June is National Tire Safety Month, an annual opportunity for Americans to check their tires before summer trips, ensuring they are safe for the road. Properly checking and inflating the tires on your vehicle is essential to help make your tires last longer, save you money, and protect you and your family on the road. Many motorists are seriously injured or killed each year because of a blown tire – either on their own vehicle or when a neighboring vehicle experiences a blown tire. This is especially troublesome with overcrowded roads full of tourists, snowbirds, and residents. When an accident occurs, it is necessary to determine who is at fault and if there has been any negligence – and this is true with a defective tire as well. Manufacturers may be at fault for a defective tire, a repair shop may be liable due to improper rotation, a motorist may be responsible for deferred maintenance – or another motorist may be at fault if debris is on the road.
Even with vehicles and tires that are properly maintained, blowouts can occur – with devastating effects to other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or bicyclists. Police and insurance companies must investigate these incidents to determine what caused the tire failure.
Fast Fact: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that according to the latest statistics (2019) 612 people died in tire-related accidents. These accidents were due to several causes:
- Negligence regarding maintenance: Most automotive repair people are professionals and do great work, but it is possible that they may incorrectly install or rotate tires which can lead to a blown tire. When tires blow out because of the negligent actions of a mechanic (improper installation or improper inflation), they may be held liable. A mechanic may also be found liable if they notice wear or damage on a tire and do not inform the vehicle owner of potential danger.
- Poor road maintenance: If a motorist cannot avoid hazardous road conditions, the city/state/municipality responsible for maintenance may share the responsibility for the accident.
- Road debris from other vehicles: If a car or truck cannot avoid dangerous objects that have fallen from other vehicles, the driver of the other vehicle may share liability for the blown tire. All vehicles (commercial and private) are responsible for ensuring that their vehicles are secure and not causing hazardous conditions.
Do You Deserve Compensation?
Florida drivers are expected to operate their vehicles in a reasonably prudent way, maintain their vehicles, and perform routine tire maintenance to avoid accidents. Proving liability in tire blowouts is complex and requires an experienced personal injury and car accident attorney. Accident victims may be entitled to receive compensation for medical expenses, prescription medications, loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of companionship, consortium, and enjoyment of life.
Accidents are scary, and in the aftermath of a serious car crash, you may be confused about where to turn. 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.
