Arkansas Tire Blowout Accident Lawyers

Why Are Tire Blowouts So Dangerous?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire blowouts and other tire-related failures cause or contribute to more than 11,000 highway crashes in the United States annually. In 2022 alone, these crashes killed at least 536 people.

Why are tire blowouts so dangerous? Unlike a flat tire that slowly loses air, a blowout is an explosive failure that leads to an immediate loss of stability and handling. At highway speeds, a blown tire transforms a vehicle into a heavy, unguided projectile. Panic sets in, and the natural instinct—slamming on the brakes—can actually worsen the situation, potentially causing one of several dangerous crash scenarios:

• Rollovers: Because blowouts typically occur at high speeds, the sudden shift in balance can cause a vehicle to flip. This is especially common with SUVs and trucks, which have a higher center of gravity.
• Roadway Departures: The force of a blowout can pull a vehicle sharply to one side. If a driver abruptly swerves to correct their steering, they may hit the median barrier or guardrails or veer into ditches.
• Chain-Reaction Crashes: An out-of-control vehicle may cross into oncoming traffic or spin out in the middle of the road, triggering a multi-vehicle pile-up with other unsuspecting drivers.
• Jackknife Truck Wrecks: A rear-tire blowout on an 18-wheeler can cause the trailer to swing out and lock against the cab in a “jackknife” position, sweeping across multiple lanes of traffic.
• Debris-Related Crashes: When a large truck tire explodes, it sends heavy rubber shrapnel flying, striking nearby vehicles. As debris careens toward them, other drivers may attempt to swerve out of its path, potentially causing secondary crashes.

What Causes Tire Blowouts?

Many people assume a tire blowout is a random “act of God” that couldn’t be helped. But more often than not, a blown tire is the predictable result of entirely preventable and foreseeable failures:

• Underinflation: Low pressure causes a tire’s sidewalls to flex excessively, generating heat and weakening the rubber.
• Road Hazards: Potholes, curbs, glass, or sharp objects can cause immediate punctures or structural damage, leading to a tire’s failure.
• Worn-Out Tires: Tires with depleted tread are less resilient and more vulnerable to damage and blowouts.
• Overloading: Exceeding a tire’s load capacity puts excessive stress on its structure, potentially causing overheating and eventual failure.
• Age/Tire Rot: Even if they appear fine, tires can degrade and develop internal weaknesses over time, leading to blowouts.
• Excess Heat: High temperatures increase internal pressure and, when combined with underinflation or heavy loads, can trigger a blowout.
• Design and Manufacturing Defects: Manufacturing errors, such as poor tread-to-belt bonding, material contamination, or trapped air, and design flaws, like inadequate heat resistance or faulty belt configurations, often contribute to tire blowouts.

After a Tire Blowout Crash: Common Injuries

Because blowouts frequently occur at high speeds and cause loss of control, victims are more likely to sustain life-altering and potentially deadly injuries:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even with airbags, the violent shaking of a crash or blow to the head can cause concussions or severe brain damage. Symptoms may not appear immediately, but can lead to long-term cognitive issues.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Crash victims may suffer herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or damage to the spinal cord itself, resulting in chronic pain, loss of mobility, or permanent paralysis.
• Broken Bones: Vehicle occupants may instinctively brace for impact during a collision. The resulting tension, combined with the force of the crash, may cause fractures of the arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones.
• Internal Injuries: The force of a seatbelt restricting the body or impact with the steering wheel can damage internal organs and cause potentially life-threatening internal bleeding.
• Psychological Trauma: Many crash survivors experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and remain fearful of driving long after their physical wounds have healed.

Who Is Liable for a Tire Blowout?

When a tire blowout causes a crash involving other vehicles, fault often lies with the driver of the vehicle where the failure occurred. However, liability isn’t always that straightforward. Depending on the exact cause of the blowout, another party could be responsible or multiple parties could share fault, including:

• A Trucking Company: Federal regulations require commercial carriers to properly inspect, maintain, and replace tires. A company may be liable if it allowed unsafe tires to remain in service, ignored maintenance schedules, or overloaded the vehicle.
• The Truck Driver: Commercial drivers must perform pre-trip inspections. If a driver knowingly operated a vehicle with worn, underinflated, or damaged tires, they may be held responsible for the crash.
• An Employer: An employer may be liable when a blowout involves a company-owned vehicle, and the driver was acting within the scope of their job.
• A Maintenance Provider: A repair shop or mechanic may be responsible if faulty service or improper installation contributed to the blowout.
• Cargo Loaders or Shippers: A third-party loading company may be liable if it failed to comply with weight limits or load-distribution requirements.
• The Tire Manufacturer: If a design defect, manufacturing flaw, or inadequate warning caused the blowout, the manufacturer may be liable under product liability law.
• A Passenger Vehicle Owner or Driver: In non-commercial crashes, liability may rest with a vehicle owner or driver who failed to replace worn tires, ignored warning signs, or installed improper tires.
• A Government Agency or Contractor: A government agency or contractor may be liable if poor road maintenance contributed to a tire blowout or subsequent crash.

In Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, “comparative fault” laws govern how liability is assigned when multiple parties share responsibility for a collision. For instance, if a tire manufacturer is deemed 50% responsible for a crash, while a truck driver and their company are each found 25% at fault, each party would pay a portion of the victim’s compensation equal to their share of liability.

Why Choose Caddell Reynolds?

When you hire our Arkansas car accident lawyers, you partner with a legal team that’s personally invested in your well-being. We aren’t intimidated by large insurance companies, and we don’t let adjusters control the narrative. We’ll push back aggressively when they try to shift blame or undervalue your claim, and remain determined to get you the compensation you need to get your life back on track.

Experience That Matters

As one of the region’s premier personal injury law firms, our attorneys know what it takes to build a strong case. From interviewing witnesses and reviewing police reports and medical records to consulting with engineers and accident reconstruction experts, we’ll gather and preserve all the evidence necessary to identify the cause of the tire blowout, those responsible, and every avenue of compensation available to you.

A Personal, Client-First Approach

At Caddell Reynolds, you’re never a case number. We understand the enormous physical, emotional, and financial toll that car crashes and the resulting injuries inflict on victims and their families. We take the time to listen to your story, understand your concerns, and tailor our legal strategy to fit your unique needs and circumstances. With our team handling the paperwork, navigating the claims process, and dealing with the insurance company on your behalf, you’ll be free to fully focus on healing.

Clear Communication From Start to Finish

You’ll never be left in the dark. We maintain open lines of communication, so you’ll always know what’s happening with your case and what’s likely to happen next. We’ll empower you to make well-informed decisions at every step along the way.

A Record of Results

Our record of significant verdicts and settlements speaks for itself. While we always aim to resolve cases without going to court, we prepare every case as though a trial is inevitable. This approach gives us leverage. Because insurance companies know we’re willing and able to take cases to a jury, they’re far more likely to offer our clients the full and fair settlements they deserve.

The Resources to Win

Insurance companies can afford teams of attorneys, investigators, and experts to limit their payout after a crash. The average crash survivor can’t even hope to match that level of firepower. But with our Arkansas car accident lawyers on your side, you level the playing field. We have the knowledge and resources to take on the insurer, gather evidence, bring in the experts needed to challenge its version of events, and ultimately secure every penny of compensation the law allows.

Injured in a Tire Blowout? You Have Options.

A tire blowout doesn’t always come down to bad luck. If you or a loved one were hurt in a crash caused by a blown tire, our Arkansas car accident lawyers can uncover what went wrong and who was to blame, and they’ll fight relentlessly to secure all the compensation you deserve.

To learn more about your options, contact Caddell Reynolds Law Firm to schedule a free consultation. You can reach our team 24/7 by calling 800-671-4100 or using our online form.