Tire Blowouts: How They Occur and How to Repair Them

Tire blowouts are a serious matter on the road because they can lead to severe accidents. There are many different causes of tire blowouts. After the blowout, there may be legal claims drivers can pursue if they suffered harm from an accident.

Tire Blowout Causes

Roadway conditions are a major cause of tire blowouts. If a car drives over a sharp object or hits a pothole, the tire can explode from the puncture or the pressure on the tire. Drivers should avoid potholes and debris whenever possible to reduce the chance of a blowout.

Another cause of blowouts is improperly inflated tires, either over or under. This is especially true for tires that are underinflated. When a tire doesn’t have enough air, the wheel flexes to grip the pavement. Flexing causes the rubber to overwork, which may eventually lead to a puncture and blowout. Motorists should check tire pressure regularly, especially when the seasons change, to safeguard against blowouts.

Tire defects lead to blowouts as well. Some tire defects that might result in blowouts include:

• bead failures;
• tread separation;
• tire shredding; and
• sidewall zipper failures.

Motorists should check their tire’s make and model number against the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall database to make sure the tires are safe.

We also share information about recent tire recalls on our blog. In the event that a blowout and subsequent accident is related to a defect, the injured motorist may pursue legal action against the manufacturer, which will be covered later in the blog.

Repairing a Blown Tire

After a blowout, drivers need to get the vehicle off the road safety. While it’s counterintuitive, drivers should maintain their speed immediately after the blowout, recommends NTB Tire and Service Centers. Once the car is stable, pull over to a safe area out of the flow of traffic.

To change a tire, first put the vehicle in park and engage the parking brake. Place two objects against the front of the front and back wheels to prevent the car from moving. Then place the car jack under the car’s metal frame.

Lift the jack up until it is just under the frame, and proceed to loosen – but don’t remove – the lug nuts. Once loosened, continue to lift the jack until the car raises enough to change the tire. Next, remove the lug nuts by hand and remove the tire. Place the spare on the axle and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Then lower the jack and finish tightening.

You May Have Legal Action against a Manufacturer

If a blowout causes an accident, and the driver whose tire exploded didn’t properly maintain the tire, this lack of care could be negligence and leave the driver liable for the accident. But blowouts caused by tire defects can lead to legal action against the tire manufacturers.

Under strict product liability, manufacturers can be held responsible for their products even if they showed reasonable care in production. Claimants or plaintiffs must establish the tire was defective and it led to the blowout, which led to the accident, and finally caused injury and damage.

Chalik & Chalik is committed to helping South Florida drivers recover damages they suffer in an accident related to defective tires. Contact our office at 855-529-0269 to set up a consultation with a tire attorney.