Tire Defects That Cause Vehicle Accidents

A defective tire can cause a vehicle to suddenly swerve, overturn, or leave the roadway, resulting in a severe accident. In some cases, the problem is how the tire was designed or manufactured.

How Tire Defects Cause Accidents

When a tire suddenly fails, there is little time to react, possibly leading to:

• Blowouts at highway speeds.

• Loss of steering control.

• Vehicle rollovers.

• Lane departure accidents.

• Collisions with other vehicles or roadside objects.

The risk of a severe crash increases when a defective tire fails while traveling at high speeds or carrying heavy loads.

Who May Be Responsible for a Tire Defect Accident?

If a tire fails because of a manufacturing defect, design problem, or another issue that should have been prevented, responsibility may extend beyond another driver to several parties:

• The tire manufacturer if a defect developed during the design or production process.

• A company that supplied defective materials used to manufacture the tire.

• A distributor or retailer that sold a defective tire.

• A repair shop that improperly installed, repaired, or serviced the tire.

• A commercial trucking company or fleet operator that continued using a tire despite signs of a problem.

The cause of a tire failure is not always obvious immediately after an accident. A blowout may appear to be the result of road debris or normal wear when the actual cause is a manufacturing defect hidden inside the tire. Determining who is responsible often requires examining the failed tire, reviewing maintenance records, and looking for evidence of prior complaints, recalls, or similar failures.

Common Tire Defects

Not every tire-related crash is caused by poor maintenance or road hazards. In some cases, the tire itself contains a manufacturing or design defect that increases the risk of failure. Common tire defects include:

• Tread separation, when the outer tread separates from the body of the tire.

• Sidewall defects.

• Bead failures that affect how the tire seals to the wheel.

• Defective materials used during manufacturing.

• Design defects that make the tire more prone to failure.

These problems can develop without warning and may not be visible during routine inspections.

What Compensation May Be Available?

A tire defect accident can result in serious injuries and substantial financial losses. Compensation may include:

• Medical expenses and future treatment costs.

• Lost income during recovery.

• Reduced earning ability.

• Pain and physical limitations.

• Property damage and related expenses.

The value of your claim often depends on the severity of your injuries, the treatment required, long-term disability, loss of quality of life, and the strength of evidence connecting the tire defect to the accident.

How a Lawyer Can Help After a Tire Defect Accident

Tire manufacturers and insurance companies may dispute what caused the accident, failure, or argue that maintenance issues were responsible. A Riverside Car Accident Attorney can help by:

• Preserving the tire and other critical evidence.
• Investigating whether a manufacturing or design defect existed.
• Reviewing recall information and product history.
• Working with experts to analyze the failed tire.
• Handling communication with insurance companies and manufacturers.
• Negotiating a settlement after evaluating the full extent of damages.
• Filing a lawsuit if the claim is not resolved fairly.

A Riverside tire defect accident lawyer takes over the investigation and claim process so you can focus on recovery while the case is handled for you.

Contact Us Today

If you were injured in an accident involving a defective tire, contact Hanson & Mouri at (909) 699-0062 or send us a message online for a free consultation. A trusted Riverside Car Accident Attorney can review the circumstances of the accident and discuss your legal options.