Maryland Tire Blowout Accident Attorneys

Tire blowouts can cause the driver to lose control of their vehicle, resulting in a car wreck. This can lead to serious injuries and property damage. It is essential that you make sure you have good quality tires, however, sometimes you may have unknowingly been provided with a defective tire, or the vehicle itself could be defective. Therefore, following a car collision because of a blown-out tire in Baltimore, the fault could rest with the driver, a mechanic, or a tire manufacturer. Either way, if you have been in an auto accident that wasn’t your fault, then you deserve compensation for your injuries.

At the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt, we have decades of collective experience in Maryland Law, we will work with you to establish fault and fight for your right to proper compensation. Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, so that we can be there to provide legal advice when you need it most. The sooner you reach out, the better, as it will allow us to gather fresh evidence and support you on your journey to recovery.

I was hurt in an auto accident caused by a tire blow out – who is liable?

More than 400 traffic fatalities – and more than 10,000.00 car accident injuries – are attributed to tire blowouts every single year. While tires don’t burst due a defect very often, they can cause devastating collisions when they do.

If you were seriously hurt in such a car crash, you may be entitled to compensation. Before you can seek a settlement, though, you’re going to have to identify all liable parties.

Naturally, the circumstances surrounding the crash will determine who was at fault. In most cases, however, at least one of the following parties is to blame:

1. The Owner of the Vehicle

If you own a vehicle, you have an obligation to maintain all critical components, including the steering system, brakes, and headlights, so it’s reasonably safe for road travel. This includes inflating the tires to the proper PSI

If the blowout that caused the accident in which you were hurt occurred because the affected tire was under-inflated, liability may ultimately lie with the owner of the vehicle. Should this end up being the case, you’ll likely file a claim with their auto insurance carrier.

2. An Auto Repair Shop

If the affected tire shouldn’t have been on the vehicle in the first place – if it had been recalled, for example, because of a manufacturing defect that made it prone to blowing out – the shop that installed it could be deemed responsible. Auto repair shops have a duty to track all safety warnings and recalls that apply to the parts they use.

3. The Tire Manufacturer

If the tire that blew out was defective but the technician who installed it couldn’t have been expected to know as much, the manufacturer that produced it may be to blame. Should this be the case, you’ll want to find a personal injury attorney who’s well-versed in product liability law.

4. A Government Entity

Sometimes, tire blowouts are caused by poor road conditions. Striking an unmarked curb or cruising over a massive pothole could apply just enough pressure to force a blowout.

When this happens, the government entity that designed the road – or the agency that’s responsible for maintaining it – could be liable. Since government organization have certain protections under tort law, though, it’s imperative to act fast.

Whereas Maryland’s standard stature of limitations for personal injury suits is three years, those who wish to take action against a government entity must file a statement of claim within two years. As such, it’s wise to call a car collision attorney as soon as possible.

What causes a tire blowout?

Despite what manufacturers might want you to believe, one of the leading causes of tire blowouts is the defective design and poor manufacturing rather than the negligence of the driver. At the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt, we are not afraid to take on large manufacturing companies and will not allow you to be taken advantage of.

Although you do have some responsibility as the owner of a vehicle to replace worn tires, manufacturers are often at fault. A defective tire can lead to a range of safety hazards, such as treat separation, which is where the tread begins to separate from the main body of the tire.

There have been instances where recalls have been announced for tires which had a faulty design, Ford Firestone and Dunlop have both been guilty of this. Unfortunately, often recalls come only after auto collisions have occurred, and lawsuits have been brought against manufacturers. A recall can cost a huge sum of money, and it will be avoided if possible. By brining those responsible for justice, you make it unprofitable for them to continue to produce or allow defective products, which can lead to serious injuries and even death.

When a driver experiences a tire blowout, tire shreds can become entangled with the wheel, and it makes it almost impossible to control your vehicle, making an auto wreck almost inevitable. Often it results in a sharp turn of your vehicle, or if you are traveling at high-speed, your vehicle may even rollover. You should not suffer because manufacturing companies refuse to warn their customers about the inherent dangers in their designs. It is essential that you speak to injury lawyers who can help you to get justice and hopefully prevent similar accidents from happening in the future.

Top causes for tire blowouts

Tire blowouts are one of the top causes of car collisions. These crashes can have a number of causes such as:

• Drop or increase in air pressure
• A large cut in the tire
• Overloading your vehicle
• Mismatched tires
• Balding tires

What to do if you have experienced a tire blowout accident

If you have been in a car collision as a result of a tire blowout in Baltimore, then you should contact us as soon as possible. Our injury lawyers will help you to establish fault and claim the compensation you deserve. However, there are a few things that you can initially do to make it easier for the fault to be established firmly.

• The first thing that you should always do after a tire blowout accident is to call the police to the scene if anyone has been injured or there is severe property damage. If this happens, get the contact information of the police officer, they will file a report which you may need. Furthermore, if anyone requires medical assistance, then make sure an ambulance is called.
• Take clear pictures of the accident to document the scene, including vehicles and road markings.
• Try and identify witnesses to the auto collision and ask for their personal contact information.
• Preserve the vehicle – avoid making repairs, selling, or destroying the vehicle, as this could be crucial evidence.
• Contact your insurance company. Most insurance companies require you to inform them of an auto accident in Baltimore, Maryland. Your policy will tell you exactly how long you have to do this, but it could be within 24 hours. Avoid providing too many details as anything you say could be used to devalue your claim. Stick to the facts, do not speculate, and avoid talking about your injuries at this stage. You may not know the extent of the damage.
• Get checked over by a medical professional. Even if you do not believe your injuries are severe, you should still seek medical advice following an accident. Adrenaline may be covering the extent of your injuries, and the sooner you are treated, the better.

Why choose the law offices of Larry B. Litt to protect your rights if you were injured because of a tire blowout?

Many tire blowout accidents involve tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, or other commercial vehicles that spend long stretches of time on the highways. These drivers are often pressured to meet strict delivery deadlines, which can motivate them to neglect the maintenance of their vehicles that is mandated by federal laws. In these types of tire blowout accident cases, our experienced attorneys will investigate the trucking company’s policies and procedures, as well as their safety record, to determine whether a claim against the driver’s employer may be appropriate.

In every case, our Baltimore attorneys fight to recover economic damages, which cover the costs of your medical care, lost wages, and rehabilitation expenses, as well as non-economic damages for the pain and suffering that the tire blowout accident has caused.

The legal consequences that May be involved with flat tires

At some point or another, most drivers will have a flat tire. It may be caused by a tire puncture from driving over a sharp object, such as a nail, broken glass, or piece of construction debris; the result of normal wear and tear; a leaky valve stem; or something else. Whatever the cause, flats often seem to happen at the worst possible time and in the worst place. If you’re in traffic, you can’t just stop in the middle of the road, but driving on a flat tire can ruin your rim. Then you’ll not only have the expense of a new tire, but you’ll also be shelling out hundreds more if you have to replace the rim. It’s usually okay to go a few yards to get to a safe place, but driving more than about 100 yards almost certainly means you’ll damage the rim. And if the vehicle has all-wheel drive, it could be damaged as well, which means even more expensive repairs.

If an accident occurs as a result of the flat tire, you could be facing more than the costs of repairs. There could be legal consequences. Legal consequences from a flat tire? Really? Yes. Every state has laws about unsafe driving. When a tire is flat, vehicles pull to one side to the extent that makes it hard to drive in a straight line. If you’re on a motorcycle and have a flat tire, you no longer have the same level control of either speed or direction. In either case, driving with a flat tire may be considered unsafe. Having a flat tire is, at best, an annoying nuisance. At worst, it can be dangerous, expensive, and have legal consequences.

If there are injuries

A flat tire can result in an accident, and people can be injured in accidents. A driver whose vehicle has a tire blowout is often held accountable for any damages caused because drivers are responsible for keeping their vehicles in good driving and safe condition.

Sometimes, though, a car wreck is beyond the driver’s control. If an auto shop mounted the wrong type of tire for the vehicle, they might be liable or partially liable. Or the tire could be defective. If a manufacturer produced a defective product, the fault could lie with them. If a retailer knew they were selling a defective tire, it’s possible they could share in the liability.

When a tire blowout accident involves injuries, damages can quickly become very expensive. The injured plaintiff will seek compensation for losses, both economic and non-economic. These might include:

• Medical care
• Hospital bills
• Cost of prescriptions and medical supplies
• Physical therapy (if required) or other medical treatments
• Lost income from work and lost earning potential
• Pain and suffering

Conclusion

If you have been in a tire blowout accident because of defective tires, tire failure or tread separation, then you need a law firm on your side who is unafraid to take on large corporations. At the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt, we understand the intricacies of Maryland law, and we take pride in helping injured parties recover what is rightfully theirs. We will listen to your individual case and take over the investigations so that you can focus on your recovery. We will speak to witnesses, gather evidence, analyze the police report, and do whatever it takes to get you the compensation you deserve. Better still, we offer a free consultation, so you do not need to make a decision until after you feel confident that you understand how the process works. Let our legal team handle the logistics of your claim. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, always here to listen to your call. Contact us now at 443-844-1528 or email us at carol@littaccidentlaw.com.