What to Do if A Motorcycle Tire Blows Out While Riding in Alabama

Riding a motorcycle can be a fun and exciting experience. However, motorcycles can also pose a great danger – especially if their tires have been compromised by hidden damage or defects. A sudden tire blowout can make you lose control of your vehicle, putting your life and the lives of those around you in danger. Montgomery tire defect lawyer Rick Morrison invites you to keep reading as we discuss what you should do in the event of a motorcycle tire blowout in Alabama.

What Causes Motorcycle Tire Blowouts?

First and foremost, it’s important to understand why tire blowouts happen, so that they will be easier to avoid. Motorcycle tires can blow out due to several reasons. However, some causes are more prevalent. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle tire blowouts include design and manufacturing defects, low tire pressure, and poor road conditions. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can investigate the causes of the crash and who was at fault for your injuries.

Manufacturing and Design Defects

A defective tire is the result of an error in the vehicle’s tire design or manufacture. A design defect is a defect in the product’s blueprint or plan. A manufacturing error is an error that occurs while the product is being built or assembled at a manufacturing plant, such as an error that leads to bubbles, bulges, or cracks in a tire.

One of the most notorious cases of tire defects took place in the early 2000s when the Ford Motor Company had to recall millions of tires. A defect in many Ford vehicle tires caused tread separation, leading to multiple accidents.

Low Tire Pressure

Not every tire is designed with the same specifications. Further, different tires are designed to adjust to different types of terrain and weather conditions. Each type of tire requires its own manufacturer-specified air pressure or PSI (pounds per square inch). The air pressure is intended to provide stability and evenly distribute the weight of the vehicle’s frame.

When handled correctly, this should give you a smooth and enjoyable ride. However, if the tire is not properly inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications, the weight on the frame can exert excessive pressure on the tire walls, weakening them and ultimately causing a blowout. This commonly happens when mounting or demounting the tires for inspection.

Poor Road Conditions

Poorly kept roads and highways are often sites of car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. Even skilled and experienced motorcyclists have experienced explosive tire blowouts while riding along uneven, cracked, or poorly maintained roads in Alabama. Motorcycles are more sensitive to hazards on the pavement than heavier vehicles like cars and trucks, which means road defects like potholes are especially perilous for bikers and their passengers.

What Can I Do if My Tires Blow Out While Driving?

Experiencing a tire blowout while riding your motorcycle is dangerous and scary. If you ever find yourself in this situation, try to remain as calm as possible and remember the following tips: avoid slamming on the brakes, reduce your speed, try to travel in a straight line, and get to a safe place as soon as possible.

Don’t Slam the Brakes

During a tire blowout, you will likely lose control of your motorcycle. However, aggressively working the brakes can make controlling and stopping your bike very difficult. If you slam the brakes on your bike during a blowout, it can lead to tire separation and even greater loss of control. Losing control of your motorcycle can lead to a head-on collision or accidental fall from the bike. Falling on the pavement at high speeds can cause severe head trauma, paralysis, or back injuries.

Slow Down

Instead of hitting the brakes after a tire blows out, slow your motorcycle down by releasing the accelerator. Additionally, make sure you don’t downshift, as it could reduce your control of your bike. Any necessary braking should be done very carefully and as smoothly as possible.

Drive in a Straight Line

Try to avoid moving in a zig-zag pattern and keep your bike running in a straight line. You should try to maintain a straight line of motion until your vehicle comes to a stop. Additionally, you should try to avoid straightening or stiffening your arms while controlling your bike’s handlebars in order to minimize the risk of any injury.

Put Yourself in a Safe Place

Once your vehicle comes to a stop, and it is safe to do so, move your bike away from the road to avoid a potential accident. Once you are out of the path of traffic, make sure you call 9-1-1 to get yourself examined and treated for any injuries you might have sustained. Finally, you should collect as much information from the crash as possible. This information includes photos from the scene, the name of the other drivers, witness information, and other related information. All of this data can be useful when you are trying to get compensated for your injuries.

Montgomery Motorcycle Accident Attorney Handling Tire Defect Lawsuits in Alabama

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident that was caused by a defective tire or other defective motorcycle parts, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and other losses. For a free consultation about filing a motorcycle accident claim, contact the Morrison Law Firm online, or call (334) 625-6128 today to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer serving the Montgomery region.