If a tire blows out on a car that is traveling on a road or highway, the driver could lose control and crash into another vehicle, a guardrail, a divider, or a building. If a collision caused by a tire blowout injured you, you might have suffered serious injuries, such as whiplash, head trauma, broken bones, and severe cuts.
Whether you were struck by an out-of-control vehicle or lost control of your car when your tire blew out, you may have suffered and had to be transported to a hospital in an ambulance to receive emergency care or surgery for your injuries. The costs for medical treatments related to the accident may be adding up quickly, as you receive ongoing care in a rehabilitation facility or from a chiropractor or a physical therapist during regular visits.
You might also be unable to work for months because of your injuries, or you may never be able to go back to work because of the damages you suffered. You may be feeling overwhelmed and struggling to figure out what to do.
If you are interested in taking legal action against the party or parties responsible for the crash, a tire blowout accident lawyer might be able to help. Ben Crump Law, PLLC, could file a personal injury lawsuit against those liable in the accident and recover compensation for you that may give you peace of mind.
You may be entitled to financial awards that could cover past and future medical care costs and the income you have lost so far. It also could compensate you for diminished earning capacity because you cannot return to work, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other damages. Call our office at (844) 730-0233 today to discuss your case during a free consultation.
Why Tire Blowout Accidents Happen and Who Could Be Liable
Various situations and factors could contribute to a tire blowout. Below are a few scenarios that explain how tire blowouts can happen and who could be held liable when they do.
Tire Pressure
If you were injured in an accident that occurred after another vehicle’s tire blew out, the driver may be liable. Tires must be inflated to their recommended pressure. Tires that are over- or underinflated can also blow out and cause a crash. Drivers should check their tire pressure regularly. An undetected, slow leak can eventually lead to a blowout. If a tire on the other vehicle blew out because the driver neglected to conduct routine maintenance, the person could be held responsible for the crash.
Tire Weight
The weight that tires can safely carry depends on the model of the vehicle. If the person driving the other vehicle was transporting more weight than the tires could handle, that individual could be found liable for the collision.
Debris in the road, such as a sharp stone, a nail, or broken glass, may have punctured a tire on the other vehicle or on your car. The driver may not have realized a damaged tire until it blew out.
Debris, Sharp Objects on the Road
If one or more objects fell out of a vehicle and caused damage to another car’s tire, the driver of the vehicle that lost its cargo may be held liable. For instance, if construction supplies, such as nails and screws, fell off the back of a truck, the driver of the truck may be found liable for a tire blowout in another vehicle.
If a truck was hauling a piece of furniture or machinery and the object fell onto the road and was damaged, and another driver’s tire blew out after it ran over a sharp piece of debris, the truck driver could be held responsible.
Physical Condition of the Road
The road’s condition can also cause a tire to blow out. A pothole can damage a tire and cause a blowout, either soon after or later. If a local government was aware of a pothole but did not repair it or mark the area to warn drivers of its danger, the municipal government may be found liable.
Design or Production Flaws
A design flaw or a manufacturing defect in a tire may have caused it to blow out. If the tire was poorly designed or was damaged at some point in the manufacturing process, the company that produced the tire may be held responsible for a blowout collision.
No matter the reason for the tire blowout, Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can review the details of your case and learn about your concerns. Give us a call today about legal recourse that could be available to you.
How a Lawyer Could Help You
A tire blowout accident lawyer can investigate and help establish who was responsible for the crash. Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can review documents, such as the police report and statements from you, the other driver, and witnesses, and any other materials that could help build your case.
We could review vehicle maintenance and repair records to find out if the other driver properly cared for the tires. If road debris was a factor, we could work to identify its source. We also could investigate to find out if the type of tire in question was the subject of a recall due to a manufacturing defect or a design flaw.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tires and other motor vehicle components can be recalled if they do not comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) standards or contain a safety-related defect.
If another person or company, such as one that made the tires, was liable for the accident, we might file a personal injury lawsuit against that individual or entity. If a pothole or other road damage caused the tire blowout, we could look into filing a lawsuit against a local government unless it is protected by immunity.
Work with a Tire Blowout Accident Lawyer Today
If you were hurt in a crash that happened when a tire on another vehicle blew out, you might be able to recover compensation. You may also be entitled to a financial award if a tire on your own car blew out because of a design flaw, a manufacturing defect, or a hazardous situation that was caused by someone else’s negligence.
You also may have a right to compensation, even if you share some responsibility for the crash. For example, suppose another driver’s tire blew out, and you were unable to stop in time to avoid a collision because you were driving over the speed limit. In that case, your state’s comparative negligence law may allow you to recover a reduced award to account for your amount of liability for the collision.
If you are interested in filing legal action in your tire blowout case, Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can navigate you through the process of filing for compensation and answer questions you have. We can also explain any complex legal terms to you and help you file all the necessary paperwork. Having an attorney by your side allows you to focus on healing from your injuries while they take care of the legal work.
Your state’s statute of limitations restricts how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit, but we can ensure you file your lawsuit by the deadline.
If we represent you, we work on a contingency-fee-basis, which means we receive payment only if we secure a financial award for you. Call our office at (844) 730-0233 today for a free case evaluation.
