According to Michelin, more than 23,000 motor vehicle accidents and nearly 550 deaths occur each year on U.S. roadways due to tire blowouts. In fact, the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute reports that tire blowouts are among the top leading vehicle defects, just behind brake system defects.
At Pfaff & Gill, Ltd., our experienced car accident lawyers are dedicated to aggressively defending the rights of those who have been injured in tire blowout accidents – or any other type of auto accident – in Chicago and throughout the Illinois area. We encourage injured parties to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation evaluation of their potential case with one of our leading Chicago tire blowout injury lawyers today.
Our well-respected legal team is headed by Bruce Pfaff, one of only two attorneys in Illinois to win four settlements over $10 million for his clients (the highest of which was $30 million).
Causes of Tire Blowouts
On average, tires that are properly installed, aligned and maintained can easily drive between 60,000 and 80,000 miles before they start deteriorating. When tire failure does occur, it can be due to the negligence of a manufacturer, mechanic and/or driver – or due to other causes.
In the broadest terms, a tire blowout will occur when some factor causes the tire to lose air and become unable to support the vehicle's weight. Such factors may include:
- Excessive vehicle weights (particularly when vehicles are hauling more than they should)
- Hitting a curb
- Improper tire installation
- Manufacturing defects
- Normal wear and tear
- Poor tire maintenance
- Running over glass, other debris and/or potholes
- Speeding (especially when it's hot out, tires are badly worn and/or a vehicle is overloaded)
- Under-inflated tires
In the event of a tire blowout, it's vital that drivers don't slam on the breaks or steer the car wildly. Instead, they should slightly accelerate and hold the steering wheel straight to stabilize the vehicle. Once the car is stable, drivers should pull it off the road and slowly decelerate.
The best way to prevent tire failure is to properly maintain tires, drive within the speed limits and not overload a vehicle. Should a driver run over something in the road (whether it be an animal, glass, pothole, etc.), they should have their tires inspected immediately to check for any damage that may result in a serious tire blowout accident.
Tire Blowout Lawsuits & Compensation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a tire blowout accident, or if your loved one has died due to tire failure, you will likely be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, property damage, permanent disabilities, and pain and suffering.
The personal injury attorneys at Pfaff & Gill, Ltd. are committed to conducting thorough investigations in tire blowout cases to determine what caused the accident. We fight zealously to make sure all responsible parties are held accountable for their actions and that you and your family recover the compensation you deserve. To discuss the details of your tire blowout case, contact Pfaff& Gill, Ltd. Today. We offer FREE case evaluations to determine if we can help you.
