Injured by Loose Tire on Road Accident Attorney

The tires on a vehicle serve a crucial purpose when it comes to keeping us safe on the road. But we rarely think about these items that are affixed to the bottom of a car, except when you are get a reminder to have your tires checked and make sure they don’t need to be replaced. However, lack of maintenance by the car owner is not the only issue that can cause tire-related accidents.

Unfortunately, there are instances where one or more tires on a vehicle are not properly attached to the car. As a result, the tire can come loose during a drive and cause serious injuries to one or more people. These accidents go by various names, including wheel runoff and runaway tire accidents. No matter which name is applied, it’s clear that these incidents are associated with severe harm and suffering, including permanent disability and financial ruin.

Were you or your loved one involved in an accident due to a runaway tire? If so, a loose tire on the road accident attorney is available to assist you here at Normandie Law Firm. Reach out to us for a free case evaluation at your earliest convenience.

What is a Loose Tire Accident?

Generally, these are accidents where a tire detaches from an automobile and rolls out while the vehicle is in operation. Because the car is in motion, the tire flies off the car at a high velocity and rolls or spins until it hits an object or surface. Many of the lawsuits we handle involve tires coming loose on commercial trucks, which are much bigger than the average car tire. So, the risk of severe injury is even greater in these instances, as well as the potential for death.

If you are out on a busy highway, the potential to hit another vehicle is extremely high. In some cases, the tire may hit a pedestrian or someone riding a bicycle, scooter, or motorbike. There are even cases of loose tires hitting buildings and people’s homes and causing extensive property damage. We also have to consider the person that’s driving the car with the runaway tire. It’s likely that the driver will lose control of the vehicle and crash into another car, person, structure, etc. In fact, there are many incidents of sideswipe accidents and multi-vehicle crashes that are associated with a tire coming loose from the car.

Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements

Holding Someone Responsible for a Loose Tire Accident

Determining who is liable for a loose tire on the road incident can be quite complicated, and there are many cases where more than one party is involved. Figuring this out is extremely important, as you can easily waste time by suing the wrong individual or entity. Or, you can end up with a settlement that’s lower that what you would have received had you filed a claim against all the parties that share responsibility for the accident.

In most situations, a tire detachment while it’s being driven is due to poor vehicle maintenance or a defective car part. Failure to maintain the vehicle can sometimes be the owner’s fault, but negligence by mechanics, dealerships, and auto manufacturers can also cause tires to fall off the wheel.

Vehicle Owner Liability

As someone that owns a vehicle, maintenance and repairs are not just about protecting your investment. You also do this in order to protect others from accidents, like car crashes caused by runaway tires. Unfortunately, some owners try to cut corners in these areas by ignoring signs that the tire is in need of repair or replacement. Or, they will take the car to someone who is inexperienced, but is willing to give them a steep discount.

Liability by a Trucking Company

We mentioned before that most accidents from tires detaching while the vehicle is being driven involve commercial trucks. Unlike household vehicles, trucks used for commercial purposes must be inspected and maintained according to federal safety guidelines. Any violations of these rules or deviating from industry standards in order to cut costs makes companies liable when someone is injured from being struck by a loose tire.

Keep in mind that these cases are notoriously difficult, so we strongly recommend that you seek help from a Los Angeles truck accident attorney.

Maintenance or Repair Service

Cars can be repaired or serviced at dealerships or auto repair shops, or even by the owner of the vehicle. No matter who is in charge of fixing or maintaining the car, there are professional standards they must adhere to, like making sure the lug nuts are tightened and that impact wrenches are not used improperly, which can damage the wheel or cause the lug nuts to break. These are just some of the instances where an auto mechanic or repair shop can be sued for injuries from a runaway tire.

Product Manufacturers

Tires and wheels on a car are made of and held together by numerous components, or parts. It’s possible that one of more of these parts has a design flaw or some other kind of defect that is responsible for the tire coming off the wheel. In this scenario, you will need to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer of the tire or the specific part. Keep in mind that with these cases, you do not need to prove deliberate negligence or misconduct. Under California’s strict liability rule for product makers, you simply need to establish that the cause of the accident existed while the product was still in the manufacturer’s possession.

Statute of Limitations to File an Accident Claim

How long you have to file a lawsuit can vary somewhat from person to person, but the general timeline is within 2 years of when the accident occurred. Of course, it’s a good idea to confirm the exact deadline with a runaway tire accident lawyer. Regardless of the statute of limitations, you should initiate a claim as soon as possible. That way, you can begin the process of recovering your medical expenses, lost wages, and other monetary losses. Our legal team is with you every step of the way, so please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Zero Fee Guarantee for Loose Tire Accident Victims

Accident victims are dealing with significant losses to their finances, and this can cause them all sorts of worry and aggravation. A car accident lawyer can help them with the recovery process, but how to afford an attorney is the problem many victims have.

At Normandie Law Firm, we provide free legal services under a policy known as the Zero Fee Guarantee. The cost of representing you is charged to the party that was negligent in their duty of care. As legal fees are paid as a part of your settlement award, we have to win your case in order to get paid. That’s why we can promise you that you will never pay out of pocket if you decide to hire us.

We look forward to hearing your story during a free, private consultation. Contact our office to learn about your rights and the available legal options.

Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Can I Hire a Lawyer to Look Over my Car Accident Settlement Agreement?
Loss of Hearing after a Slip and Fall or Car Accident
Blurred Vision after a Car Accident – What Does It Mean