Who’s at fault for a crash caused by a stray tire?

Heading out for your busy day, you never expected to end up getting into a crash. When you were driving, a stray tire flew your direction, colliding with your vehicle and making you swerve into traffic. When all was said and done, you were sure that the tire came from the semi in front of you, but can they be blamed?

The truck driver could be held accountable for any damage caused by debris coming from their vehicle so long as you have their information and the police can get in touch. For instance, if you were able to get the license plate number or other identifying information, the police may be able to contact the driver to investigate further.

If it’s found that they lost a tire or had a tire blowout that caused a serious collision, then they may be found at fault for any damages or injuries.

You deserve to make a claim for compensation

Any time you’re in a crash that is caused by another person, it is possible to take action and to ask that they cover your financial losses. In this kind of case, the driver might not stop at the scene, because they may not be aware that a tire came loose or blew and hit others. Sometimes, truck drivers will pull over due to a flat or blown tire, so if they do, that’s a good time to gather information about them (especially if you were involved in a crash).

When you make your claim, you will want to show that the other driver’s tire was the cause of the collision. For instance, if you have a dashcam, you may be able to show it crossing the highway and entering your path. You might have pictures of damage to your windshield or other parts of your vehicle.

If the tire didn’t come into contact with you but caused another driver to crash into you, you may be able to hold both parties responsible or, if the truck driver can’t be found, just the you can also file a “John Doe” claim against the unknown driver. That’s something to think about as you get medical care and look into your legal options.