A March 2024 crash on Interstate 630 in Little Rock recently resulted in one person requiring ambulance transport to a nearby hospital.
The crash occurred shortly before noon near the Woodrow Overpass on I-630. A semi-truck was headed west on I-630 when a wheel came loose from the vehicle. The wheel crossed the interstate’s median and crashed into a vehicle that was heading east.
How Common Are Semi-Truck Wheel Separations?
The wheel flying off a semi-truck to crash into a nearby car sounds like a scene from a movie. Unfortunately, this scene occurs in real life as well. Known as “wheel separation” or “wheel-off” accidents, these incidents can cause severe or even deadly injuries.
A truck’s wheel can weigh more than 300 pounds. If a wheel comes off while the truck is traveling down an interstate, the wheel may hurtle toward other vehicles at speeds of 70 miles per hour or more. The resulting collision can cause severe damage to vehicles and to the bodies of anyone inside them.
A study by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) estimates that as many as 1,050 tractor-trailer wheel separations occur each year. The NTSB identifies two main causes behind most wheel separations:
- Faulty or degraded wheel fasteners and
- Failed wheel bearings.
To prevent wheel-off accidents, most truck wheel manufacturers recommend that wheel end components be replaced every 85,000 to 100,000 miles. Inspecting wheel end components is part of the necessary maintenance all large trucks require. When this maintenance isn’t performed, serious injuries can result.
Why Large Truck Maintenance Matters
Maintenance is a must in order to prevent wheel separation accidents like the one that occurred on I-630. When maintenance isn’t performed, the clamping force between the wheel and axle may be too tight or too loose.
Either situation can result in a wheel separation. If the clamping force is too loose, the wheels may come off the axels, resulting in a wheel-off accident. If the clamping force is too strong, the relsting stress on the fasteners may cause one to fail. Without fasteners in place, the wheel can come off, causing injuries.
A truck’s wheels aren’t the only part that requires regular inspection, maintenance, and repairs. Many other semi-truck parts, including lights, brakes, steering, and transmission components, may cause a crash if a part fails at a critical moment.
Large truck drivers typically perform visual inspections of their trucks and loads while traveling. Yet drivers don’t have the tools or expertise to perform a full inspection and maintenance before every trip.
For in-depth maintenance, drivers often depend on their employers or the company that owns the truck to perform inspections and maintenance. When these parties don’t fulfill their responsibilities, the truck driver may not know a problem exists until the part has already failed – and serious injuries have occurred.
What to Do After a Tractor-Trailer Crash
Whether you experience a large truck crash or only witness one, you’re likely to be rattled by the experience. After a crash, follow these steps if possible:
- Get to safety. Try to get out of the path of oncoming traffic before taking any other steps. Use vehicle lights, flares, or flashlights to warn oncoming traffic about the crash.
- Call 911. Call emergency services immediately. First responders can help anyone who is injured and can also make records of the crash site, which may be needed later.
- Get medical attention. For severe injuries, first responders will likely address your medical needs at the scene and may transport you to a nearby hospital. If you don’t receive medical care at the scene, see a doctor as soon as possible.
- Record your impressions. Take photos, make video, draw diagrams, or write down notes of what you saw, heard, or felt as the crash occurred. Gather contact information from those involved in the crash and from any witnesses and add this to your notes.
- Focus on the facts. If you speak to police or to insurance company representatives at the scene, give them only the facts – what you saw, heard, or felt, along with basic information like your name and address. Don’t offer an opinion as to how the crash happened or whose fault it was. Wait until all the facts are available before you form your final opinion.
Finally, speak to an experienced Arkansas truck accident lawyer as soon as you can after the accident. A lawyer can help you handle insurance company paperwork and other tasks, so that you can focus on healing.