Tire Blowout Lawsuit

Juries have awarded millions of dollars to people who filed lawsuits after they were were injured by tire blowouts involving defective tires.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting tire blowout induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured in a truck or car accident caused by a tire blowout, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

UPDATE: Goodyear Recalls RV Tires After 95 Deaths & Serious Injuries Reported

In June 2022, after decades of lawsuits and at least 95 deaths and serious injuries, Goodyear finally agreed to recall about 173,000 G159 tires, which were commonly installed on RVs and Class A motor homes. According to lawsuits, G159 tires were only designed for urban delivery vehicles, and Goodyear knew they could get dangerously hot when used on RVs at highway speeds. G159 tires have a very high rate of tread separation and blowouts at highway speeds.

Jury Awards $1.2 Million in Tire Blowout Lawsuit

In October 2021, a jury in Mississippi awarded $1.2 million to Charles P., a mechanic who was severely injured by a tire explosion. His lawsuit alleges that Asian Tire failed to list the maximum inflation pressure on the Farm King tire’s sidewall, and as a result, he accidentally overinflated the tire. The explosion caused him to suffer an “extreme gash” on his arm, a lacerated spleen, bruised intestines, internal bleeding and an artery explosion in his arm, according to the lawsuit.

Examples of Recalls for Tire Blowout Risk

Thousands of tires have been recalled due to a risk of tire blowouts, tread separation, sudden air loss, and other defects that can cause deadly accidents. Here are a few examples:

Goodyear RV Tires (G159 Tires): Around 173,000 tires were recalled after 95 deaths and serious injuries were reported. The tires were manufactured from 1996 to 2003 and sold until 2005.
Continental Tire: Nearly 100,000 tires were recalled under brands like Continental®, General®, and Barum® due to a risk of tire blowouts.
Cooper Tire: Over 430,000 light truck tires were recalled due to sidewall bulges that could cause a sidewall blowout. The recalls cover Discoverer, Evolution, Courser, Deegan, Adventurer, Hercules, Back Country, Multi-Mile, Wild Country and Big O tires
Yokohama: Yokohama Tire recalled RY023 truck tires due to a risk of tire blowouts and tread separation, which could result in a truck accident.

Jury Awards $16 Million in Tire Blowout Lawsuit

A quadriplegic man from Ohio was awarded a $16 million jury verdict after he filed a tire blowout lawsuit against Goodyear Tire & Rubber. The 57 year-old plaintiff was paralyzed in a rollover accident after his tire blew out on a freeway in July 2012 while driving 70-mph. Click here to read more.

Can I File a Lawsuit Against the Tire Company?

Companies that manufacture tires have a responsibility to sell safe products, and when they identify problems, they must issue recalls and warn consumers. If they fail to take reasonable steps to keep you safe — and other people on the road — the victims can file lawsuits.

Lawsuits for Injuries & Accidents from Tire Blowouts

Lawsuits can be filed by drivers who lose control of their vehicle due to a blowout involving defective tires, or innocent bystanders who are the victims. In most cases, lawyers will be seeking compensation for pain and suffering, lost income, medical expenses, or any wrongful deaths.

What is a Tire Blowout?

A tire blowout is a sudden loss of air pressure in your tires, which can cause your vehicle to lose control and crash. Rollover accidents are particularly common in these types of crashes, because many vehicles with a blown-out tire will suddenly swerve.

What Causes Tire Blowouts?

Under-inflated tires (most common reason)
Defective tires due to manufacturing error
Old or worn-out tires
Uneven tread
Small leaks from punctures
Heavy loads
Road hazards (potholes, objects, nails, curbs, etc.)
Improper tire maintenance or mounting

What Happens I Have a Tire Blowout While Driving?

The first thing that happens in a tire blowout is you’ll hear a loud BOOM, followed by your vehicle suddenly jerking to one side. In a front tire blowout, you will feel it more in the vehicle’s steering. In a rear tire blowout, you will feel it more in the seat or body of the vehicle.

Why Do People Lose Control?

Tire blowouts are a terrifying experience, especially at highway speeds. Many drivers panic, overreact, and lose control of the vehicle by slamming on their brakes, or removing their foot from the pedal.

Was My Tire Blowout Accident the Manufacturer’s Fault?

Here are a few examples of tire defects and manufacturer mistakes that can cause a tire sidewall blowout:

Improper speed rating
Failing to test the tire before selling it to the public
Improper balance of compounds in the tire
Failing to stop moisture and air in the tires during the manufacturing process, resulting in weakness
Improper connections between the tire tread and ply
Bulges in the tire
Failing to prevent dirt or grease from contaminating the rubber compound
Using inadequate or outdated materials
Inadequate final inspection
Poor design

Source: utires.com, “Tire Sidewall Blowout: What Causes it and How to Deal with It” Accessed March 3, 2021.

What is a Tire Tread Separation?

The tread is the rubber on the outer part of the tire that touches the road. Tread separation is when the belts under the tire’s tread detach, which causes the tread to separate from the rest of the tire. It is most likely to occur in hot weather or at high speed, and it will frequently cause the driver to suddenly lose control of the vehicle and swerve.

Was My Tread Separation a Manufacturer Defect?

Tire manufacturers can be responsible for a tread separation and any accidents, injuries or deaths that occur as a result. Sometimes, there is a problem with the bonding process, in which the tread did not properly bond to the rest of the tire. As a driver, you might see or feel:

Cracks or cuts on the sidewall
Sidewall bulges or blisters
Hear or feel excessive vibration while driving
See uneven tread wear
See an excessively worn-out tread

Do I have a Tire Blowout Lawsuit?

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