Blowouts and Blame: Who May Be Responsible When a Defective Tire Causes a Florida Car Accident

A tire blowout at highway speed can send a vehicle into a skid or rollover within seconds, and the aftermath often leaves more questions than answers. Was the tire simply worn out, or did it fail because of how it was designed or manufactured. That question can determine who may ultimately bear responsibility for the crash. Our Orlando product liability attorneys have seen how quickly a routine highway drive can turn into a catastrophic accident when a tire fails unexpectedly.

Tread Separation and Manufacturing Defects

Tires are engineered to withstand heat, pressure, and constant flexing, but that engineering can fail in several ways. Tread separation, where the outer layer of the tire peels away from the internal structure, is one of the most common and dangerous tire failures, particularly at highway speeds. This can result from a manufacturing defect, the use of substandard materials, or a design that does not adequately account for heat buildup over time.

More Than One Party May Share Responsibility

A defective tire case is rarely limited to a single company. The tire manufacturer, a component supplier, the retailer that sold or installed the tire, and even the vehicle manufacturer if the tire was original equipment, may all play a role in how liability is ultimately assessed. Maintenance records, purchase history, and the tire’s manufacturing codes often become important pieces of evidence in sorting out who was involved at each stage.

Florida’s Time Limits on Product Liability Claims

Florida law places outer limits on how long a products liability claim can be pursued, separate from the deadline tied to the date of the accident itself. Under Fla. Stat. § 95.031, most products are subject to a twelve-year statute of repose measured from the date the product was first delivered to its original purchaser, meaning claims involving very old tires can face additional hurdles regardless of when the failure occurred. Because these timing rules can be complicated, it is worth having the specific facts of a tire failure reviewed promptly.

Preserving the Evidence After a Tire-Related Crash

The tire involved in a crash is often the single most important piece of evidence available, and it can be discarded, lost, or repaired over before its condition is ever documented. Photographing the tire and the vehicle, noting the tire’s brand and identification numbers, and keeping any purchase or installation receipts can help preserve the record of what happened. Once a tire is thrown away or the vehicle is repaired, that opportunity may be gone permanently.

Let Us Review What Happened

If a tire failure played a role in your accident, understanding who may be responsible often requires a closer look at the tire itself, its manufacturing history, and how it was maintained. We invite you to contact The Pendas Law Firm so we can begin reviewing the details of your case. From our Orlando office and our locations in West Palm Beach, Ocala, Tampa, Bradenton, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, and Daytona Beach, our team is ready to help.

Source:

flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2022/95.031