Tire Blowout Accident Attorneys Big Auto

According to figures released by the United States Department of Transportation in November, 2023, issues involving tires were among the top three vehicle-related factors in fatal truck and passenger car crashes. Many of the tire-related passenger car accidents were also multiple-vehicle crashes.

Tires that suddenly deflate or burst while a vehicle is in motion can cause catastrophic harm to drivers, passengers and other vehicles, especially when they occur at high speeds. The sudden and unexpected loss of tire pressure can cause a driver to lose control. Under certain circumstances, a sudden blowout could also cause a vehicle to roll over.

The critical difference between a tire leak and a blowout

A blowout is unlike a slow leak or a “flat tire” that typically alerts a driver to the need to take corrective action. It’s not difficult to repair most slow leaks, but a blowout often results in the tread detaching itself from the tire, which requires a complete replacement. In addition to showing itself in a visual inspection, a driver may become aware of a slow leak when a vehicle pulls to the side or appears to have alignment issues. A blowout, however, could occur at the worst possible time and without any warning.

Proactive steps a vehicle owner or operator could take to help prevent tire blowouts

Vehicle owners and operators owe it to themselves and to others sharing the road with them to take steps to prevent dangerous blowouts.
 
Three of the proactive measures that could help prevent tire blowouts include:

• Maintaining tire pressure at the manufacturer’s recommended PSI level
• Replacing old or worn-out tires
• Making sure a vehicle’s tires get inspected by professional service personnel during regular maintenance sessions

One of the most dangerous aspects of a tire blowout is that it can cause severe harm to other nearby vehicles. Tire blowouts on large trucks, buses or tractor trailers can, for example, result in multiple vehicle pile-ups. A blowout that causes an 18-wheeler semi-truck to lose control on a crowded highway could serve as the primary cause of a catastrophic accident.
 

Secondary collisions caused by out-of-control large trucks

Tire blowouts involving large trucks are not uncommon, especially when they’re overloaded and covering long distances. Large truck tire blowouts are particularly dangerous. As other drivers near an out-of-control truck attempt to swerve to avoid it, they can instead collide with other vehicles that are also trying to get out of the way.
 

Tire and cargo roadway debris

A blowout on a large truck could spread large rubber fragments from the exploded tire across a highway and cause other vehicles to lose control. In some cases, cargo could also fall from an out-of-control truck. The sudden appearance of tire fragments or cargo debris on a busy multi-lane highway could prove disastrous for many of the other vehicles riding close to the affected truck.

If you or a loved one become injured in a roadway crash caused by a tire blowout on another vehicle, you may have ample cause to file a personal injury claim. You will need to prove, however, that the accident occurred as a result of another party’s negligence. Depending on the various factors related to the accident, you could file a personal injury claim against another driver, the vehicle’s owner or a tire manufacturer.

Determining fault

When drivers or commercial transport companies fail to exercise reasonable care to maintain their vehicles in safe operating condition, they can find themselves held liable for the harm caused. In many cases, a well-performed investigation will determine the primary cause of a roadway crash even if your injuries resulted from a secondary collision such as an attempt to avoid an out-of-control truck.

Depending on the results of an accident investigation that shows a tire blowout served as the primary cause, injured victims may file a personal injury claim against:

• Another driver who failed to properly maintain the vehicle that had the tire blowout
• A trucking company that failed to perform maintenance or inspect one of its commercial vehicles
• A tire manufacturer that produced or sold a defective tire that led to a blowout

The damages you could obtain compensation for include the medical costs related to your recovery, lost income and property damage to your vehicle or its contents. Accident victims may also receive compensation for lost future wages if their injuries leave them disabled.

An injured driver, passenger or pedestrian may also obtain compensation for subjective damages such as pain and suffering or a disability that results in a lessened quality of life. In certain cases that demonstrate another party’s reckless disregard for the safety of others, a civil court may also award punitive damages.

A trucking company may incur liability for injuries related to a tire blowout on one of its vehicles if a proper inspection and follow-up could have prevented the accident. Federal commercial transport regulations require trucking companies to conduct regularly scheduled vehicle inspections. A post-accident investigation could involve an examination of the vehicle, the truck driver’s testimony and a review of the trucking company’s maintenance records.
 
Commercial truck drivers should formally report any vehicle maintenance issues they discover during a post-trip inspection. The inspection report could include finding that the truck’s tires show signs of wear and require replacing. When the trucking company preps the vehicle for its next trip, the assigned driver should conduct a pre-trip inspection and verify that the company addressed all of the items noted in the previous inspection report. If, for example, a reported tire-wear issue was not attended to, the trucking company should not allow the vehicle to go back on the road.
 
A truck driver’s failure to report a safety-related issue, such as dangerous tire wear, or the truck company’s lack of remedial action could prove negligence on the part of the commercial carrier. Accident victims may also sue truck drivers for not reporting vehicle safety issues to their employers, but in most cases suing the trucking company for its employee’s negligence is the option that’s most commonly pursued.
 
In addition to issues of poor maintenance, a trucking company may also incur liability if a tire blowout resulted from overloading the truck. This could reflect an example of placing profits over safety. Trucking companies should not allow their vehicles’ tires to carry loads beyond their manufacturers’ prescribed weight limits. A trucking company might also compel their drivers to adhere to a packed delivery schedule in spite of noticeable wear in a vehicle’s tires. When an accident investigation uncovers a company’s history of disregarding safety issues to increase profits, a court may award punitive damages as a deterrent to further misdeeds.

If you’re injured in a tire blowout accident the most important issue is getting medical attention. You should dial 911 for an emergency response team if needed. You should also get checked by a doctor even if you do not believe your injuries are serious. Certain types of injuries may not display noticeable symptoms until several days after an accident occurs.

If possible, try and obtain the names and contact numbers of all the involved parties at the accident scene. Eyewitnesses could also help to determine the at-fault party. A police report and pictures of the crash will often prove helpful if an accident-reconstruction specialist’s review becomes part of the investigation.

If the blowout that caused the accident occurred on your vehicle, do not discard the damaged tire. What’s left of your exploded tire could help prove liability if the manufacturer produced or sold you a dangerously defective product.

After you see a doctor, contact an experienced tire blowout attorney. Your doctor’s assessment of your injuries will most likely play an important role in obtaining compensation. You should also let your attorney conduct any and all discussions with insurance companies that attempt to contact you.