Car accidents happen for many reasons, including careless driving, slick roads, and poor visibility. However, a small percentage of crashes result from problems with one or more of the vehicles involved. Worn brake pads, a broken power steering pump, or a tire blowout can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and collide with someone else.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident caused by a defective tire in Lafayette, LA, we’re here to help. Our Lafayette defective tire car accident lawyer at Kenny Habetz Injury Law knows how these cases work and will work tirelessly to get you the results you need and deserve. Call us today at (337) 399-9000 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.
How Kenny Habetz Injury Law Can Help After a Defective Tire Accident in Lafayette, LA
Kenny Habetz Injury Law was founded solely to represent accident victims and other injured people in Louisiana. Our founding lawyer has successfully recovered millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards for our firm’s clients. We’re passionate about fighting for the rights of those hurt due to the negligence of others, and we’ll work hard to maximize the value of your claim.
We provide comprehensive legal assistance to our clients in Lafayette, Louisiana, including the following:
- Reviewing the incident or accident and identifying possible legal claims
- Devising a personalized legal strategy for accomplishing the client’s goals
- Filing an insurance claim and fighting to resolve it quickly and fairly
- Pursuing a lawsuit if the insurer refuses a fair settlement
The liability for a defective tire car accident can fall on many parties, from the tire manufacturer to another driver. Contact Kenny Habetz Injury Law for a free consultation with a Lafayette car accident attorney to discuss your injuries and eligibility for financial compensation.
Car Accidents Caused by Defective Tires in Louisiana
According to the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS), Lafayette Parish had 11,014 total traffic accidents in 2024. According to the CARTS car accident statistics for Lafayette Parish, 2,819 crashes caused injury or death in that year.
CARTS does not list the number of crashes caused by equipment failures like worn brakes, broken or loose lug nuts, and defective tires. However, a study by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) determined that roughly 2% of crashes result from vehicle problems.
This study also detailed that tire and wheel problems were the most common defect leading to crashes. Roughly 35% of vehicle-related crashes are caused by these essential components.
Applying these numbers to Lafayette’s crash statistics, you get the following estimates:
- Roughly 220 crashes in 2024 resulting from equipment failures
- Around 77 crashes in 2024 due to tire or wheel problems
The NHTSA study did not reveal the likelihood of people sustaining injuries in tire-related accidents. However, if you assume that they are as likely to cause injury or death as any other type of crash, about 20 of the 2,819 crashes that caused injury or death resulted from tire or wheel issues.
Causes of Defective Tire Car Accidents in Lafayette, Louisiana
Your tires are critically important to your safety because they are the only vehicle surfaces touching the ground. When one or more of your tires fail, you can lose control of your vehicle, causing you to crash into other vehicles, hit fixed structures, or run off the road. The following tire and wheel issues can cause a car accident:
- Under or over-inflation
- Manufacturing issues
- Improper installation
- Damage
You may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages after a defective tire car accident. Learn more by reaching out to us today for a free case review.
Liability for Lafayette Defective Tire Car Crashes
The liability for tire-related crashes can fall on the following parties:
Tire Manufacturer
Manufacturers are strictly liable for the injuries caused by defective products. Defects can fall into the following three categories:
- Design defects that are inherent in the product
- Manufacturing defects that are introduced at the factory
- Warning defects that result from deficient instructions
In a product liability claim, you can potentially sue anyone in the chain of distribution, from manufacturer to retailer.
Tire Store or Repair Shop
If the tire store or repair shop improperly installs or inflates the tire, they may be liable for any resulting crash. Tire and repair shops must exercise reasonable care in servicing your vehicle. When their acts fall below the standard of care, they could be liable for any resulting injuries.
Other Drivers
Some cases might involve more than one responsible party. For example, suppose the tire shop’s employees failed to fully tighten the lug nuts when they installed your tires. If a collision with another vehicle causes the wheel to pop off, leading to a rollover accident, the driver and the auto shop will share the liability.
Contact Our Lafayette Defective Tire Car Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
Defective tires can cause crashes that produce serious injuries and significant financial losses. Contact Kenny Habetz Injury Law to schedule a free consultation to learn how we can help you pursue injury compensation after your accident. Our Lafayette defective tire car accident attorney works on contingency, so we only get paid if you do.
