Tire blowout injuries are often complex liability issues. Legal guidance is important to determine who is responsible, whether a manufacturer, a mechanic, a distributor, or a driver.
The result of tire blowouts can be severe injury and leave victims with massive medical bills. Liability in these cases is important to seek fair compensation.
Determining Who Is Responsible for a Tire Blowout Injury
In a tire blowout injury claim, you must determine who is responsible. This blowout process will involve an experienced Alaska personal injury attorney who can investigate and hold those accountable if negligence is involved. Liability, however, generally falls to parties that should have seen that the tire was safe during manufacturing, installation, or maintenance, and each case is different.
Parties Liable for a Tire Blowout Injury
The Manufacturer of the Tire
Tire blowout claims usually begin with the manufacturer. Manufacturers are legally responsible for ensuring their products are safe and defect-free. If a blowout results from flaws in the manufacturing process, the manufacturer could be held strictly liable.
● Manufacturing Defects
Production defects occur during the process. Even a small inconsistency in the tire’s structure, such as improperly bonded layers, can create a weak point. If such a defect causes a blowout, the manufacturer may be responsible for all resulting injuries.
● Design Defects
Inherent flaws in the tire blueprint are known as design defects. Under normal conditions, a tire with poor tread or sidewall durability can blow out. If poor design results in a blowout, the manufacturer can be sued, and the party injured is left with nothing.
● Failure to Warn
Manufacturers must tell consumers about the risks of their products. If the tire does not carry proper warnings about particular risks, such as low load capacity, it could support a liability claim if a blowout occurs, if the tire lacks proper warnings about specific risks.
The Tire Distributor
They also supply safe products. A distributor can be liable if one of its defective tires causes injury or if the distributor knowingly sells defective tires or does not follow recall notices. Product inspection is a distributor’s duty, and they must be responsible for recalls or defect reports.
Tire Installer or Mechanic
Tire safety is highly reliant on mechanics. Blowout risk can be increased through improper installation, including underinflation, overinflation, or misalignment. But, if you can demonstrate a mechanic’s error caused the blowout, liability can be the shop that installed the tire—especially if it failed to follow proper air pressure and safety check procedures.
The Driver
Regular inspection of your vehicle is necessary to prevent unnecessary accidents. In the event of a blowout, a driver who doesn’t recognize signs of tire wear or doesn’t perform basic vehicle maintenance may be held partially responsible. Liability arises from a driver’s legal duty to keep their vehicle safe and operable.
● The Duty for Car Inspection Before Driving
It’s the driver’s responsibility to periodically check their tires for visible signs of wear or damage. Not ignoring these signs can be negligence and affect liability.
● Duty Not to Drive With Defective Equipment
Visible damage or underinflated tires on the driver’s or the vehicle’s tires being driven increases the risk to the driver and others. If drivers knowingly disregard these issues, they may share fault for the accident.
The Owner of the Vehicle
In some cases, the vehicle owner may be liable. For instance, if the owner neglected to replace worn-out tires and let someone else drive, his negligence in keeping the car in good condition will affect liability. An experienced car accident attorney can examine such factors and determine the owner’s role in the blowout incident.
When facing a tire blowout injury claim, legal guidance is essential. A skilled attorney can help determine liability, gather evidence, and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Featured Image Source: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/damaged-tire-after-tire-explosion-at-high-speed-on-highway-gm855321550-140835959?searchscope=image%2Cfilm
