Ryan Pointer, Michael Schaffer Injured In Champaign County Semi-Truck Accident On Interstate 57

Truck Accident - March 16, 2022

Ryan Pointer, of Ottoawa, Michael Schaffer, of Reddick, Injured In Champaign Truck Accident After Tire Blowout On Interstate 57 Not Far From Tolono

Ryan Pointer, Michael Schaffer Injured In Champaign County Semi-Truck Accident On Interstate 57

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, ILLINOIS (March 15, 2022) – A truck driver from Ottawa identified as Ryan Pointer and a passenger identified as Michael Schaffer were injured in a truck accident on Interstate 57 in Champaign County.

Champaign County police officials are saying that the collision took place around 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Ryan Pointer and Michael Schaffer were in a tanker truck traveling south on I-57 near Tolono when the right front tire on the truck burst.

Ryan Pointer lost control of the truck and went off the road and into the center median. The truck spilled its load onto the northbound lanes of I-57.

Another semi-truck driver hit an object that fell off the truck. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident in order to help all of the victims.

Both Ryan Pointer and Michael Schaffer were taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment.

Liability In Champaign County Tire Blowout Accidents

An average of 33,000 accidents involving tires occur every year in the United States. According to the NHTSA, 612 people died in tire-related accidents in 2019 alone. One of the things that can make tire blowouts so dangerous is that most drivers don’t know how to handle their vehicle in the event of a blowout. There are a number of steps that drivers should take to stabilize their vehicle if they are involved in a blowout.

  • Drivers should keep a firm grip on the wheel.
  • Drivers should not slam on their brakes.
  • Drivers should gradually release the accelerator
  • Drivers should adjust their steering to help stabilize the vehicle.

Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties for a tire blowout accident. For starters, all companies have a legal responsibility to create products that are reasonably safe. They must also warn about the non-obvious dangers associated with the use of their products. When a company creates a product that is unreasonably safe, they can be held liable for an accident through a products liability claim.

Many tire blowouts are due to defects with the manufacturing process with the tire. For example, the outer portion of the tire may not be properly chemically bonded to the inner tread. A thorough investigation into the tire involved in an accident can help reveal if there were any defects with the tire itself. Liability for a tire blowout could also potentially extend to the company responsible for maintaining a truck.

Trucks are complex vehicles that are driven hundreds of thousands of miles. They need regular maintenance, especially the tires. In many circumstances, tire blowouts are totally preventable. Companies should replace worn tires. They also must inspect tires for signs of wear that could lead to a blowout. Failure to do this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any tire blowout.

  • All relevant evidence should be preserved, especially the tire that failed.
  • Photos should be taken.
  • Medical records should be preserved.
  • Eye witnesses should be interviewed.

Victims of tire tread accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including head injuries, brain injuries, lacerations and spinal cord injuries. Any person that is injured in a Champaign County tire tread accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. An Illinois tire defect attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.

Investigating A Champaign County Semi-Truck Accident

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to Ryan Pointer and Michael Schaffer as they continue to recover. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victims. It is our sincere hope that there is some accountability for what happened.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a tire blowout accident? You may be entitled to financial and medical compensation for your injuries. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the justice and support that they are entitled to. Whether you just have legal questions or need an investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.