Most drivers don’t think about their tires unless they get punctured or a symbol on their dashboard indicates something is seriously wrong with them. However, proper tire maintenance and inflation is something that, if every driver were diligent about, would save hundreds of lives and millions of dollars of damages each year. Blown tires can cause cars to careen out of control, causing massive pileups in areas with lots of vehicles crowded into a small space. A blown tire that causes an accident can stem from inadequate maintenance and care, a manufacturer, a repair shop, or more. Establishing liability can therefore be a long and tedious process. If you were injured in an accident due to tire failure, here is the information you need.
Accidents Caused By Tire Failures
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a division of the United States Department of Transportation, puts out reports detailing the devastating effects of tire failures and the subsequent accidents that stem from them. In 2020, the year with the most recent data, 664 deaths were directly attributed to crashes caused by tire-related issues. What are some of the events that can lead up to a tire failing and causing a deadly accident?
The most common form of negligence that directly leads to tire failures is by professionals in the car repair line of work. A driver can be liable for accidents caused by poor car maintenance if they neglect to take their car in for needed repairs. Still, once a driver brings a vehicle into a shop, they trust that the advice and repairs they receive will be sufficient for their car to once again be in working order. Automotive repairmen can incorrectly install or rotate tires leading to quick tire degradation and eventual blowouts. They can also be liable if they fail to notice glaring issues or fail to report this to the customer.
Road conditions can also cause tires to pop and blow. Debris on the road or poor asphalt maintenance can place blame on local officials or construction crews that were responsible for the upkeep of the area. Any other sort of debris, such as something that falls off the back of a truck, can also cause tire problems. If a driver can not reasonably dodge or maneuver around the obstacle, the truck driver or company responsible for the debris can be to blame.
Compensation From Blown Tire Accidents
Identifying who is liable in accidents involving blown tires can be difficult because of the many layers of the issue. If you are driving down the road and get struck by a driver who veered way out of their line, on video, in front of other witnesses – you have nothing to worry about in terms of liability. However, the process can drag on for a long while if the cause of the accident is a blown tire that led to the car malfunctioning. Will your insurance have to deal with the vehicle’s driver, a vehicle repair shop, a manufacturer of tires, or a local municipality…will any of these parties be ready and eager to pay?
Proving liability in tire blowouts is complex and requires an experienced personal injury and car accident attorney. Accident victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, loss of earnings and potential earnings, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and more.
If you were driving a car and experienced a blowout, or if you were hit by someone whose tire blew out, you may need personal injury representation. Probinsky & Cole have experienced car accident attorneys and personal injury lawyers, and we are here to help you sort out the details of your accident.
