Tire defects are one of the most common – and most dangerous – situations a driver can face. Defective tires put everyone on the road in danger. More than 500 people die each year in tire-related crashes.
A defective tire can burst without any warning, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and cause a deadly accident, resulting in personal injuries and even death. In many defective tire accidents, the vehicle has been moving at higher speeds and often involves multiple vehicles.
Although in most vehicle accidents there is usually one driver who is at fault in a defective tire accident, it is another party – such as the tire manufacturer – who is the liable party. If you have been injured in a crash caused by a defective tire, a Norfolk car accident attorney can help you get the financial compensation you deserve.
Types of Defects
Some of the most common reasons why a tire blows out or falls off without any warning include the following:
- Missing components — Tires are made up of various components, including tread, belts, and a steel center. If one or more parts are missing, either due to a design or manufacturing defect, the tire can eventually fail.
- Separating tread — Belts under the tire treads keep the tire together. When these belts fail, the tread can separate from the tire, leaving the vehicle unable to grip the road.
- Incorrect tire size — Every vehicle requires a specific tire size. Most people depend on the auto shop where they purchase the tires to install the correct ones. However, if the shop sells the owner the wrong tires for their vehicle, this can result in uneven wear, blowouts, or even the tire falling off.
- Incorrect repair — It is not uncommon for a tire to get a hole or another issue that can be repaired instead of purchasing a new tire. But if the repair shop fails to repair it correctly, this can eventually lead to the tire having a blowout.
What Type of Evidence Is Used to Prove a Defective Tire?
In any personal injury case, the victim must prove the liability of the alleged at-fault party. This is where a skilled Virginia personal injury attorney can help. Your attorney will know what type of evidence is needed and where that evidence can be found for a successful outcome for your case.
Some of the evidence that may be used include:
- Witness testimony — If any witnesses to the crash saw or heard the tire explode, your attorney can use their testimony for your case.
- Tire pieces — If there are any tire fragments at the scene, they should be collected right away. These pieces could be crucial evidence for showing the defect that caused the tire to blow.
- Cameras — Many locations – businesses and residences – have security cameras. Footage from these cameras may have captured the actual crash and can be used in your case.
- Photos of the accident scene — It is always a good idea to take photos of the crash site, including tire skid marks, pieces of the exploded tire, and other key evidence.
- Expert testimony — Your attorney may also use the testimony of car accident experts to explain to the court what occurred that caused the crash.
Call Our Personal Injury Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to another party’s negligent or reckless actions while behind the wheel, contact a Virginia car accident attorney from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp. Our personal injury law firm has been fighting to get accident victims the compensation they deserve for more than three decades, including one client who was awarded $650,000 for disabling leg injuries she suffered when a truck with bald tires slammed into her vehicle.
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Andrew Stover limits his law practice exclusively to personal injury law. Andrew is a member of the American Association for Justice, the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, and the Virginia Beach Bar Association.
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