California Injury Blog
A tire blowout reportedly caused a Sunnyvale woman to lose control of her car that veered off Highway 85 in Cupertino. The accident cost the woman her left arm, according to a news report in the Sunnyvale Sun. The car rolled off a freeway embankment, the article said.
The accident occurred when the woman’s Toyota Celica’s left rear tire blew causing her to lose control of the vehicle. The crash cut the woman’s left arm above the elbow and left her trapped upside down in the car until emergency crews were able to get her out, the newspaper reported. She then had to be airlifted to the local hospital. Officials said that the tire that blew out appeared to be a spare tire.
Defective tires are among the most common causes for drivers to lose control of their vehicles on the freeway. When a tire suddenly blows out or loses its tire tread, the vehicle may go out of control, especially while traveling at freeway speed.
In this case, it is not clear whether the tire was defective or if there was any other problem. But the accident victim and her family should make every effort to preserve what is left of the tire. A competent and experienced personal injury firm that handles product liability cases will be able to follow through with an independent investigation and determine whether the accident leading to the woman’s injuries was in fact caused by a defective product.
This is also a good time to remind ourselves about the importance of tire maintenance. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), properly maintained tires improve the steering, stopping, traction and load-carrying capability of your vehicle. Underinflated tires and overloaded vehicles are usually a major cause of tire failure as well.
If the tire is found to have been faulty, then the tire company may be held liable for the woman’s injuries. If you or a loved one has been the victim of an auto accident and if you suspect it involved a defective product, call Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys with your questions. We may be able to help you.