If a Tire, Rim, or Wheel Failure Causes Serious Injury, Wheel Explosion Lawyers Can Help

A wheel should never “explode.”

But when a tire, rim, or wheel assembly fails under pressure, the results can be violent, like a blast. 

People have suffered devastating injuries from sudden blowouts on the highway, catastrophic rim failures in a shop, and wheel separations that turn a routine drive into a life-changing crash.

If you or a loved one was hurt in a wheel-related incident, you may be searching for answers: Why did this happen? Who’s responsible? And what can I do now? 

This guide explains what “wheel explosion” cases are, what often causes them, and how wheel explosion lawyers can help injured victims pursue compensation.

What Is a “Wheel Explosion”?

“Wheel explosion” is a common way people describe several different (but related) incidents involving wheel assemblies, including:

• Tire blowouts at highway speeds that cause drivers to lose control
• Rim or wheel failures where a component cracks, fractures, or separates under pressure
• Wheel detachment or separation, where lug nuts, studs, or other hardware fail and the wheel comes off
• Explosions during mounting or inflation, especially in repair shops or garages when a wheel or rim is mismatched, damaged, or improperly assembled

In many of these cases, the force comes from compressed air, rotational speed, heat, load stress, or all of the above. The outcome can be catastrophic: rollovers, multi-vehicle collisions, serious lacerations, fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and fatal injuries.

Common Injuries From Wheel Explosions and Wheel Failures

Wheel failure incidents tend to produce severe harm because they happen without warning, often at speed or at close range. Injuries can include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
• Spinal cord injuries, back and neck injuries
• Broken bones, crushed limbs, and amputations
• Deep cuts and puncture wounds from shrapnel-like debris
• Severe facial injuries and eye damage
• Burns (in rare cases where friction or fire follows a blowout)
• Internal injuries from high-impact crashes
• Wrongful death

Medical care can be immediate and expensive, including costs like ambulances, ER treatment, surgery, rehab, and time away from work, and even after the physical healing begins, wheel failure cases often leave people dealing with chronic pain and lasting limitations.

Why Do Wheels “Explode”? Common Causes

Wheel failure isn’t always a random accident. It can be the result of a defect, negligence, or unsafe practices. Some of the most common causes include:

Tire Defects

A tire blowout can be caused by:

• Manufacturing defects in the tire’s structure or materials
• Tread separation
• Sidewall failure
• Defects related to tire recalls or known quality issues
• Improper labeling or mismatched load ratings

Even a “new” tire can fail if there’s a defect that wasn’t visible to the driver.

Rim or Wheel Defects

Rims and wheels can crack, split, or fail due to:

• Defective design (weak points that fail under normal driving stress)
• Manufacturing issues such as poor welding, improper heat treatment, or material flaws
• Corrosion and metal fatigue
• Hidden damage from earlier impacts

In some cases, a wheel can look normal until it’s under pressure—then failure happens suddenly.

Improper Installation or Maintenance

Many wheel failure cases involve human error during installation, repair, or maintenance, such as:

• Incorrect torque on lug nuts (too loose or too tight)
• Reusing damaged studs or lug nuts
• Failing to properly seat the wheel
• Improper tire mounting procedures
• Installing the wrong size tire or rim

If a shop rushed the work, skipped steps, or didn’t follow safety procedures, liability may fall on that business.

Underinflation, Overinflation, or Mismatched Components

Incorrect tire pressure can dramatically increase the risk of failure, especially when paired with:

• Overloading the vehicle
• Excessive heat from long drives
• Improperly matched tire-to-rim combinations
• Using components outside a manufacturer's specifications

When a rim and tire aren’t compatible, the danger can rise fast.

Road Hazards and Impact Damage

Potholes, debris, curbs, and construction zones can cause damage that later leads to failure. But even when a road hazard plays a role, that doesn’t automatically mean the victim is at fault. The key question becomes: Should the wheel/tire have failed the way it did? And did someone ignore warning signs or send a vehicle back on the road when it wasn’t safe?

Who Can Be Liable in a Wheel Explosion Case?

Wheel failure cases often involve more than one responsible party. Potential defendants may include:

Tire Manufacturer

If a tire defect caused the blowout or separation, the tire company may be liable for defective manufacturing, defective design, or a failure to warn consumers about known risks.

Wheel or Rim Manufacturer

If the wheel itself failed, cracked, separated, or “exploded,” the wheel/rim manufacturer may be responsible under product liability laws.

Automotive Repair Shop or Tire Shop

If a shop installed the wheel incorrectly, used the wrong parts, failed to warn you about damage, or inflated a tire unsafely or mounted it improperly, they may be liable for negligence.

Vehicle Manufacturer

Sometimes a vehicle’s design contributes to failure through suspension issues, wheel hub defects, or recommended specifications that create a safety risk. Depending on the facts, the automaker may be part of the case.

Commercial Vehicle Companies and Fleet Operators

Wheel separations are especially dangerous on trucks and commercial vehicles. A company that failed to maintain its fleet, ignored inspection requirements, or rushed repairs may be liable, particularly if the incident caused a crash that injured others on the road.

What Evidence Matters in Wheel Explosion Claims?

Wheel failure cases can become a battle of experts. That’s why preserving evidence early is critical. Evidence may include:

• The tire, wheel, rim, and all damaged components (don’t discard them)
• Photos and video from the scene and the vehicle
• Police reports and crash reconstruction
• Maintenance records, inspection history, and shop receipts
• Event data recorder (“black box”) information, where available
• Witness statements
• Surveillance or dashcam footage
• Product identification information (make/model, DOT code, serial numbers)

In product cases, the physical evidence can be everything. If a tire or rim is thrown away, “repaired,” or lost, it can become harder to prove what failed and why.

What You Should Do After a Wheel Explosion or Wheel Failure

If you’re dealing with a wheel-related injury, these steps can protect your health and your claim:

1. Get medical attention immediately. Even if you feel “okay,” internal injuries and head injuries can be delayed.
2. Document everything. Photos, injuries, the roadway, and the vehicle.
3. Preserve the wheel and tire. Don’t let anyone dispose of it. If your vehicle is towed, find out where it’s stored.
4. Don’t assume it was “just a blowout.” Blowouts can be caused by defects or negligence, and the true cause isn’t always obvious.
5. Be careful with recorded statements. Insurance adjusters may push for a quick explanation while you’re still in shock.
6. Talk to Morgan & Morgan, the nation’s largest personal injury law firm, with the resources to investigate. These cases can require engineers, metallurgists, and crash reconstruction experts.
   
    

What Compensation Can Cover

Wheel explosion cases can lead to significant damages. Depending on your injuries and losses, compensation may include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disability and loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Costs of rehabilitation, home modifications, and assistive devices
• Wrongful death damages (for surviving family members)

Every case is different. The value depends on medical evidence, fault, insurance coverage, and the long-term impact of the injury.

Why Wheel Explosion Cases Can Be Hard to Win Without the Right Team

Wheel explosion claims aren’t like simple fender-benders. They often involve multiple potential defendants (manufacturer, shop, fleet operator), technical evidence (metallurgy, engineering, product testing), and aggressive defense teams that can try to blame road hazards or user error.

These cases can also involve complex product liability rules and expert testimony requirements.

That’s why choosing legal representation matters. You want a firm that can investigate quickly, preserve evidence, and take on large manufacturers or corporate defendants when needed.

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

As the nation’s largest personal injury law firm with offices in every state, Morgan & Morgan has the size and resources to take on complex injury cases, including product defect and catastrophic crash claims, when the stakes are high and the opposition is well-funded. 

If a wheel explosion or wheel failure caused your injuries, our team can help by investigating the failure with qualified experts, identifying every potentially responsible party, and gathering and preserving critical evidence.

Our experienced wheel explosion lawyers can calculate the full value of your medical, financial, and personal losses and then aggressively negotiate the compensation you need and deserve to move forward with your life after this preventable accident. 

And we’re prepared to go to trial if that’s what it takes.

You shouldn’t have to carry the burden of someone else's mistake. Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a tire blowout always the driver’s fault?

No. While poor maintenance can contribute, many blowouts happen because of manufacturing defects, tread separation, improper installation, or faulty repairs. A proper investigation can determine whether a defect or negligence played a role.

What if a shop worked on my tires recently?

Recent service can be highly relevant. Improper mounting, wrong tire pressure, incorrect lug nut torque, or mismatched components can all increase failure risk. Receipts and service records can help prove what was done.

What if the wheel or tire is gone?

It can make the case harder but not always impossible. Other evidence may still exist, including photos, witness statements, service records, crash reports, or vehicle data. But when possible, preserving the physical wheel/tire is best.

Can I sue a manufacturer for a defective tire or rim?

In many cases, yes. Product liability claims may be available when a tire or wheel fails due to a defect in design, manufacturing, or warnings. These cases often require expert analysis and careful evidence preservation.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Deadlines vary by state, and waiting can hurt evidence preservation. If you suspect a wheel defect or negligent installation caused your injuries, it’s smart to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

If a wheel explosion, tire blowout, rim failure, or wheel separation caused serious injuries to you or someone you love, you deserve clear answers and a legal team that can fight for accountability. Morgan & Morgan can review what happened, investigate the cause, and pursue compensation for the full cost of your injuries and losses. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn more.