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Every observant driver has witnessed the aftermath of tire blowouts along a highway. When observing large rubber debris on the road, drivers may wonder how these blowouts happen. When tires weaken over time or there is an unexpected event, they rapidly peel away from the wheel. This leaves the vehicle temporarily unstable, especially at high speeds. It also creates a setting for a dangerous or fatal car accident.
Though some tire blowouts fall under the category of being accidents and not anyone’s fault, other accidents may be blamed on a negligent party. In other words, the situation can be fairly complex.
Who is Liable for a Tire Blowout?
It might seem as if tire blowouts happen without warning, which would mean no one is at fault. The truth is that some do happen spontaneously, but some do not.
For example, if a driver does not maintain a vehicle properly, the blowout could be the driver’s fault. After all, it was likely to occur eventually if a tire has not been maintained. In that case, the driver might be sued by passengers or other injured drivers. At the very least, the driver’s insurance coverage might not pay for repairs or bills after an investigation.
A driver could also be held responsible for a tire blowout wreck if the driver did not follow the rules of the road. Speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving can all lead to a tire blowout disaster.
Who else could be liable for a tire blowout accident? Perhaps a trucker did not properly secure items on a commercial big rig. If objects fell from the truck and caused the blowout, the truck driver could be blamed for the accident occurring.
Even tire manufacturers may be culpable after a tire blowout. Many manufacturers issue regular recalls of auto defects. If the tire that blew out proved to have underlying defects, whether known or unknown, the manufacturer might be forced by a court to pay damages to someone injured in a crash.
These hypotheticals show how complicated it can be to prove fault. Additionally, Virginia follows the rule of contributory negligence, which means that to win a personal injury court award, a plaintiff must be zero percent at fault. In other words, the driver must prove their innocence.
Best Practices to Avoid Tire Blowouts
Ultimately, drivers want to avoid stressful and potentially dangerous tire blowouts. The best way to reduce tire blowout incidents includes properly caring for tires. Simply checking tire pressure on a semi-weekly or monthly basis helps pinpoint slow leaks. Additionally, motorists should only purchase quality tires as replacements.
Driving defensively and steadily also provides a layer of protection against blowouts. The more distance a driver leaves between vehicles, the more effectively the driver can swerve safely out of the way of fallen items.
Virginia Beach Car Crash Lawyers Know How to Handle Cases Involving Tire Blowouts
Were you hurt in an accident involving a tire blowout? If so, it is important to contact one of our experienced Virginia Beach car crash lawyers to discuss your options. At East Coast Trial Lawyers, we will evaluate your case and help you to obtain all entitled compensation. Tire blowouts are preventable, but they can still happen. Fortunately, you may be entitled to damages if your accident was caused by a negligent driver. Contact us online or call us at 757-352-2237 to schedule a free consultation about your case. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, we serve clients in Chesapeake, Eastern Shores, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk, Virginia, as well as North Carolina and nationwide.
