Faulty or defective tires are always a powder keg. In particular, they can easily cause you to lose control of the car and go crashing into other vehicles, buildings, people, or even ditches. 

Even worse, there’s little you can do to prevent an accident since the tires can fail without warning.

Before we get to the legal options available (if you are caught up in an accident involving defective tires), we must first look at how such tires cause accidents.

Possible Causes of Defective Tires

There are so many potential causes of defects in tires. The first and increasingly common cause is manufacturer errors. These are typically caused by poor designs or substandard materials in manufacturing. 

The tires could collapse or blow up when exposed to pressure in such a scenario. In that case, the manufacturer will be legally liable as their negligence was the leading cause of the accident.

Nonetheless, the most common cause of tire defects is owner negligence. While it is admittedly expensive to replace a set of tires when they get worn, keeping them on can be even more costly. 

This is especially so when the tires are worn, as they can become bald and subsequently stop responding well to braking. In such a scenario, you could be found negligent and liable for any accident. 

What if Defective Tires in Someone Else’s Vehicle Are the Cause of Accident?

If you get into an accident caused by another person’s faulty tires, you can file a personal injury claim against them or against the company that sold the tires. 

For instance, if the tires were bald at the time of the collision, you may be able to argue that the driver knew about it and their failure to replace the tires amounts to negligence. Thus, the driver or the car owner will be made to compensate you.

If a structural defect caused the accident, suing the manufacturer may be an option. In some cases, you may even be able to file a claim against both the manufacturer and the driver. 

Financial Damages Obtainable

If you are involved in car accidents – where defective tires are to blame – you can file for more or less the same type of financial compensation as victims of other types of crashes. 

These include: 

• The costs of all treatments you needed to recover from the injury
• The wages and income you lost while you were recuperating from injuries you suffered in the accident
• A reasonable redress for the physical pain and discomfort and the emotional distress you went through after the accident
• Compensation for any psychological disorders arising from the accident, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 
• Compensation for any permanent scars and disfigurement caused by injuries from the crash

The specific damages you can viably seek will naturally depend on the circumstances of the accident in question. However, having a car accident attorney on your side is arguably the best way to boost your chances of success in any claim you file.