There are many reasons why a bicycle could crash. One is the failure of a part or piece of equipment, such as the tires. A tire blowout is different from a flat tire. A blowout is abrupt and explosive, creating a frightening experience for a biker, such as an accident and serious injuries. Understanding the most common causes of tire blowout bicycle accidents can help you determine whether you have grounds for a bicycle accident claim in Dallas.
Poor Bicycle Maintenance
The most common cause of a bicycle tire blowout is wear and tear on the tire. Even the normal use of a bicycle could lead to a blowout in some circumstances. Repeatedly using a bicycle brake, for example, can heat the rims of the tire and elevate the temperature of the tire tube. This can cause the tube to expand and explode. However, factors such as a low-quality tire, incorrect tire pressure, improper tire installation and a lack of bicycle maintenance can increase the risk of a tire blowout.
It is the owner of the bicycle’s responsibility to consistently inspect, maintain and repair the bicycle to make sure that it is in proper working order. This includes inspecting and maintaining the tires. If you were injured in a blowout accident while on someone else’s bicycle, including a rented bike, electric bicycle or company bike, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim against the owner for negligent (careless) maintenance. This could be a possibility if poor tire maintenance, an old tire in need of replacing or an overinflated tire caused the blowout.
Tire Defects
Many tire blowouts on both motor vehicles and bicycles trace back to defects with the tire. A product defect, such as an issue in how the tire was designed, made or marketed, can increase the risk of the tire popping or exploding while in use on a bicycle. If the tread was defectively manufactured to wear down faster on one tire than the other, for example, the tire may become worn down or bald faster than it should, eventually tearing apart and blowing out in transit.
If a tire contains a defect that makes it more prone to a blowout than a typical bicycle tire, an injured bicycle accident victim may have grounds to file a product liability claim against the tire manufacturer or distributor. If your lawyer can prove that the tire had a defect and that this is what caused the crash, you will not need proof of negligence to secure financial compensation. This is called the strict product liability law. It is in place to protect consumers from large and powerful manufacturers.
Potholes and Road Hazards
A tire may suddenly release all of its air at once if it gets tripped or punctured by a roadway hazard or defect. If the bicycle tire hits a pothole, for example, this could pop the tire and cause a blowout. You may have grounds to file a premises liability case if a property defect caused or contributed to your bicycle tire blowout accident in Dallas. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure the reasonable safety of a public road, and a property owner’s responsibility on private property.
Were You Injured in a Bicycle Tire Blowout Accident?
Most of the top causes of tire blowouts are preventable. They trace back to human error, such as defectively designed tires, poor installation or lack of bicycle maintenance. If you or a loved one gets injured in a bicycle tire blowout accident in Dallas, contact an attorney to discuss your legal options. You may have grounds to file an insurance claim or lawsuit in pursuit of financial compensation for your related medical bills, bicycle repairs and other losses. An experienced attorney can investigate your accident, determine the cause of the tire blowout and assist you throughout the claims process.
