Have you been injured in a crash caused by a defective tire in Austin, Texas? Anderson Injury Lawyers can help when you call (512) 399-5000. We offer a free consultation with an Austin defective tire car accident lawyer who can review what happened, identify potentially responsible parties, and explain your options for pursuing compensation.
Blowouts, tread separation, and other tire failures can cause a serious crash with little warning, leaving a driver with little time to react or regain control. A defective tire claim may involve a manufacturer, seller, service company, or another party responsible for the tire or its condition.
Why Choose Anderson Injury Lawyers for a Defective Tire Car Accident Case in Austin, TX?
Defective tire claims can be more complex than many other car accident cases. The tire itself may need to be inspected, and the investigation may involve vehicle records, maintenance history, product testing, and evidence from the crash scene. Anderson Injury Lawyers brings decades of personal injury experience to these claims in Austin, TX.
Clients trust our Austin car accident lawyers because:
- Founding attorney Mark Anderson has over 30 years of experience
- The firm has recovered over $100 million for injured clients
- Anderson Injury Lawyers focuses on personal injury cases
- The firm handles serious motor vehicle accident claims
A defective tire accident may involve several companies and insurance carriers. We can investigate the cause of the crash, identify the parties that may be liable, and pursue the compensation available under Texas law.
Reach out today to schedule a free consultation with an Austin personal injury attorney.
How Defective Tires Can Cause Car Accidents
Tires must handle heat, friction, vehicle weight, and changing road conditions. A defect can weaken a tire until it fails while the vehicle is moving.
Several tire problems can lead to serious crashes. Common examples include:
- Tread separation
- Sudden tire blowouts
- Weak or damaged sidewalls
- Defective tire belts
- Manufacturing flaws
- Poor bonding between tire components
- Unsafe tire designs
A sudden failure may cause a vehicle to swerve, leave the roadway, roll over, or collide with nearby traffic.
Not every tire failure is caused by a product defect. Tire age, poor maintenance, low air pressure, road hazards, and previous repairs may also play a role. A full investigation can help determine what caused the tire to fail.
Who May Be Liable for a Defective Tire Crash?
Liability for a defective tire crash may extend beyond the drivers involved in the accident. Under Texas law, a product liability action can involve personal injury, death, or property damage allegedly caused by a defective product.
Depending on the cause of the failure, potentially responsible parties may include:
- The tire manufacturer
- A company that made a defective tire component
- A seller who may be legally responsible under Texas law
- A repair shop or service company that improperly installed or serviced the tire
- A commercial vehicle owner who failed to maintain tires
- Another driver whose negligence contributed to the crash
More than one party may share responsibility. Identifying each liable party can be important when an accident causes major injuries and financial losses.
Evidence in a Defective Tire Accident Claim
The failed tire can be one of the most important pieces of evidence in the case. When possible, it should be preserved instead of being discarded with the damaged vehicle.
Other evidence may help show how and why the tire failed. An investigation may include:
- The damaged tire and tire components
- Photos and videos from the crash scene
- Vehicle damage
- Tire purchase and service records
- Maintenance records
- Tire identification numbers
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Manufacturer records and recall information
Experts may inspect the tire and vehicle to determine whether a design, manufacturing, or material problem contributed to the failure.
Evidence can disappear quickly after a crash. A damaged vehicle may be repaired or destroyed, and a tire may be thrown away unless steps are taken to preserve it.
What Compensation May Be Available?
A defective tire crash can leave an injured person facing medical treatment, missed work, and long-term physical problems. Texas law may allow a person to seek compensation for the losses caused by the accident.
Depending on the case, recoverable damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning ability
- Property damage
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
The amount available depends on the seriousness of the injuries, the evidence of fault, insurance coverage, and the effect the accident has had on the injured person; our Austin personal injury lawyers can help you calculate your case’s value.
Texas Laws That Can Affect a Defective Tire Claim
Texas law places deadlines on personal injury lawsuits. In most cases, an injured person has two years from the date the claim accrues to file suit. Waiting too long can make it harder to preserve evidence and may also prevent a claim from moving forward.
Texas also follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this rule, an injured person cannot recover damages if they are more than 50% responsible for the harm. If they are 50% or less at fault, their recovery may be reduced by their percentage of responsibility.
This rule may become important if a tire company argues that poor maintenance, improper inflation, driver conduct, or another issue contributed to the crash.
How a Lawyer Can Investigate a Defective Tire Accident
Showing that a tire blew out is not always enough to prove that it was defective. An Austin car accident attorney can investigate why the tire failed and gather evidence connecting the failure to the accident.
This may involve:
- Preserving and inspecting the damaged tire
- Reviewing maintenance and service records
- Investigating recalls and prior complaints
- Interviewing witnesses
- Working with tire or vehicle experts
- Identifying potentially responsible parties
The investigation may help establish whether a defect, improper service, or another problem caused the tire failure and who may be liable for the resulting damages.
Contact an Austin Defective Tire Car Accident Lawyer Today
A defective tire accident in Austin, TX, can lead to serious injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and damage to a vehicle. These cases may require a detailed investigation to determine whether the tire failed because of a design problem, manufacturing error, poor service, or another cause.
An Austin defective tire car accident attorney at Anderson Injury Lawyers can investigate the tire failure, identify the parties that may be responsible, and explain your legal options. Contact the firm today to discuss your accident and learn what compensation may be available during a free consultation.