Tire Blowouts: Causes, Prevention, and Liability in Florida

Tire blowouts can occur without warning and result in catastrophic accidents. When a tire blows, it can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, potentially leading to a rollover crash or a collision with another vehicle or object. In Florida, tire blowouts cause thousands of accidents every year. Understanding what causes blowouts, how to prevent them, and who can be held liable are all critical for Florida drivers.
What Causes Tire Blowouts?
There are several potential causes of sudden tire blowouts:
• Underinflation – Driving on tires that are underinflated puts more stress on the sidewalls and increases the chances of overheating. Underinflated tires can blow out more easily.
• Overloading – Putting too much weight in a vehicle can cause the tires to wear out faster and fail. Pay attention to your vehicle’s weight capacity and don’t overload it.
• High speeds – Excessive speed generates more heat in the tires, increasing the chances of failure, especially if the tires are underinflated already.
• Road hazards – Potholes, debris, metal parts in the roadway, curbs and anything else that can puncture or damage a tire can lead to a blowout.
• Improper maintenance – Worn treads, old tires, bent wheels, unbalanced tires, and other maintenance issues raise the risk. Inspect tires regularly.
• Manufacturing defects – Sometimes a tire is defective or has an undetected flaw that leads to premature failure. This is uncommon with major brands.
• Hot weather – Heat causes the air pressure inside tires to increase, which puts more stress on the rubber and can lead to blowouts. Check inflation when temperatures change significantly.
• Previous damage – Prior impacts, punctures, or other damage to tires that may seem minor can weaken them over time and eventually cause a blowout.
• Vehicle suspension and alignment issues – Problems with suspension parts or improper wheel alignment lead to uneven tire wear, which increases the chances of blowouts.
• Loose lug nuts – If lug nuts securing the wheels are loose, it allows the wheels to wobble and damages the tires from the inside, elevating the risk of blowouts.
Many blowouts are preventable through proper tire maintenance and driving habits. But when a blowout occurs unexpectedly, it often catches drivers by surprise.
Preventing Tire Blowouts
Follow these tips to help avoid sudden tire failure:
• Check inflation – Use a quality pressure gauge to check all tires at least once a month when cold. Inflate to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure found on a placard in the driver’s door jamb or owner’s manual.
• Inspect regularly – Examine tires for signs of excessive or uneven wear. Look for bulges, cracks, cuts, punctures, and bald spots. Have a mechanic inspect wheels for damage or alignment issues.
• Rotate and balance – Get your tires rotated every 5,000-8,000 miles to distribute wear evenly. Have them balanced at the same time to prevent vibration.
• Load properly – Don’t exceed your vehicle’s load capacity. Overloading puts strain on tires.
• Replace on time – Tires wear out over time. Replace based on tread depth, not just age. Consider every 6-10 years for most passenger vehicles.
• Drive carefully – Avoid potholes and curbs. Don’t make fast turns at high speeds. Jamming on brakes also increases wear. Moderate driving helps tires last.
• Check the spare – Make sure your spare tire is properly inflated and in good condition in case you need it.
• Re-torque lug nuts – Check lug nuts frequently and tighten them to the specified torque using a properly calibrated torque wrench.
• Repair minor damage – Don’t ignore small punctures, cuts, or bulges. Have a tire shop inspect and repair minor damage to prevent blowouts.
• Get wheel alignments – Misaligned wheels cause uneven tread wear and deterioration. Get regular alignments per your mechanic’s recommendation.
Proper maintenance and operation makes blowouts less likely. But you can still experience a failure, even if you do everything right.
Legal Liability for Tire Blowout Accidents
When a tire blows and causes an accident, injured victims may wonder – who is liable? Liability depends on the specific circumstances. Possible responsible parties include:
Manufacturer – If a tire had a defect in materials or design that caused it to fail prematurely, the maker could face product liability. Victims would need to show the tire was unreasonably dangerous.
Retailer – The store that sold a defective tire could also be liable if they were negligent. Proving negligence requires showing they knew or should have known about the defect.
Mechanic – If a mechanic who installed or maintained the tire did so incorrectly, their negligence could make them liable. For example, improperly rotating tires could accelerate wear and cause a blowout.
Driver – The way a driver operates and cares for their vehicle affects tire condition. Driving at excessive speeds or while overloaded are examples of negligence that could establish liability if a tire fails.
Property owner – If a tire blows due to a pothole or damaged road surface that the property owner failed to maintain, they could share fault for any resulting injuries.
Vehicle manufacturer – If a design flaw in the vehicle’s suspension or lug nuts contributed to a tire blowout, the automaker could be liable for a product defect.
In most blowout crashes, multiple parties share some degree of responsibility. An attorney can help identify all potentially liable defendants after a serious accident.
Take Action After a Tire Blowout Crash
If you or a passenger suffer injuries in a Florida tire blowout accident, take these steps:
• Seek medical care – Get evaluated and treated for any injuries right away, even if they seem minor at first. Prompt care supports your claim.
• Document evidence – Take photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and anything else relevant. Police reports are also critical.
• Contact an attorney – An experienced personal injury lawyer can investigate your accident’s causes, determine liability, and advise you of your legal options.
• File a claim – To recover damages, your attorney will help you make a claim or file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires. Damages can include medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Don’t assume you lack recourse if you’re the innocent victim of a tire blowout crash. An attorney at our firm can review your case for free and help you pursue maximum compensation. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Visit one of our offices at:
• Orlando – 315 Park Lake Cir., Orlando, FL 32803
• Tampa – 11700 N. 58th St., Ste. A, Temple Terrace, FL 33617
• Kissimmee – 1052 E. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34744
• Poinciana – 4663 Old Pleasant Hill Road, Poinciana, FL 34759
• Davenport – 40230 US Highway 27, Suite 140, Davenport, FL 33837
• Bradenton – 409 6th Avenue East, Bradenton, FL 34208
Or call now for a free consultation on (888) 522-0222.