Multiple factors determine liability for tire blowout accidents. Some people blame nature, drivers, manufacturers, or road maintenance contractors. As the victim of a tire blowout accident, the person whose negligence caused the blowout should compensate your damages. For example, you can use the following negligent acts to prove a motorist’s liability.
Overloading the Car
A tire’s load index indicates the maximum weight it can carry. Whenever you replace tires, ensure they support your vehicle’s maximum load rating. After that, ensure you don’t overload your vehicle. Otherwise, the load might accelerate the tires’ wear and tear and cause a blowout. If the blowout causes a crash, the motorist who overloaded the car will be liable for the accident.
Improperly Inflating Tires
Underinflating or overinflating tires are both dangerous. Underinflating tires deforms them, and deformed tires can collapse, lose air, and blow out. On the other hand, overinflating tires can exceed their pressure limit, causing them to burst. Each driver is responsible for checking tire pressure for correct inflation, and anyone who fails to do that is liable for subsequent accidents.
Using Bald Tires
Tire wear increases the risk of accidents in several ways. For example:
- Tire grooves provide space for airflow and help cool the tires. Bald tires lack grooves and suffer overheating, which can cause tire failure.
- Worn tires have a thin material that sharp objects can easily puncture, leading to a blowout.
- Worn tires increase air leakage risk, and air leaks can collapse tires and cause blowouts.
Motorists should inspect their tires and replace them when necessary. Any motorist who fails to do that is liable for the accidents the bald tires might cause.
Using Expired Tires
Car tires do not last forever. According to caranddriver.com, tires last between six and ten years. Tire rubber comprises different compounds that deteriorate over time. After some years, the deterioration causes tires to lose their flexibility. The deterioration is dangerous since hardened tires are more likely to burst than flexible tires.
Using Damaged Tires
Tires suffer damage all the time. Hitting potholes, hitting curbs, and puncturing by sharp objects are all causes of tire damage. Damage extent determines whether you can continue using a tire or must repair or replace it. For example, curb rash can separate the tire from the wheel. A driver who knows or should know about tire damage is liable for the accident the damage might cause.
Improperly Repairing Tires
You do not have to replace tires every time they suffer damage; you can repair some damages. However, you must use appropriate repair methods. Ideally, you should let a professional auto mechanic repair damaged tires. Otherwise, improper repair might cause the tire to fail at a dangerous time, causing an accident.
Consider the popular puncture repair method where you insert a plug into the puncture, remove the insertion tool, and leave the plug in place. This method may work for some time but doesn’t make an airtight seal. Air and moisture can still enter the tire via the puncture, seep between the tire layers, and accelerate its deterioration.
Speeding on Damaged Roads
Lastly, a motorist can also cause sudden tire damage by speeding on damaged or defective roads. For example, speeding on a road with potholes means you are unlikely to avoid the potholes. In addition, you will hit the potholes at high speed.
Such high impact can distort the rims and allow air leakage. The impact can also cause a blowout, causing you to lose control of the car and hit other motorists.
Contact Frenkel & Frenkel if you are the victim of a tire blowout accident. Remember, the court will not just take your word as proof of the motorist’s liability—you must provide relevant proof. We can help you prove liability and damages to get your deserved compensation.
