Are you dealing with the aftermath of a tire blowout accident in Atlanta and wondering what to do next? Let an Atlanta defective tire accident lawyer from Bayuk Pratt assist you. Our law firm has the know-how to handle your claim effectively and get you the compensation you need.
Start your journey toward recovery with a legal team that cares. Reach out to Bayuk Pratt today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Benefits of Hiring an Atlanta Attorney for Your Defective Tire Claim
The team at Bayuk Pratt, led by founders Frank Bayuk and Bradley Pratt, is here to provide a unique edge for your tire blowout accident claim. With their history as senior partners at some of the world’s largest and most prestigious defense law firms, our founders have an insider’s understanding of how insurance companies work to avoid responsibility. This experience equips them with the knowledge to effectively counteract insurance companies’ tactics.
If you were injured in a tire blowout accident, the attorneys at Bayuk Pratt will know how to prove a tire defect and get you the compensation you deserve by:
- Evaluating the details of your case to determine the ideal legal strategy
- Gathering evidence to support your claim, including accident reports and witness statements
- Calculating the full extent of your losses to demand adequate compensation
- Consulting with tire design and manufacturing experts to prove the defect
- Coordinating with medical professionals to document the extent of your injuries
- Identifying all potentially liable parties, including manufacturers and retailers
- Filing the necessary legal paperwork within the deadlines
- Negotiating with the insurance companies to secure a fair settlement
- Reviewing settlement offers to ensure they meet your needs
- Representing you in court, if necessary, to fight for your rights
Compensation You Could Recover in an Atlanta Defective Tire Claim
If you sustain injuries in a tire blowout accident due to a defective tire, you can file a product liability claim to seek compensation for the harm you suffered. Depending on your situation, you could demand compensation for:
- Medical expenses for treatment related to the accident
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
- Future medical bills for ongoing care and rehabilitation
- Lost wages if you cannot work because of your injuries
- Loss of future earning capacity due to the long-term effects of your injuries
- Pain and suffering caused by the accident
- Loss of enjoyment of life if you can’t participate in activities you once enjoyed
- The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle
Parties Who Could Be Held Liable for a Tire Blowout
When a defective tire accident happens because of a blowout, it’s not always just the tire manufacturer who might be responsible. Several different parties could share defective tire accident liability, such as:
- Tire Manufacturers – Many popular tire manufacturers, such as Goodyear, Continental, Michelin, and Firestone, have active recalls for their tires. Any of these parties could be liable if the accident was due to a flaw in the tire’s design or because the tire was of poor quality.
- Tire Retailers – The store that sold the tire could also be responsible. If they sold a tire that was old or improperly stored, causing it to be more likely to fail, they could share in the liability. This includes both big box stores and small tire shops.
- Vehicle Manufacturers – Sometimes, the way a vehicle is designed or assembled can contribute to a tire’s failure. If the vehicle manufacturer did not properly match the tires to the vehicle’s specifications or failed to install them correctly, they might be liable.
- Used Tire Sellers – Sellers of used tires must ensure that the products they sell are safe. If they sell a tire with known defects or one that is too worn to be safe, they could be responsible for any accidents that occur as a result.
- Tire Installers – The service center or mechanic that installed the tire could be liable, too. If they installed the tire improperly or didn’t notice a defect they should have corrected, their actions could have contributed to the accident.
- Maintenance Providers – Regular maintenance is essential for vehicle safety. If a maintenance service provider failed to identify a tire defect during routine checks or performed shoddy maintenance work that led to the tire’s failure, they could be liable.
How Long Do You Have to File a Defective Tire Lawsuit in Georgia?
If you’re considering filing a lawsuit because of a defective tire, you should know that Georgia law gives you two years to sue. This means if a defective tire caused an accident that hurt you, you have two years from the accident date to start your lawsuit.
It’s important not to wait too long because the court will likely refuse to hear your case if you try to file your lawsuit after these deadlines. This is why acting quickly and talking to a lawyer from Bayuk Pratt as soon as possible after the accident is critical. Your attorney can get everything done on time and improve your chances of securing fair compensation.
What Causes Tire Blowouts in Atlanta?
Tire blowouts are often frightening experiences that can lead to accidents and cause serious injuries. It’s common to think of tire blowouts as just bad luck, but many times, there are specific reasons behind them. Frequent causes of tire blowouts in Atlanta include:
- Defective Tire Design – If a tire’s design is flawed, it might be prone to failure under normal driving conditions, even with proper inflation and maintenance.
- Poor Manufacturing – Tires that are poorly made, perhaps due to substandard materials or manufacturing errors, can lead to blowouts.
- Improper Tire Installation – If a service center installs tires incorrectly, such as by failing to secure them properly to the vehicle, blowouts can result.
- Negligent Inspection – Service providers are responsible for conducting thorough maintenance checks. Blowouts can happen if they fail to spot or address tire wear or damage.
- Faulty Repair Work – Tires can fail if they have been repaired improperly, such as if a repair facility sealed a large puncture that warranted a replacement.
- Inadequate Road Maintenance – If municipalities or other entities fail to conduct proper road maintenance, tire blowouts can result from poor conditions like large potholes.
- Faulty Vehicle Design – If a vehicle’s design leads to excessive pressure on the tires, it can cause them to blow out even if they are inflated and maintained correctly.
What Types of Accidents Result from Tire Blowouts?
When a tire blowout happens, it can lead to several types of accidents. These accidents can range from minor to severe, affecting not just the driver of the vehicle with the tire problem but also other road users nearby. Common types of accidents that can result from tire blowouts include:
- Single-vehicle collisions against fixed objects
- Head-on collisions with oncoming traffic
- Rear-end collisions caused by sudden stopping
- Side-swipe accidents with vehicles in adjacent lanes
- Multi-car pile-ups
- Rollovers, especially with SUVs and trucks
- Accidents caused by swerving to avoid debris
- Loss of vehicle control accidents
Potential Injuries in a Tire Defect Accident
Tire defect accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries affecting almost any part of the body, depending on the nature of the accident and how it unfolds. Here are some examples of potential injuries from tire defect accidents:
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Punctured lungs
- Internal bleeding
- Burns
- Eye injuries
- Dental injuries
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Psychological injuries
What to Do If You Have Experienced a Tire Blowout in Atlanta
In the aftermath of an Atlanta tire blowout accident, there are several steps you should take to get the care you need and lay the groundwork for potential legal claims. Here’s what you should do:
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine.
- Follow all treatment plans and advice your doctor gives you.
- Keep all your medical appointments and follow-up visits.
- Save all medical bills and receipts related to your treatment.
- Write down everything you remember about the accident as soon as possible.
- Document any symptoms or pain you experience after the accident.
- Take photos of your injuries.
- Collect contact information from any witnesses.
- Take detailed photos of your vehicle’s damage.
- Store the damaged tire, if possible, as evidence.
- Contact a lawyer with experience handling defective tire claims.
- Inform your insurance company about the accident.
- Get a copy of the accident report for your records.
- Avoid discussing the details of the accident on social media.
- Gather evidence of lost wages if you miss work due to your injuries.
- Provide your lawyer with all the evidence you have collected.
- Do not sign any documents or accept any offers without consulting your lawyer.