Tire Blowout Accident Attorney in STL

When you or someone you love has been the victim of a tire blowout accident, resulting in severe injuries and lost work and wages because of those injuries, you need a St. Louis car accident lawyer to protect your interests. At The Dixon Injury Firm, our tire blowout accident lawyers in St. Louis are prepared to see to it that you and your family are provided for during this trying time. Whether you need financial assistance because of loss of work, medical bills, or to pay for the costs of recovery, we are here to help.

To learn more, give our St. Louis tire blowout accident lawyers a call at (314) 208-2808 or CONTACT us online to schedule a free initial consultation.

About Tire Blowout Accidents

Tire blowouts occur frequently on U.S. highways. In fact, they are one of the leading causes of car accidents and injuries in the United States. Every year, tire blowouts cause an estimated 535 deaths and 23,000 accidents.

A tire blowout occurs when the tire suddenly loses air pressure. This sudden change of tire pressure causes often causes the driver to lose control of the vehicle. It is difficult to combat because preparing for this type of accident is virtually impossible. The car may jerk one direction with one type of blowout but another direction in another type of blowout. When drivers lose control, it can cause serious damage to the vehicle, its passengers, and other objects or vehicles around it.

NOTE: In any tire blowout case, it is extremely important that the tire and vehicle are preserved for inspection. Insurance companies are often quick in their attempts to take possession of the tire and vehicle before a proper inspection can occur by an expert. If an injury victim allows this to happen, it can be extremely difficult for their lawyer to later determine the exact cause of the crash. Insurance companies then have the upper hand in denying liability. Make sure to take advantage of a FREE Legal Consultation before allowing an insurance company to take possession of the tire.

Tire Blowout Causes

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a vast majority of tire blowout accidents are one-vehicle accidents. Those cases are usually due in large part to poor tire design or other virtually undetectable tire problems.

Tire blowouts can be caused by a wide range of factors, including:

  • Mismatched tires
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Under-inflation
  • Overloading
  • Tire aging (when the tire sits in a warehouse without use for several years)
  • Manufacturing or design defects (including side wall failure)
  • Low tire pressure
  • Tire punctures
  • Hitting a curb, object, or other road hazard
  • Mechanical malfunctions
  • High heat

Tire Defects

Occasionally, tire blowouts are caused by tire separation. The tire can be weak in several areas, but tread separation and rim separation are among the most common defects.

Rim Separation

When the tire separates from the rim, it will usually cause damage before it is even driven upon. Often, the tire will explode as it is being filled, harming whoever is inflating the tire and any onlookers.

Tread Separation

This is more likely to occur while you are driving. This dangerous condition can cause serious problems, even forcing the car to roll over suddenly if the vehicle is traveling at higher speeds. SUVs are more likely to roll over than regular passenger cars, and they are generally harder to control after a blowout.

Tread separation is far more likely to occur in large trucks. Large commercial vehicles may retread their tires instead of completely replacing them because it is cheaper. However, this reconditioned tire may not be as stable as a new tire.

Other causes of tread separation may include:

  • Incorrect flat tire repair
  • Old or worn tires (passenger or otherwise)
  • Over-inflation
  • Manufacturer’s defect
  • Careless driving habits (hitting potholes, curbs, etc.)

Glue Adhesion Failure

Glue adhesion failure can cause tire separation as well. In fact, it is generally the most common tire defect. The glue that holds the tire’s vital components becomes ineffective either because of age or because the glue was poorly made. If moisture or other substances get into the glue during the manufacturing process, then it can easily become less effective.

Tire companies have had trouble with poorly created glue for years, but many companies have not done anything to correct the problem. In fact, Goodyear was actually sanctioned by a federal court in 2013 for failing to produce the negative results of their tire safety test during litigation.

Glue adhesion failure often occurs at high speeds and high temperatures, making a crash especially deadly. The Goodyear G159 tire was one of the first designs that gained national attention for its glue failure.

Inflation Problems

One of the most common reasons that a tire blowout occurs is because the tire is under-inflated. The tire cannot work properly without adequate air pressure. The fabric, steel, rubber, and composites will end up flexing much further than designed, causing overheating and breakage.

When you get new tires or have them rotated or repaired, check to be sure that your maintenance crew properly inflated your tires. Under-inflation and over-inflation can both cause serious problems. If a mechanic or other tire facility fails to properly fill your tires, they may be liable for your tire blowout and any related damages.

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Common Tire Blowout Injuries

Because tire blowouts often result in the complete loss of control of a vehicle, the injuries involved can be very serious and even life-threatening in some situations. Drivers often react poorly to tire blowouts, increasing their likelihood of experiencing an injury.

Tire blowouts that occur at high speeds are especially prone to serious injuries, including, but not limited to:

  • Whiplash and other neck injuries
  • Back and spinal cord injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Wrist and hand injuries
  • Facial injuries, including lacerations
  • Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries

Reacting to Tire Blowouts

Although it is difficult to predict how to effectively handle a tire blowout, the National Safety Commission has a few recommendations on how drivers should react to avoid serious injuries:

  • Take your foot off of the accelerator
  • Do not apply the brakes suddenly
  • Concentrate on steering the vehicle in the desired direction
  • Slow the car’s speed gradually
  • Apply the brakes slowly
  • Steer the car off the road and out of harm’s way

These directions may not work every time, but they will hopefully minimize the damages associated with a tire blowout. Moving the vehicle out of traffic is the most important goal for drivers who have a tire blowout.

How Can The Dixon Injury Firm Help?

A tire blowout can be caused by more than one factor, and sometimes the actual cause is difficult to recognize. An experienced St. Louis personal injury attorney can help you determine the actual cause of the blowout and whether you have a valid personal injury claim.

If someone hits you because they lost control of the vehicle due to a blowout, the liability analysis can be even more difficult. Don’t fight the insurance company or tire manufacturer on your own.

The Dixon Injury Firm
9666 Olive Blvd #202,
St. Louis, MO 63132
Phone:(314) 208-2808