Summer Blowout: Tips for Your Tires When Things Get Heated

As temperatures soar, so does the risk of tire blowouts on the road. Every summer, drivers across the country face increased danger due to one simple fact: hot weather and underinflated, worn-out, or poorly maintained tires are a recipe for disaster.

At Morgan & Morgan, we’ve seen firsthand the devastating consequences of car crashes caused by tire failures. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by a blown or failed tire, whether it was yours or someone else’s, you may be entitled to compensation. 

You can find out more by contacting us for a free case evaluation. It’s fast, free, and easy.

But first, let’s break down why tires fail more in the heat and what you can do to stay safe.

Why Do Tires Blow Out in the Heat?

Your tires are more vulnerable in high temperatures due to the way heat affects air pressure. When the weather heats up, the air inside your tires expands. This can increase pressure significantly, especially if the tire was already overinflated, underinflated, or weakened by wear and tear.

Tire blowouts often happen during the worst times, too, like long highway drives, road trips with heavy loads, and afternoon hours when the pavement is hottest (basically the times we want to be stuck on the side of the road the least).

But these incidents can do a lot more damage than just slow you down. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire-related crashes cause hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries each year, and summer months see a notable spike in these incidents.

Common Causes of Tire Blowouts Beyond the Mere Heat

While heat plays a role, it often combines with other risk factors:

• Underinflated Tires: More surface area touches the road, increasing friction and heat.
• Overinflated Tires: Higher risk of bursting as internal pressure climbs from heat.
• Worn Tread: Less grip and more exposure to potential damage from road hazards.
• Bad Service or Maintenance: Tire installers and tire service companies failed to identify an “at-risk” or worn tire.
• Manufacturing Defects: Defective tires also fail even under normal conditions and even with proper maintenance, especially if there was a “tread separation” or another signature consequence of a manufacturing defect. 

What to Do After a Tire Blowout Accident

If you’re involved in an accident caused by a tire blowout, take the following steps:

1. Get help. 

Call 911 and seek medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor, get checked out. Why? Some injuries don’t show symptoms right away and can worsen over time. Plus, if someone else caused your accident, you’ll need an official medical record for your injuries.

2. Document the scene. 

If you’re able, take photos of the vehicles, tires, road conditions, and any visible damage. This is vital evidence in an insurance or personal injury claim.

3. Get a police report.

For most accidents that lead to injuries, the police will be on the scene. Request a copy of the report for your own records and as evidence.

4. Keep the tire.

Whenever possible, keep the blown tire and any parts and pieces that are found. It may serve as important evidence in a defect case. If the tire was on someone else’s car, try to grab some snapshots of it.

5. Call us.

A personal injury attorney at Morgan & Morgan can help determine who’s at fault and whether you have a case with a free case evaluation.

 

Who’s Liable in a Tire Blowout Accident?

Tire blowouts can cause serious accidents. Multi-car collisions, rollovers, and high-speed crashes are all possibilities, but determining fault isn’t always straightforward.

Here are a few scenarios where liability may apply:

• Negligent Drivers: If someone fails to maintain their tires and causes a crash, they may be responsible for your injuries.
• Commercial Vehicle Operators: Trucking companies have a duty to ensure their fleets are road-safe. If a big rig’s tire fails due to poor maintenance, they may be held liable.
• Tire Manufacturers: If a defective tire bursts suddenly, the manufacturer, retailer, or distributor may be liable.
• Auto Repair Shops: Improper installation or failure to detect worn tires during a routine service visit could result in liability for a mechanic or shop.
  
   

Can You File a Lawsuit for a Tire Blowout?

Yes, if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence or a product defect, you may be able to pursue compensation. This can include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Long-term care or rehabilitation

At Morgan & Morgan, we have the resources to investigate tire blowout cases thoroughly. Our team can work with accident reconstruction experts, tire experts, and engineers to determine exactly what went wrong and who should be held accountable.

How to Prevent Tire Blowouts in Hot Weather

While not every blowout can be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk:

• Check your tire pressure at least once a month (and always before road trips).
• Inspect your tread and use “the penny test” to check for proper depth. By placing a penny into the tire tread with Lincoln's head facing down, you can quickly assess whether your tires need replacing. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, the tread depth is too low, and the tires should be replaced
• Avoid overloading your vehicle, which adds stress to your tires.
• Replace old tires if they’re more than six years old.
• Stay alert to recalls from tire manufacturers or automakers.

Remember, tire maintenance is about your safety and the safety of everyone around you.

Injured in a Tire Blowout Accident? We’re Here to Help

To call a blown tire a summer bummer is an understatement. These blowouts can cause serious accidents that lead to severe injuries.

If you were injured in a tire-related accident, don’t wait to get legal advice. These cases often involve complex liability issues and require in-depth investigation. But not to worry; that’s where we come in.

At Morgan & Morgan, we fight For the People. Our attorneys have recovered billions for clients injured in car accidents, including those caused by tire blowouts, and we never charge upfront fees—we only get paid if you win.

Get a free, no-obligation case evaluation today.