What is a Tire Blowout?
A tire blowout occurs when a tire suddenly bursts or loses air rapidly, causing a driver to lose control of the vehicle. Unlike a flat tire, a blowout is explosive and violent. The sudden loss of tire pressure can send a vehicle veering across lanes or flipping entirely, especially at high speeds. Blowouts are not just minor inconveniences; they can lead to catastrophic crashes with life-altering consequences.
On Texas highways, where traffic moves fast and freight is heavy, tire blowouts are a frequent contributor to serious injury and fatal accidents. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries or died in a crash caused by a tire blow out, it’s crucial to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who understands the complexities of these high-stakes cases.
At Varghese Summersett, our Personal Injury Division has the resources and experience to take on even the most challenging cases. We investigate thoroughly, consult with tire and accident reconstruction experts, and hold manufacturers, trucking companies, and negligent parties accountable. Our team is committed to securing the compensation you deserve and helping you move forward after a devastating event.
Don’t face this alone. Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
How Do Tire Blowouts Happen?
Tire blowouts don’t just happen out of nowhere—they’re usually the result of underlying issues that go unnoticed or unaddressed. In Texas, with its high-speed highways, scorching heat, and heavy commercial traffic, the conditions are ripe for tire failure. Understanding what causes these blowouts is the first step toward prevention—and in personal injury cases, it’s also key to determining liability. Here are the most common causes of tire blowouts:
Defective Tires
Some tires leave the manufacturer already compromised. Manufacturing defects, such as weak sidewalls or faulty treads, can lead to a blowout even under normal driving conditions. These defects often fall under the scope of product liability law.
Worn or Slick Tires
Bald or under-treaded tires have less grip and structural integrity. When the rubber is worn thin, the likelihood of a blowout increases, especially in high temperatures or at high speeds. In Texas, where roads get blistering hot, slick tires are particularly dangerous.
Road Hazards
Potholes, sharp debris, and uneven pavement can puncture or severely damage a tire, leading to a blowout. Texas highways and rural roads often have these hazards, especially in oilfield areas and under-maintained county routes.
Improper Tire Inflation
Tires that are overinflated or underinflated cannot function as designed. Overinflated tires are more rigid and prone to bursting, while underinflated tires flex too much and overheat. Both conditions increase blowout risk.
Overloaded Cargo
Overloading a vehicle puts extreme pressure on its tires. Commercial trucks in Texas often carry heavy loads, and when these exceed recommended weight limits, tire integrity can be compromised.
General Wear and Tear
Tires degrade over time, even when not in use. Texas law does not require specific tire replacement intervals, but drivers and fleet managers are responsible for ensuring tires are safe. Routine inspections are critical.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Tire Blowout Accidents?
While the sudden loss of tire integrity may seem like an unpredictable event, the truth is that many blowouts result from preventable factors—and when they do, one or more parties may be legally responsible. Understanding who can be held liable is essential for anyone injured in a tire-related crash, whether you’re a driver, passenger, or a professional operating within the commercial transport industry. Below, we break down the key entities that may bear legal responsibility when a tire blowout leads to injury or loss.
Manufacturers
If a tire fails due to a design or manufacturing defect, the tire manufacturer can be held liable under product liability laws.
Vehicle Owners or Fleet Operators
Drivers and trucking companies are responsible for maintaining their vehicles. If they knew or should have known the tires were unsafe, they can be held accountable for negligence.
Maintenance Providers
Mechanics and tire shops can also share liability if they improperly install tires, fail to detect defects, or do not inflate them properly during service.
Cargo Loaders
In commercial vehicle cases, loading companies can be liable for blowouts caused by overloaded or uneven cargo.
Government Entities
If poor road maintenance or lack of hazard warnings contributed to the blowout, a municipality or the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) might be held partially responsible. However, suing a government entity in Texas has specific notice and procedural requirements under the Texas Tort Claims Act.
Tire Blowouts and Product Liability Law in Texas
Under Texas law, a tire manufacturer can be strictly liable for defective products under the doctrine of strict liability, even if they were not negligent. This means if a tire defect caused an accident and injury, the manufacturer may be liable regardless of intent or care.
Texas follows the standards set forth in Chapter 82 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, which governs product liability actions. Plaintiffs must prove the tire was defective, the defect existed when it left the manufacturer, and the defect caused the injury.
In cases of tire recalls, manufacturers often attempt to minimize liability. An experienced Texas tire blowout lawyer can investigate whether a defective tire has been subject to a recall and use that evidence to strengthen your claim.
What Should You Do After a Crash Caused by a Blown Tire?
A tire blowout can happen in the blink of an eye—but the aftermath can be long-lasting. Whether you’re dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, or mounting medical bills, it’s critical to take the right steps immediately following the accident. What you do in the minutes, hours, and days after a crash caused by a blown tire can significantly impact your health, safety, and legal options. Below is a clear guide on how to protect yourself physically, financially, and legally after such an incident.
- Get Medical Attention – Even if injuries seem minor, get checked out immediately. Some trauma may not show symptoms right away.
- Preserve Evidence – Take photos of the scene, the tire, and the vehicle. Don’t allow the tire to be discarded.
- Get a Police Report – A crash report creates an official record of what happened. This can be crucial in legal proceedings.
- Do Not Sign Anything – Insurance companies may offer fast settlements. Don’t agree to anything without speaking to a lawyer.
- Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer – The sooner you involve legal counsel, the better your chances of building a strong case.
Types of Compensation Available
If you’ve been injured in a tire blowout accident in Texas, you may be entitled to pursue financial recovery for a wide range of losses. These are generally categorized into economic, non-economic, and, in some cases, punitive damages. Understanding each category can help you determine what to expect from a personal injury claim.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are intended to compensate for the actual financial costs you’ve incurred—or will incur—because of the accident. These are typically documented through receipts, invoices, and employment records, and may include:
- Past and Future Medical Expenses: This includes emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, follow-up appointments, and any future medical treatment you may need as a result of the injury.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries prevented you from working, you can recover the income lost during your time away from your job.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries have long-term or permanent effects that limit your ability to work or advance in your career, you may be entitled to compensation for the reduction in your future earning potential.
- Out-of-Pocket Costs: These may include travel to and from medical appointments, the cost of hiring help at home, medical equipment, or vehicle repairs or replacement.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages address the intangible, personal impact of the accident—those losses that can’t be measured with a receipt but are nonetheless deeply felt. In Texas, they often include:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain you endured during and after the accident, including chronic pain or long-term discomfort.
- Mental Anguish: Accidents can cause emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or a diminished quality of life.
- Physical Impairment or Disfigurement: If the accident caused lasting changes to your body—such as scarring, the loss of mobility, or permanent disability—you may receive additional damages for how those changes affect your daily life.
- Loss of Consortium: If your injuries have affected your ability to maintain relationships with a spouse or family, you may be entitled to compensation for that loss.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not meant to compensate the victim directly but to punish the defendant for particularly harmful conduct and deter future negligence. These may apply when:
- The at-fault party—such as a tire manufacturer or trucking company—acted with gross negligence or reckless disregard for public safety.
- There’s evidence that the defendant knew about a risk (e.g., a defective tire model or a history of improper fleet maintenance) but failed to take corrective action.
In Texas, punitive damages (also called exemplary damages) are awarded only in specific circumstances and are subject to statutory caps.
Determining what types of compensation you’re entitled to requires a thorough investigation of the facts, strong supporting evidence, and an understanding of Texas personal injury law. Consulting an experienced attorney can help you maximize your recovery and ensure all applicable damages are pursued.
Please take a moment to watch this video from our clients to understand our commitment to providing compassionate guidance, relentless advocacy, and exceptional legal representation during some of life’s most difficult moments.
How a Texas Tire Blowout Lawyer Can Help
Tire blowout cases are complex. Proving liability may involve going up against powerful tire manufacturers, large trucking companies, or government agencies. At Varghese Summersett, our team has the experience, resources, and tenacity to handle these challenges.
We don’t just investigate the accident; we uncover the underlying cause. Was it a recalled tire? Did a company cut corners on maintenance? Was the tire defect hidden from regulators? We dig deep, and we don’t back down.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a tire blowout, contact Varghese Summersett for a free, no-obligation consultation. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win.
With convenient locations across Texas, we’re ready to help wherever you are. We serve clients in Fort Worth, Dallas, Southlake, Houston, and the surrounding areas. Call 817-203-2220 today.
