Tire Blowout Car Accident Injuries & Fault Analysis

A blowout happens when there is tread separation on a flat tire that makes the tire quickly lose air pressure, which causes a driver to lose control. This may lead to collisions and rollovers on the road.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are 11,000 tire-related crashes that happen each year. In fact, tire blowouts are some of the top causes of car accidents.

Vehicles such as sport utility vehicles have a high center of gravity making them more likely to lose control after a tire blowout. Trucks and tractor trailers are at a greater risk of tire blowouts because they spend a longer time on the road compared to other types of vehicles.

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Cause of Tire Blowouts

Some causes of tire blowouts such as potholes or small punctures are unpredictable and sometimes unavoidable. You may also experience a tire blowout if you overload your car or drive at high speeds in hot weather.

However, a design flaw or a manufacture defect can also cause tread separation on your car tire. If you are involved in a car tire blowout accident, take a photograph of the damaged tire’s tread immediately. Inspect the tire and if you find any signs of a bare wire surface, then that shows that the tire was not properly cured and can indicate a manufacturing adhesion defect.

The presence of brassy wire or rusty wire on a separated tire also indicates there was no curing and no adhesion of the belt to the surrounding rubber. Rusty wire may also indicate that there was moisture contamination during manufacture.  Taking early photographs will prevent the defense from arguing that any rusting occurred naturally before the accident happened.

Other causes of tire blowouts include:

• Oversized tires
• Under-inflation
• Irregular wear due to mechanical issues

Following a tire blowout, activate your emergency flashers, keep a firm grip of the steering wheel, and gradually slow your car as you pull to the side of the road.

Source: Houston Car Accident Lawyers by dustin807

Liability for Tire blowout Crash?

In most cases, it is incredibly difficult to determine who is liable for a tire blowout accident. Only when the accident results in serious injury or death can you have significant recourse against tire manufacturers.

Additionally, in such cases you can be held legally liable for the accident if you had failed to inspect your vehicle to ensure it is safe to drive. You can be held liable if you failed to repair your car if you did know about the tire defect.  Another thing that may be considered in court is whether your reaction to the tire blowout was reasonable. For example, slamming on your breaks or sharply turning the steering wheel following the blowout may be considered unreasonable.

In a nutshell, you are responsible for your actions as a driver and also for the condition of your car.  So remember to drive the speed limit and maintain a safe distance from the other cars on the road. This will allow you to safely navigate a blown tire and avoid a car accident.