An automobile operator generally comes to the conclusion that they have experienced a blow out (as compared to a de-tread) when a sudden, loud, burst occurs, followed by a flapping or grinding noise coming from the front or rear of the vehicle. A common misconception about blowouts is that too much internal pressure causes them. It is in fact the complete opposite. Blowouts generally occur because of the lack of pressure inside of the tire, which allows the rubber to flex beyond its elastic limits. This causes the rubber to overheat, thus, losing its bond to the internal fabric and steel reinforcement. Tires use steel bands inside the tire’s rubber tread in order to provide cohesiveness and strength, and hold the tire together. A tire’s wedge is a triangular, or “wedge,” shaped band of rubber that runs long both ends of the tire’s steel belts. It’s role is to create a barrier – or buffer – between the metal bands that are required to give the tire strength, and the tire’s rubber walls that are required to hold the tire together.
Tire blowouts are largely the result of a vehicle that has been considerably weighed down, a substantial laceration that causes rapid and unexpected air loss, or an undetected puncture, which allows the tire to slowly lose air over time. Blowouts are typically caused by anything that allows air to escape the tire, which leads to the failure of support to the vehicle. Because a tire blowout is typically extremely sudden and tremendously unexpected, it is very difficult for an automobile operator to sustain suitable control of the vehicle. What a driver does when a blowout occurs can be the difference between a modest inconvenience and a deadly tragedy.
The tread of a tire refers to the rubber on its perimeter that makes contact with the ground. When a tire violently loses its tread (more specifically, when there is a swift separation of the tread from the main body of the tire), a rapid decrease in tire pressure occurs, yet the main body of the tire stays intact. When a tire tread separation occurs, the disproportion of the moderately (or brutally) de-treaded tire causes the tire to bobble, or “hop” while the tire remains inflated. This generates severe loss of control and inability to use safe turning movements for the driver.
There are many reasons as to why tire de-tread occurs, yet research has found that the majority of these tire failures are caused by manufacturing defects. A a tire-manufacturing defect can occur when the necessary steel belts are not laid flatly, allowing air pockets to form between them. These air pockets also prevent bonding of the steel belts, resulting in a similarly weak tire because the two belts are not acting together.
The average American consumer is unaware of the grossly fatal consequences that a defective tire may have. When tire professionals fall down on the job, they need to be held responsible for their lapse in effort. If a tire company fails to require their professionals to properly inspect their product, this corporate irresponsibility may lead to catastrophic roadway accidents.
Written by:
Karleigh Zolinski
Approved by Francisco Guerra, IV
Watts Guerra LLP
4 Dominion Drive, Bldg 3, Suite 100
San Antonio, Texas 78257
Phone (210) 447-0500
© Watts Guerra LLP 2015
