Who is at Fault for a Summer Tire Blowout Accident in Michigan?

There are a few reasons why tire blowouts happen, and when you combine one or more of those reasons with the summer heat, blowouts are much more likely to happen. That is why May to October has become known as blowout season.

Below, we discuss how summer heat contributes to tire blowouts, other causes of tire blowouts and liability when a tire blowout leads to a crash. We also explain some steps you can take to reduce the risk of a blowout and how to react if one of your tires blows out.

The licensed Clare car accident attorneys at Jay Trucks and Associates are prepared to help you seek full compensation for damages from a crash. We take car crash cases on contingency, so there are no upfront fees with our services. We have obtained $500 million for our clients and are ready to aggressively advocate for maximum compensation on your behalf.

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How the Summer Heat Contributes to Tire Blowouts

As a tire gets hotter, pressure builds up within it. This increased in air pressure could increase the likelihood of a blowout. That is why your vehicle owner’s manual tells you to avoid overinflating your tires. Overinflated tires combined with summer heat and hot roads can make tire blowouts much more likely.

It is important to note hot weather can significantly increase the risk of a semi-truck tire blowing out. These tires are bearing much more weight than tires on smaller passenger vehicles.

When you combine the summer heat with other factors, the risk of a blowout can dramatically increase. For instance, old tires with less tread depth are more likely to puncture and burst open.

Damage to the sides of your tires or unrepaired punctures caused by nails or screws can also make tires less structurally sound. Summer heat could push things over the edge and lead to a blowout.

What You Should Know About Fault for Tire Blowout Crashes

If you get into a crash with a vehicle that had a tire blowout, the driver of that vehicle is often the one at fault for the crash. There are many reasons for this, such as if the driver overinflated or underinflated the tire that blew out. He or she may also have been driving around for awhile with an old or worn tire.

As a driver, you have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to avoid a crash when you get behind the wheel. One reasonable step is the expectation that you maintain your vehicle so it can be operated safely. This includes maintaining your tires and replacing them when they get too worn down or get punctured.

The driver of the car that suffered the blowout may argue that he or she could not control the vehicle after the blowout occurred. While this is likely true, as a blowout can make a vehicle much harder to control. However, the driver can still be at fault for not taking steps to prevent the blowout from occurring.

Another way a driver could be held liable for a tire blowout crash is if he or she was driving with an underinflated tire. When you driver your car with an underinflated tire, the tire sidewalls take on more weight from the vehicle. This damages the sidewall, eventually causing the rubber to break down. When you combine a deteriorating tire with heat or other risk factors, the risk of a blowout is significantly increased.

Overloading a vehicle is another dangerous factor that can lead to a tire blowout. The extra weight adds significant strain on the sidewalls of the tires.

Another factor to consider is how the collision occurred. Did you have a chance to avoid the collision, such as by slowing down or swerving into another lane that was empty? If the answer is yes, you may be at least partially to blame for the accident. While it could be argued the crash would not have occurred without the blowout, it could also be argued you had a chance to act to avoid a collision.

If you were engaged in some form of recklessness when the crash occurred, you may be partially to blame. For example, if you were driving while distracted you may have been unable to avoid a collision.

While it is rarer than tire blowouts caused by old tires and/or driver negligence, sometimes tires have a defective design. If the defective design can be linked to a blowout, the manufacturer or designer of the tire may be at fault for the crash. For example, the design may have made tread separation more likely to occur.

Lowering the Risk of a Tire Blowout Crash

Regular maintenance of your vehicle is one of the most important steps you can take to reduce the risk of a tire blowout crash. That means keeping an eye on tire pressure – many vehicles now have sensors letting you know when one of your tires is underinflated. If you notice a tire is low, check the pressure and add more if needed. This can be easily done at many gas stations.

Make sure to bring your car to a qualified mechanic for regular maintenance so he or she can inform when your tires should be changed out because they are too old. A mechanic you trust can make sure to select the right size tire and ensure it is aligned and properly inflated. Properly rotating your tires on a regular basis is also important.

If you notice a nail in your tire, get it fixed right away. It is relatively easy and quick to get a nail removed from a tire and get the hole patched up so you can get back on your way.

What To Do if Your Tire Blows Out

How you react to a tire blowout as a driver could help to prevent a collision, despite the damage to your tire. One thing you do not want to do in this situation is slam your brakes. Although it seems like it would be the obvious thing to do, it really is a bad idea. Slamming on the brakes during a tire blowout actually increases the possibility of you losing control of your vehicle.

When a tire blowout happens, your car may jerk or suddenly veer in the direction of the blown tire. To help keep control of your vehicle, it is important to hold the wheel steady and with both hands. Flip on your hazard lights and slowly apply the brakes. Then cautiously try to move off the road until you are able to come to a complete stop.

Contact Jay Trucks Today To Discuss Your Legal Options

Give us a call today to discuss your injuries and what happened in your accident. We can explain how we may be able to help you with your no-fault benefits claim or determine if you may be eligible to seek excess damages through a third-party lawsuit.

The legal process can be overwhelming for crash victims. Often, those who work with an attorney recover more compensation than those who go it alone. At Jay Trucks, our experienced attorneys are available to answer your questions and discuss how we may be able to help you during this difficult time.

Call our trusted law firm today. (989) 244-0440

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