Defective tires may cause tire blowouts, which are sudden and unexpected tire failures. When a tire blowout occurs while the car is moving, the driver can lose control, resulting in collisions with other vehicles, objects, or even rollovers.
If you were injured in a tire blowout car accident due to a faulty tire, our St. Louis defective tire car accident lawyers want to help you pursue compensation. You won’t pay us anything unless we recover money for you.
Contact the Sumner Law Group, LLC, for a free consultation now.
How Our Defective Tire Attorneys Serving St. Louis Can Help You
Sumner Law Group, LLC, has over 50 years of combined experience in standing up for the rights of injured accident victims in St. Louis and throughout Missouri. We have helped recover millions of dollars in compensation using our skills as litigators and negotiators.
Our personal injury attorneys have the resources to investigate the accident that injured you, identify all potentially liable parties, and negotiate for a settlement that fairly compensates you for an accident caused by defective tires. The Sumner Law Group, LLC, can represent you before a judge or jury if the other side refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer.
What Causes Tire Blowouts in St. Louis?
Defective tires cause approximately 11,000 crashes yearly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A few common reasons why tire blowouts happen include these examples:
- Design or manufacturing defects – Some tires are defective by design. That means the tire’s design makes it prone to causing a blowout, even when manufactured correctly. Every tire made according to the blueprint will have the same defect. In other cases, the underlying design might be acceptable, but something happened during the manufacturing process to make the individual tire flawed and more likely to blow out.
- Tire wear and tear – Over time, tires can become worn out and lose their grip on the road. When the tire’s tread wears down, it becomes weaker and more prone to blowouts.
- Overloading – A vehicle carrying too much weight or cargo can put excessive pressure on the tires. This additional strain can weaken the tire structure, making it more likely to fail and cause a blowout.
- Underinflation or overinflation – If the tires are underinflated (not enough air pressure) or overinflated (too much air pressure), it can affect their performance and increase the risk of blowouts.
- Potholes and road hazards – Driving over potholes, debris, or sharp objects on the road can damage the tire’s structure. These hazards can create cuts, punctures, or bulges in the tire, making it more susceptible to a blowout.
What Types of Accidents Result from Tire Blowouts?
Blowouts from defective tires, especially at high speeds, can have catastrophic results. Here are some types of accidents caused by tire blowouts:
- Loss of control – When a tire suddenly bursts or loses air pressure, it can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The car may swerve or veer unexpectedly, leading to a potential collision with other vehicles, objects, or even pedestrians.
- Rollover accidents – The sudden loss of tire pressure can destabilize the vehicle, causing it to tip or roll over, resulting in significant damage and injuries.
- Collisions – A tire blowout can make it challenging for the driver to maintain control of the vehicle, increasing the likelihood of rear-end collisions, side-impact crashes, or head-on collisions if the driver veers into oncoming traffic.
- Run-off-road accidents – The driver may struggle to steer the vehicle with a flat tire. This can lead to the car running off the road and potentially hitting roadside barriers, trees, ditches, or other obstacles.
- Chain-reaction accidents – A tire blowout can trigger a chain-reaction crash in crowded road conditions. When a driver loses control due to a blowout, nearby vehicles may need to take evasive action, leading to subsequent collisions as drivers try to avoid the initial crash.
Potential Injuries in a St. Louis Tire Defect Accident
The specific injuries and their severity depend on crash factors such as the vehicle’s speed, the angle of impact, the use of seatbelts and airbags, and other circumstances surrounding the accident. Some potential injuries resulting from a tire defect accident include:
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Fractures and broken bones
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Injuries to the chest or abdomen
- Internal bleeding
- Joint dislocations
- Burns
- Cuts and lacerations
- Contusions and bruises
It’s essential to seek immediate medical attention in the event of a tire blowout accident to assess and treat any injuries.
Liability for a Tire Blowout Car Crash
Depending on the specific circumstances of the tire blowout accident, these parties could be held liable:
- Tire manufacturer – If a defective tire caused the blowout, the manufacturer could potentially be liable for producing a faulty product. This could include defects in design, manufacturing, or warnings about the safe use of the tire. It is possible that the manufacturer must issue a general recall for defective tires.
- Tire retailer or installer – Improperly installed tires can bring legal consequences for the tire retailer or installer.
- Maintenance or repair shop – If the blowout resulted from negligence during maintenance or repair work on the tires, you could hold the shop responsible for medical bills and other losses.
- Driver – The driver of the vehicle may be liable if they were negligent in maintaining the tires, such as by driving on worn-out or underinflated tires or failing to react correctly to a blowout.
- Vehicle owner – If someone other than the driver owns the vehicle, such as a rental company or employer, they may be liable for negligent maintenance or failure to replace worn-out tires.
What to Do If You Have Experienced a Tire Blowout in St. Louis
If you are involved in an accident involving a tire blowout, your priority is safety. Depending on whether you experience the blowout or you are struck by a car with a blowout, here are some guidelines:
- Stay calm and maintain control of your car.
- Pull over and call 911.
- Get immediate medical treatment.
- Take pictures of the tire, debris, damage, and injuries.
- Call our attorneys.
Contact Our St. Louis Tire Blowout Accident Lawyers
A St. Louis tire blowout accident lawyer with Sumner Law Group, LLC, can help you pursue money to pay for your injuries and other losses by handling all the legal details so you can focus on your health. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Contact Sumner Law Group, LLC, for a free consultation today.
