Brentwood Tire Blowout Accident Attorneys
Holding Tire Manufacturers Accountable
Car accidents can have many different causes, including faulty component parts. Tires are the barrier between the car body and the road. If a tire blows out while a car is in motion, it can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Manufacturers are required to conduct rigorous tests on their tires prior to putting them on the market so that these accidents can be avoided. However, many allow defective tires to slip through.
Others skimp on the design or safety features built into the tires. When these tires are put into use, they have the potential to cause serious harm. Biren Law Group has vast experience in handling auto defect cases. We are diligent in our efforts to uncover the truth behind the cause of your accident. Our attorneys can help you build a strong personal injury case in order to help you recover maximum compensation.
Tire Failure and Its Effects
Competition for your dollar is stiff these days, and every tire company out there is doing its best to lure you in as a customer. Unfortunately, this competition frequently leads to lower-quality products. In some cases, tires are even imported from overseas, where the quality standards are not as high as you would expect.
Due to these and many other factors, your tires may not be as safe as the manufacturer would have you believe.
What is a Tire Blowout?
A tire blowout occurs when a tire suddenly loses air pressure, often resulting in a rapid deflation or even an explosive rupture of the tire’s structure. This isn’t just a simple flat tire that gradually leaks air; instead, it’s a dramatic failure that can happen in seconds, shredding the tire and sending pieces flying. Imagine cruising down the 405 when, without warning, a loud bang echoes through your vehicle, and you’re suddenly fighting to maintain control.
At Biren Law Group, we know how this terrifying event can quickly turn a routine drive into a life-threatening ordeal. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire-related crashes contributed to approximately 646 fatalities in the U.S. in 2023. Understanding the mechanics, such as the buildup of internal heat or structural weaknesses, helps explain why these incidents are so dangerous and why holding responsible parties accountable is crucial.
What Causes Tire Blowouts?
Tire blowouts don’t happen out of nowhere; they’re often the result of preventable factors that compromise the tire’s integrity. Under-inflation is a top culprit, as it causes excessive flexing and heat buildup, weakening the sidewalls over time. Conversely, over-inflation makes tires rigid and more susceptible to impacts from potholes or debris. Worn tread reduces grip and increases vulnerability to punctures, while road hazards like nails, glass, or uneven pavement can trigger immediate failure. Overloading a vehicle beyond its recommended capacity adds undue stress, and age-related degradation—such as dry rot or cracking from exposure to the elements—can make even seemingly intact tires prone to blowouts.
In our experience at Biren Law Group, many cases stem from a combination of these issues, often exacerbated by hot California summers where asphalt temperatures soar, accelerating tire wear. Regular inspections could prevent many of these, but when negligence is involved, we’re here to investigate and pursue justice.
How Does Tread Separation Differ from a Blowout?
While often confused, tread separation and blowouts are related but distinct tire failures, each carrying significant risks. Tread separation happens when the tire’s outer layer peels away from the underlying belts, usually due to manufacturing defects, poor adhesion, or heat-induced delamination. This might not always lead to a full explosion, but it can cause vibrations, loss of traction, and eventual blowout if unaddressed. A true blowout, on the other hand, involves complete tire disintegration, often with a sudden burst that scatters debris across the road.
Both scenarios pose similar dangers, like veering off course or triggering chain-reaction crashes, but tread separation can sometimes give subtle warnings like unusual noise or handling issues. Drawing from our decades of handling product liability cases, we’ve seen how these failures trace back to cost-cutting in design or materials. Distinguishing them is key in building a case, as it helps pinpoint whether the issue was a slow-building defect or an abrupt catastrophe.
What Dangers Arise from a Tire Blowout?
The split-second chaos of a tire blowout can escalate into devastating accidents. When a tire fails at highway speeds, the vehicle often lurches violently, leading to loss of control and potential rollovers—especially in SUVs or trucks with higher centers of gravity. Multi-vehicle collisions are common, as swerving cars clip others or cause pile-ups. Debris from the exploded tire can become projectiles, shattering windshields or causing following vehicles to swerve. In urban areas like Brentwood, these incidents might involve slamming into guardrails, medians, or even pedestrians. Statistics show that tire-related crashes account for thousands of incidents annually, underscoring the urgency of proper maintenance and swift legal action to prevent future harm.
Potential Injuries from Tire Blowout Accidents
Survivors of tire blowout accidents often face a spectrum of severe injuries that can alter lives forever.
- Whiplash from sudden jolts strains neck muscles and ligaments, leading to chronic pain.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur when heads strike interiors during rollovers, causing concussions, cognitive impairments, or long-term disabilities.
- Broken bones, such as fractures in arms, legs, or ribs, are frequent from impacts or ejections.
- Lacerations from shattered glass or metal debris can result in scarring and infections.
In the worst cases, spinal cord damage leads to paralysis, and fatalities are tragically common, with NHTSA data indicating hundreds of deaths yearly from these events. At Biren Law Group, we understand the profound physical, emotional, and financial toll, which is why we fight tirelessly for comprehensive compensation to cover rehabilitation, therapy, and lost quality of life.
Can Tire Manufacturers Be Held Liable if a Tire Fails?
Tire manufacturers bear significant responsibility when defects cause blowouts, and California law holds them accountable under strict product liability principles.
- Defective design, such as inadequate belt structures or poor rubber compounds, can make tires prone to failure under normal use.
- Manufacturing flaws, like impurities in materials or assembly errors, might affect entire batches.
- Failure to issue timely recalls, despite known risks, compounds the negligence.
For instance, if a tire’s design ignored heat resistance standards for high-speed travel, the manufacturer could be liable for resulting injuries, even without proving intent.
We’ve successfully litigated against major corporations in product liability cases, uncovering evidence through expert analysis. Our team at Biren Law Group excels at dissecting these complex cases to secure justice for victims.
Are Drivers or Trucking Companies Responsible After a Tire Blowout?
Not all tire blowouts stem from product defects; driver or company negligence often plays a role.
- Failing to maintain tires—ignoring inflation checks, rotations, or replacements—invites disaster.
- Trucking companies might skip routine inspections for damage like cuts or bulges, prioritizing profits over safety.
- Overloading vehicles beyond tire load ratings accelerates wear, while ignoring manufacturer guidelines on speed or terrain adds risk.
California regulations mandate proper upkeep, and violations can establish negligence per se, strengthening your claim. At Biren Law Group, we meticulously review records to expose these oversights and pursue maximum recovery.
Do Tire Retailers or Repair Shops Share Blame in a Tire Blowout Case?
Tire retailers and repair shops can also be liable if their actions contribute to a blowout.
- Improper installation, such as uneven torquing of lug nuts or mismatched tires, can lead to vibrations and failure.
- Selling outdated tires with expired shelf lives—tires degrade even in storage—or those under recall violates safety standards.
- Excessive patching or plugging of damaged areas, instead of full replacement, creates weak spots prone to rupture.
Under California consumer protection laws, these entities must adhere to industry standards, and breaches can form the basis of a negligence claim. Biren Law Group partners with forensic experts to trace these errors back to the source.
What Compensation Can Victims Recover After an Accident Involving a Tire Blowout?
Victims of tire blowout accidents deserve full compensation to rebuild their lives. This includes coverage for medical bills, from emergency care to ongoing therapies. Lost wages account for time off work, including future earning potential if disabilities persist. Pain and suffering compensate for physical agony and emotional distress, while property damage reimburses vehicle repairs or replacements. In wrongful death cases, families can seek funeral costs, loss of companionship, and financial support. California allows for both economic and non-economic damages, and in egregious cases, punitive awards to deter misconduct.
Our track record at Biren Law Group, with over $500 million recovered, demonstrates our commitment to maximizing these recoveries through skilled negotiation and litigation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Tire Blowout Claim?
Time is critical in pursuing a tire blowout claim in California. For personal injury lawsuits, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the injury. Product liability claims follow the same two-year window for injuries caused by defective tires. Property damage has a three-year limit.
Exceptions may apply, such as the discovery rule if defects weren’t immediately apparent. Missing these deadlines can bar your case forever, so consulting promptly is essential. At Biren Law Group, we guide clients through these timelines to ensure rights are preserved.
What Should You Do After a Blowout Accident?
In the aftermath of a blowout, your actions can make or break a claim.
- First, call 911 to report the accident and summon medical help, even if injuries seem minor—adrenaline can mask issues.
- Document the scene thoroughly: take photos of the tire debris, vehicle damage, road conditions, and skid marks.
- Gather witness contacts and police reports.
- Seek immediate medical evaluation to establish a record of injuries.
- Crucially, preserve evidence like the failed tire—don’t let it be discarded or repaired, as it could be key for expert analysis.
- Avoid discussing fault with insurers until consulting an attorney.
How Does the Legal Process Work with Biren Law Group?
At Biren Law Group, we demystify the legal journey for tire blowout victims, starting with a free consultation where we evaluate your case’s merits. If we proceed, our team launches a comprehensive investigation, gathering accident reports, witness statements, and tire evidence. We collaborate with experts in tire forensics, accident reconstruction, and medicine to establish liability and damages. Next, we file claims or lawsuits, negotiating with insurers or manufacturers for fair settlements. If needed, we litigate in court, presenting compelling evidence to juries. Most cases resolve pre-trial, but we’re trial-ready, having secured multimillion-dollar verdicts. Contact us today to begin.
A Full Team Investigating Your Accident
At Biren Law Group, everyone at the firm works on every case. Matthew B.F. Biren handles every case from beginning to end while working closely with our associates and staff. Your case will be thoroughly investigated. Having input from so many people who are intimately familiar with the specifics of your case produces greater creativity in the development and presentation of liability and damage evidence.
Because of our experience in discovering evidence in seemingly impossible cases, we frequently take complex cases that other lawyers will not touch or do not know how to approach. We work with experts in tire design and manufacture to prove liability in these cases. We also consult with doctors, vocational experts, economists, and life care planners. Our team approach is designed to get you maximum compensation.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving tire failure, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced defective tire lawyer at Biren Law Group. We have already helped thousands of clients, recovering more than half a billion dollars in compensation, and we are ready to fight for you.
Contact us today at (310) 774-0078 to find out how we can help. Your initial consultation won’t cost you a thing.
