Tire blowouts are one of the leading causes of vehicle accidents, and they can happen to anyone at any time. When a tire blows out, it can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, leading to a potentially dangerous or even fatal accident.
The law firm of Penn Kestner & McEwen has a great deal of experience helping people injured in accidents caused by a tire blowout. If you would like to learn more about what we can do for you, please call us at (800) 732-3070 or use our online contact form to schedule a free evaluation of your case.
What is a Tire Blowout?
Tires blow out when they experience a sudden loss of air pressure and explode. This can obviously be dangerous when it happens to any vehicle, but it’s especially dangerous when it happens on a huge commercial truck.
Tire Blowout Statistics
Approximately 33,000 tire-related vehicle accidents occur each year on average, leading to nearly 20,000 injuries. In 2020, accidents attributed to tire failure caused more than 600 fatalities.
Common Causes of Semi-Truck Tire Blowouts
Semi-trucks are particularly susceptible to tire blowouts due to the size and weight of the vehicles. Common causes of semi-truck tire blowouts include:
- Overloading: Companies will sometimes negligently load semi-trucks, putting far too much stress on tires and increasing the risk of a blowout.
- Poor maintenance: Trucking companies often fail to maintain tires as they should, placing profits over safety. When a tire fails due to this failure, victims and their families can sue the trucking company.
- Underinflation: Tires that don’t have enough air go through great stress, making the chances of a blowout much more likely.
- Overinflation: The opposite is true as well. When a tire has too much air, it could easily fail.
- Potholes: Commercial trucks weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. If they hit a deep pothole at a high rate of speed, that could cause multiple tires to explode.
- Road debris: When a semi-truck hits road debris, such as nails or glass, it can cause severe damage to the tire, leading to a blowout.
Injuries Caused by Tire Blowouts
A tire blowout can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, leading to a potentially dangerous or even fatal accident. Injuries caused by blowouts can include:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Death
Who’s Liable for an Accident Caused by Tire Blowouts?
Liability can be a complex issue when a tire blowout causes an accident. Liability can depend on a variety of factors, including the following:
- The cause of the blowout: If the blowout occurred due to poor maintenance or overloading, the trucking company could face liability.
- The driver’s actions: The driver of the other vehicle could be liable if they were speeding or driving recklessly.
- Third-party liability: If a third party caused the blowout, such as a manufacturer defect or a negligent repair shop, that party might be liable.
Determining liability in a tire blowout accident can be complicated, and it’s essential to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to evaluate your case.
How to File a Lawsuit Against a Third Party
If a third party, such as a manufacturer or repair shop, is responsible for the tire blowout, you may be able to file a lawsuit against them to recover damages. To file a lawsuit, you will need to:
- Consult with an attorney: An attorney can evaluate your case and advise you on the best course of action.
- Gather evidence: Your lawyer will investigate the accident to gather evidence to support your case, including police reports, witness statements, and any documentation related to the tire and vehicle maintenance.
- File a complaint: They’ll then file a complaint with the court, outlining the details of the accident and the damages you are seeking.
- Go through the discovery process: The discovery process is where both sides exchange information and evidence related to the case.
- Attend mediation or settlement conferences: If both sides are willing, you may be able to settle the case outside of court.
- Go to trial: If your attorney and the defendant’s insurance company can’t settle, the case will go to trial, and a jury will decide the outcome.
Recovering Your Damages After a Tire Blowout Accident
If you are involved in a tire blowout accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages, such as:
- Medical expenses: You may be able to recover the cost of your medical expenses related to the accident.
- Lost wages: If you can’t work due to your injuries, you may be able to recover the wages you lost.
- Pain and suffering: You may be able to obtain compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced due to the accident.
- Property damage: You may also be eligible for money to cover the cost of repairs or replacement.
- Wrongful death: If a loved one was killed in a tire blowout accident, you might be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf.
If you’ve been involved in a tire blowout accident, it’s essential to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to evaluate your case and determine your options for recovering damages. Hiring a skilled lawyer will provide you with the best possible opportunity to earn the compensation you deserve.
Contact Penn Kestner & McEwen
The attorneys with Penn Kestner & McEwen have a long track record of success representing clients injured in accidents caused by defective tires. If you choose our law firm, we’ll investigate the accident and determine whether a defect caused the accident or if there are other liable parties to blame. These could include negligent motorists, truck drivers, and others.
You must hire a lawyer as soon as possible to begin the investigation. If you wait too long, critical evidence could disappear for good. Please don’t let that happen.
If you would like to schedule a free case review, don’t hesitate to call (800) 732-3070 or contact us online. We’ll be ready to put our knowledge and experience to work for you.
