Tire Tread Separation and Blowouts: When a Crash Raises Product Liability Concerns

What drivers and families should know about tire failures

Tire failures often occur without warning and can escalate quickly. Understanding how these events happen and what may be behind them is an important first step.

The tire failures most often linked to serious crashes

Tread separation

This occurs when the outer tread detaches from the tire’s internal structure. It can lead to:

• Sudden loss of traction and control
• Vehicle instability at highway speeds
• Increased risk of rollover, especially in larger vehicles

Blowouts

A blowout involves rapid air loss, often due to structural weakness or overheating. These events can cause:

• Immediate steering difficulty
• Swerving or spinning
• Collisions with other vehicles or roadside hazards

Common failure points in tire manufacturing and design

After a tire failure, attention often turns to driver behavior or maintenance. While factors like underinflation or overloading can contribute, many cases involve broader concerns.

Manufacturing defects

Problems during production can weaken a tire and increase the risk of failure. Issues such as improper bonding between internal layers, contamination during the manufacturing process, or inconsistent curing and temperature control can compromise the structural integrity of the tire before it ever reaches the road.

Design limitations

Some tire failures may stem from how the product was designed. Tread patterns that trap heat and increase stress, materials that degrade more quickly under normal use, or designs that lack sufficient durability for intended vehicle loads can all contribute to premature failure under expected driving conditions.

Quality control and testing issues

Even well-designed tires can fail if proper oversight is lacking. Inadequate product testing before release, failure to recognize patterns in warranty claims, or a lack of corrective action after early warning signs may allow defective tires to remain in circulation longer than they should.

The standards that often matter in tire defect cases

Several safety and regulatory frameworks may be relevant when evaluating these claims:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigations and recalls
• Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for tire performance
• Industry testing and quality assurance protocols
• Manufacturer specifications and warnings

These standards can help determine whether a tire met expected safety requirements and whether failures could have been prevented.

What to do after a suspected tire failure

If you or a loved one has been involved in a crash involving a possible tire defect, early steps can help preserve important information. It is important to keep the tire and vehicle in their post-accident condition if possible and avoid repairs or disposal before inspection. Taking photographs of the tire, vehicle damage, and accident scene can also be helpful. Gathering documentation is another key step, including obtaining accident reports and repair records, identifying the tire brand, model, and purchase history, and keeping records of maintenance and inspections. It is also important to track the timeline by noting when the failure occurred and the driving conditions at the time, documenting any prior issues with the tire, and recording communications with insurers or investigators.

Talk to a legal team before evidence is lost

Tire defect cases often depend on physical evidence and internal records that may not be available for long. Early evaluation can help determine what happened and whether preventable risks were involved.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving a suspected tire tread separation or blowout, McEldrew Purtell can help you understand your options and evaluate the circumstances. Contact our team today for a free consultation.