Exploding Tires: Who’s Liable?

What Causes A Tire To Explode?

A tire may explode for many reasons. However, some causes are more common than others. Generally, if a new or good-condition tire explodes, it is reasonable to suspect some sort of unacceptable error. 

Defective Tire

Defective tires make it onto autos all the time. With hundreds of millions of tires being produced and sold, there are bound to be cases of faulty tires that explode. Various defects may lead to a tire explosion, including:

• Improper materials used in tire manufacturing
• Defective material 
• Defective design

When a defect is the cause of an explosion, various companies may be held strictly liable for damages, including:

• Designer
• Manufacturer
• Packager
• Distributor 
• Shipper
• Retailer

Strict liability means plaintiffs need only show the tire is defective; no showing of negligence is required. Breach of warranty lawsuits are also effective in defective tire cases. 

Negligent Service or Installation

A perfectly fine tire may explode if it’s installed improperly. In this case, the workers and company responsible for the installation will be on the hook for damages.

Tire repair shops may also be liable for damages if they perform negligent tire work that leads to an explosion or other tire failure. Additionally, installing an obviously defective tire could lead to liability for a tire shop if said tire explodes. 

Poor Road Construction or Maintenance

Potholes continue to plague Las Vegas drivers, often causing tire explosions and accidents. Fortunately, many result in minor to no injuries. However, other pothole-caused explosions have more serious consequences and injuries. 

Currently, Las Vegas allows drivers to file claims against the city for certain accidents. However, claimants are strongly encouraged to consult a personal injury lawyer to ensure they are compensated properly.

Poorly Maintained Private Roadway or Driveway

When a pothole or something else causes a tire explosion on private property, the owner or tenant may be liable for any resulting damages. For example, a parking lot of a grocery store or mall may be full of potholes or other hazards that may cause a tire to explode. The store may be held liable if a tire explosion and accident occurs.

Driver Error

Driver error can also lead to a tire explosion. Often, drivers improperly inflate their tires, adding more air than recommended. When an explosion occurs, they put others on the road at risk. 

When driver error is suspected, the victim must identify the specific actions of the driver that led to the tire exploding. It is unreasonable to expect the driver to divulge their guilty actions. Instead, victims need skilled attorneys with investigators and relevant experts to build their cases. 

Collecting Damages

Collecting damages is the ultimate goal of any personal injury lawsuit. In most cases, settlements are the means of compensation. Injury victims accept settlement offers in lieu of suing the responsible parties or their insurance companies in court. 

It is during these settlement negotiations that insurance companies make a great deal of profit. They are capable of convincing numerous unrepresented claimants to quickly accept low settlement offers.

Without counsel, these claimants typically do not understand the true value of their claims. They also, unfortunately, believe the insurance companies handling their claims are on their side when the opposite is true. An experienced attorney, however, will fight relentlessly for your best interests in the case. 

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Tire Explosion Accident Claims?

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Nevada is two years. Once the accident occurs, victims have two years to file a lawsuit or settle their claim. Failure to do so will result in loss of valuable compensation for your losses. 

If the injury victim is a minor, the rules are slightly different. The two-year window is still in place. However, the clock does not begin until the minor turns 18. As such, they have until their 20th birthday to file a lawsuit for damages. 

Consumers Deserve Protection and Justice

Tire companies make huge profits, and tire repair shops have unending streams of business. Victims of exploding tires should hold these businesses accountable for every dollar of loss they have caused. If you have been injured in a car accident, contact our experienced attorneys today.