According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire-related crashes are responsible for about 78,000 injuries annually in the United States. They’re also responsible for roughly 738 fatalities.

Have you been involved in a tire blowout accident that meets New York’s serious injury threshold?

If so, you might have a lot of questions. These aren’t normal accidents.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What is a tire blowout, and what causes it?

A tire blowout is any incident where a tire suddenly bursts or deflates while the vehicle is in motion.

As you can imagine, a tire blowout event can quickly cause a driver to lose control of a vehicle.

The blowout itself may be caused by any number of factors. Overinflation is one big culprit. So is vehicle overload. We’ve also seen cases where the tire comes into contact with a pothole, road debris, or other road hazards. Extreme heat can also cause blowouts.

Older tires are more prone to blowout than newer tires.

We’ve also seen cases where tire manufacturing defects have been the source of the blowout.

Are there other types of tire accidents?

Yes. Tread separation and underinflation can also cause accidents.

Stay safe on the road by conducting regular maintenance on your tires. The Rubber Manufacturer’s Association (RMA) found that one in four vehicles on the road has at least one significantly underinflated tire.

Check them often, replace them if necessary, and top off the air when necessary!

Who is liable for a tire blowout accident?

It depends.

If improper maintenance caused the tire blowout, then the driver of the vehicle could be liable. We’d look at manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedules and determine whether the driver followed them. Accident reconstructionists may also be able to tell if the tire was overinflated or if the day’s heat played a role in the accident.

If the problem was a manufacturer’s defect, then the tire manufacturer would be liable.

The New York Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) may be liable in cases where potholes or road debris caused the problem if we can prove that they did not meet their duty of care regarding road maintenance.

Much will depend on the facts of your specific case. Our office will help you determine who might be liable in your specific case so we can hold them accountable.

How can I prove that a tire blowout caused my accident?

Start by gathering evidence at the scene of the accident if you can. Take a picture of the tire, the accident scene, debris, and skid marks.

We can also have professionals inspect your tire after the accident. This can help determine why the tire blew, which in turn can help us determine where the liability might lie.

Examine your maintenance records. If you can prove you were following recommended maintenance schedules, you can help reduce the likelihood that you could be held liable for your own errors.

Do I need an attorney for a tire blowout accident case?

You need an attorney whenever an accident results in a serious injury, especially if you know the accident was due to someone else’s negligence.

Don’t wait. You can call us on the day of the accident if you want to, and we’ll be happy to review your case.