Salt Lake City Tire Blow Out Overview

Introduction.  A tire blowout in Salt Lake City can happen at any time, whether on a major interstate like I-15 or on any of the roads in and around the Salt Lake City area.  Blowouts happen when the tire tread separates, caused by a rapid decrease in the tire's pressure.  This kind of situation often leads to loss of control and subsequent vehicle rollover. 

Decrease in tire pressure.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), underinflation causes 20 percent of flat tires and blowouts.  An underinflated tire can overheat and burst, leading to injuries and, in some cases, death.  But an underinflated tire may be the result of a manufacturing defect.

Tire defects.  In recent years, several tire manufacturers have announced major tire recalls, including Cooper, Dunlop, Firestone, General, Goodyear, Universal-Goodrich-Michelin, and Chinese manufacturers of the Compass, Telluride, Westlake, and YKS brands.  Their manufacturing processes introduced defects into the tires causing tire separation, and ulitmately, blowouts.  They failed to execute safety features to protect against blowout.  In 2009, for instance, Bridgestone Firestone recalled 127,000 tires due to insufficient tread base gauge.  The NHTSA advised that these tires, produced in 2007 and 2008, could lead to vibration and groove cracking.  Extended use of these tires could result in tread distortion or tread separation and loss of vehicle control.

Results.  Salt Lake City tire blowout cases are complex and the tire companies fight hard.  At Robert B. Sykes & Associates, P.C. we have successfully litigated several cases and achieved $1,000,000+ results for victims of serious injury throughout Utah.  We are prepared to fight hard for justice in this area, and are willing to try cases in court if fair settlements are not offered. 

Tire blowout accident in Salt Lake City

What to Do? If you have been involved in an accident caused by tire blow out in Salt Lake City, take the following steps:

• Remain calm
• Make sure you pull off the road
• Call 911 for help
• Use your cell phone to take photos of the accident scene, of the vehicles involved, and of the tire
• Wait for the police to arrive and be sure to get a copy of the police report
• Do not allow the tire to be discarded
• Seek immediate medical attention
• Get legal help

If you think tire failure may have caused your Salt Lake City tire blowout accident, save the tire. Do not discard it.  Also, try to preserve the vehicle.  Give the product liability lawyers at Robert B. Sykes & Associates, P.C. a call at (801) 990-5759 or contact us by e-mail for a free initial evaluation of your case.