A tire blowout crash in Orlando can happen in a split second. One moment you are driving normally; the next, a sudden burst sends your car veering out of control. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire-related crashes cause an estimated 414 fatalities, more than 10,000 injuries, and nearly 78,000 accidents every year in the United States. Florida’s highways — with heavy traffic, high speeds, and scorching heat that degrades rubber — make blowout crashes a real and serious danger. If you were hurt in a tire blowout accident in Orlando, you may have more legal options than you realize.
What Causes Tire Blowout Crashes?
Blowouts rarely come out of nowhere. Most are the result of one or more preventable problems. Common causes include:
- Underinflated or overinflated tires
- Worn or bald tread
- Manufacturing defects in the tire itself
- Road hazards such as potholes, debris, or sharp objects
- Overloaded vehicles that put excess stress on tires
- Heat damage from driving long distances in hot weather
When a defect in the tire caused the blowout, the tire manufacturer or retailer can be held liable under product liability law. When poor road conditions contributed, a government agency responsible for road maintenance may share fault. When another driver’s overloaded or poorly maintained vehicle blew a tire and struck you, that driver’s negligence is the issue. Each of these cases requires a different legal strategy, which is why working with an experienced attorney matters.
Proving Fault in a Tire Blowout Crash
Building a strong tire blowout case requires fast action. Physical evidence disappears quickly. The blown tire itself is critical — it may show signs of a manufacturing defect, road damage, or neglect. An attorney can hire a tire expert to analyze it. Accident reconstruction specialists can also study skid marks, vehicle damage, and crash data to piece together exactly what happened.
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you were partly at fault — say, for a lane change — your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. But if you were less than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and vehicle repairs. The Orlando car accident attorneys at Martinez Manglardi know how to gather evidence quickly and identify every party responsible for your injuries, whether that is another driver, a tire company, or a truck fleet operator. Truck tire blowouts are especially dangerous — learn more about pursuing those claims on our truck accident lawyers page.
How Orlando Car Accident Attorneys Help Tire Blowout Crash Victims
After a tire blowout crash, insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by arguing that a tire blowout is just an “accident” with no clear fault. That is not always true. An experienced personal injury attorney will investigate the crash thoroughly, preserve evidence, consult experts, and hold the right parties accountable. Many tire blowout victims also suffer serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, or broken bones — injuries that deserve full compensation, not a quick settlement.
The NHTSA tire safety program recommends checking tire pressure monthly and inspecting tread regularly. Underinflated tires are three times more likely to cause a blowout, according to NHTSA data. But when another party’s failure to maintain their tires caused your crash, you should not be the one left paying the bills. Read our vehicle accident attorneys page to learn more about how we handle all types of collision claims in Central Florida.
Call 407-846-2240 for a free consultation with an Orlando car accident attorney at the Martinez Manglardi personal injury law firm. Convenient locations throughout Central Florida, including Orlando, Kissimmee, Apopka, Palm Bay, Ocala, Haines City, and Davenport.
