerk violently to one side with a loud bang. The natural reaction for many drivers is to slam on the brakes — but that’s exactly what you should NOT do.
Braking loads more weight onto the front axle — the same one that just lost a tire — and makes steering almost impossible. It can cause the trailer to fishtail, jackknife, or flip, especially if the load isn’t perfectly balanced.
Step 1: Firm Grip and Smooth Countersteering
Grab the wheel with both hands. Expect a strong pull to the side of the blown tire. Gently steer to keep the rig straight. Do not overcorrect.
Step 2: DO NOT Slam the Brakes
Keep your foot off the brake pedal. Braking adds more pressure to the already unstable front axle. If braking is needed, do so gently and only after slowing.
Step 3: Apply Light Throttle
This sounds counterintuitive, but a slight acceleration shifts weight to the rear drive axles, improving stability and steering control.
Step 4: Let the Truck Slow Down Naturally
Allow the truck to coast until it slows to around 20–30 mph. Then apply brakes gradually and prepare to pull over.
Step 5: Pull Off Safely
Signal, turn on your hazard lights, and guide the truck to a wide shoulder or safe turnout with good visibility. Avoid stopping in blind curves or hills.
Reacting correctly during a blowout takes mental training, not just instinct. Some carriers use simulators or training vehicles to help drivers experience what a blowout feels like.
FMCSA recommends that carriers integrate emergency response techniques into routine driver training. Repetition builds confidence. Blowout drills, instructional videos, and safety refreshers reduce injury rates and help save lives.
Even seasoned drivers may panic if they’ve never rehearsed the scenario. That’s why hands-on practice is critical.
Motor carriers have a legal duty to maintain equipment and prevent foreseeable hazards. To reduce blowouts, they must:
Carriers that fail to follow these safety rules may face direct liability in injury or wrongful death lawsuits.
1. Bridgestone Ecopia on Freightliner Cascadia (NHTSA Recall #21V-007)
Thousands of Bridgestone Ecopia on Freightliner Cascadia tires were recalled due to tread separation risks from aerodynamic drag and tire incompatibility — raising blowout risk on steer axles.
2. Yokohama RY023 & TY517 (Recalls #20T-007 & #18T-016)
These tires were recalled for internal casing compound failures, increasing the chance of sudden tread separation on front tires.
These recalls highlight how critical it is to track the origin, age, and condition of every tire installed on a commercial truck. In many steer tire lawsuits, manufacturers try to shift blame — but service logs and inspection records often prove otherwise. Defective tires are a common cause of catastrophic truck crashes.
Truck Driver
If the driver skipped inspections or ignored visible tread damage, they may share fault.
Carrier
Failure to replace aging tires or provide training may create direct corporate liability.
Tire Manufacturer
Flawed designs, casing defects, or bonding failures may trigger a product liability lawsuit.
Broker or Maintenance Provider
If a broker chose an unsafe carrier, or a service vendor failed to properly install or inspect tires, those parties can also face claims.
In many cases, victims may not realize there are multiple overlapping truck insurance policies that apply — including excess, umbrella, and broker policies. Experienced legal teams investigate every possible layer of coverage to secure full compensation.
A blown front steering tire on a semi-truck can cause massive destruction in seconds. Preventing these wrecks starts with solid tires, vigilant inspections, and strong emergency training.
Even with decades of experience, no driver can prevent a catastrophe if a tire was defective from the start. That’s why accountability matters. Victims deserve answers — and those responsible, whether it’s a tire manufacturer, negligent fleet, or repair contractor, must be held fully liable.
Semi-Truck crash and tire defect attorney David P. Willis has over 40 years of experience handling complex defective tire and truck rollover crash claims. As a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer and former attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas, he leads our efforts to uncover the truth and fight for justice nationwide.
Call Us at 1-888-LAW-2040 Today for a Free Consultation.
No Fees Unless We Win.
WILLIS LAW FIRM 5005 Riverway Drive #160 Houston, Texas 77056 – Principle Place of Business | Toll-Free (1-888-LAW-2040) – Free Case Review – All Meetings by Appointment Only
Copyright ©2025 Law.net All Rights Reserved
Truck Accident Attorney – Nationwide Help Call 24/7