Every driver knows to watch for worn tire treads and to replace tires when they show significant wear and tear, but what about when a tire appears to be in good condition but has a sudden blowout causing a serious accident? Or what if you’re sharing the roadway with a large commercial truck and a blowout occurs, causing you to have an accident from flying tire shrapnel or an out-of-control truck? A tire blowout car accident attorney in Austin is the lawyer with the experience to navigate this unique type of accident claim.
How Common Are Tire Blowout Accidents in Texas?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 562 traffic fatalities were attributed to tire blowouts in 2022, and thousands of injuries. Nearly 33,000 car accidents happen each year due to tire-related problems with an estimated 2,000 caused by blowouts. Tire blowouts are a significant cause of SUV rollover accidents in Texas and elsewhere. One study reveals that 45% of SUVs with tire blowouts rolled over in a crash following the blowout.
Blowouts are especially common in large commercial trucks due to the larger number of wheels and heavy or unbalanced loads. At least 8,000 trucks report blowouts each year, and experts believe that number is underreported. Truck tire blowouts can cause an out-of-control truck, dangerous flying tire shrapnel, or a road hazard by tire pieces left on the road. Talk to a truck accident attorney in Austin today to learn more.
What Types of Accidents do Tire Blowouts Cause?
When a tire suddenly blows out, the car or truck typically leans to the opposite side. The rear end of the vehicle may fishtail back and forth, causing the driver to lose control. Tire blowout accidents cause a variety of accident types ranging from minor fender benders to catastrophic, multi-car pileups depending on the circumstances. Tire blowouts most commonly cause the following types of accidents:
- Roadway departures
- Rollover accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Tire blowout accidents
- Sideswipe accidents
- Accidents to other vehicles due to flying tire pieces (shrapnel) or debris in the road
When a blowout occurs, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, making nearly any type of car accident possible, including single-car accidents, two-car accidents, or multi-car pileups.
Who Is Liable for Damages After a Tire Blowout Accident in Austin?
An accident claim after a tire blowout can quickly become complex, requiring a skilled investigation to determine one or more liable parties. When a blowout causes an accident in Texas, the driver isn’t typically the at-fault party or not the only liable party. Liable parties after a blowout could include any of the following, depending on the circumstances:
- A driver who ignored a damaged or underinflated tire
- A commercial trucking company
- The manufacturer of a defective tire
- A negligent auto repair or commercial truck maintenance company
- A negligent road maintenance agency if road debris or poor road conditions contributed to a blowout
Depending on the results of the investigation after a truck accident, injury victims could recover compensation from one or more at-fault parties held liable for damages under the Texas comparison negligence insurance laws.
How Can a Tire Blowout Accident Lawyer In Austin Help My Case?
Because there could be multiple liable parties in a tire blowout accident claim, a skilled injury lawyer in Austin from Shaw Cowart LLP will investigate the accident, document evidence of all liable parties who contributed to the accident, and make claims for compensation to maximize the amount of compensation you recover for damages like property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact Shaw Cowart LLP in Austin today for skilled legal representation in your Austin tire blowout accident case.