Michigan Truck Tire Blowout Accident: What You Need To Know

What is a truck tire blowout accident?

A truck tire blowout accident occurs when a commercial vehicle’s tire suddenly ruptures or fails, causing the driver to lose control and strike other vehicles. These crashes are almost always preventable and caused by negligent maintenance, under-inflation, tread separation, or overloading. Injured victims may recover No-Fault PIP benefits and sue the transportation company for pain and suffering under MCL 500.3135.

This type of incident occurs when a tire suddenly deflates or, more often, completely or partially comes apart. Frequently, the tire or debris left behind can cause a crash with massive injuries to unfortunate passersby who are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Many of these crashes cause the driver to lose control and strike another vehicle. A steer tire blowout accident, for example, can cause a semi truck or tractor-trailer to swerve into another lane, drive into oncoming traffic, or rollover.

To learn more, please check out this video:

Truck tire blowout accidents are among some of the worst semi and tractor trailer crash cases that I have litigated in Michigan. The results are often deadly. And when they are not, the victims are usually left with catastrophic injuries. The key to understanding these types of cases is that they are almost always preventable.

I’ve now litigated 6 tragic truck tire blowout accident cases, which is almost certainly more than any other lawyer in Michigan. In Nunez vs. Utica Transit Mix, I represented the family of a wonderful man, a husband and father, who suffered a tragic and avoidable death because a commercial tractor trailer blew a steer tire. While the company claimed this was an unforeseeable event, the real cause was that the tire was in a defective and dangerous condition.

Preventing these types of tractor trailer crashes is also a subject that I have lectured on at conferences, teaching other lawyers how to investigate and litigate these cases. They do tend to be expert intensive and expensive, but these are not your usual types of cases. The defense is almost always some version that these tires coming loose or blowing out from semis and injuring and killing others in the roadway are an unforeseeable “act of God” – a sudden emergency legal defense that the lawyers defending these cases will raise in hopes of avoiding responsibility for the crash.

In fact, nothing could be farther from the truth.

These types of crashes are almost always preventable.

What are the common causes of truck tire blowout accidents?

The most common causes of truck tire blowout accidents include: (1) under-inflation of tires; (2) worn down or “treadburn” tires; (3) tread separation; (4) driving on a spare; (5) a manufacturing defect in the tire or tread; (6) negligent maintenance and repair; and (7) overloading or excessive load.

Here are more details about these causes:

• Under-inflation – When there is not enough air in a tire, it can overheat and explode.
• “Treadburn” – This term describes the phenomenon that occurs when a tire tread that is burnt or worn overheats and breaks down as a result of the friction that is generated from driving on the road.
• Tread separation – Tread separation causes a tire to break apart and scatter over the freeway when the metal and rubber inside of a tire become disconnected from each other.
• Spare tire – Since semis and tractor trailers go through tires so often, it is possible that they will be riding on a spare. However, spares are not designed for long-term, permanent use and if a spare is too old, it could rot, leading it to break apart.

What should I do immediately after a truck tire blowout accident in Michigan?

After a truck tire blowout accident in Michigan, move to a safe location if possible and call 911 to report the crash and request medical help. Seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries are not obvious. If it is safe, document the scene by taking photos of the vehicles, tire debris, road conditions, and any visible damage. Collect witness and driver information and obtain the police report number. Avoid admitting fault or making detailed statements about what caused the crash.

Notify your insurance company as required, but avoid giving recorded statements before understanding your rights. Preserve any evidence, including damaged clothing and vehicle parts, and consult a qualified attorney to evaluate liability and preserve critical evidence such as the vehicle’s maintenance and inspection records.

Who is liable for vehicle damage caused by tractor trailer tire debris?

If tire debris hit your car, then the damage could be paid for through your collision coverage and/or through a mini tort claim against the company that owns the vehicle. The mini tort may help pay for your collision deductible or pay for repairs directly if you do not have collision coverage.

The mini tort only covers vehicle damage that is not covered by insurance and it limits a person’s recovery to $3,000. Plus, a person making a mini tort claim for vehicle damage caused by a truck tire blowout accident will need to be able to prove that he or she had car insurance at the time of the crash.

Can I sue if injured in a truck tire blowout accident in Michigan?

Yes. You can sue if another party’s negligence caused the truck tire blowout accident in Michigan and your injuries meet the state’s serious impairment threshold under MCL 500.3135. Potential defendants include the commercial driver, transportation company, maintenance provider, or tire manufacturer, depending on the cause of the crash.

To bring a successful claim, you generally need evidence showing what caused the tire failure and who was responsible, such as maintenance and inspection records, black box data, witness statements, and the condition of the tire itself. Even if you receive Michigan no-fault PIP benefits for medical bills and lost wages, a separate lawsuit may still be available for pain and suffering if the legal threshold is met.

Who can be liable for a truck tire blowout accident in Michigan?

In a Michigan commercial big rig tire blowout accident, liability may fall on the commercial truck driver for failing to inspect or safely operate the vehicle, the transportation company for negligent maintenance or supervision, a maintenance or repair provider for improper servicing, or the tire manufacturer or distributor if the tire was defective. In some cases, other third parties may share fault if their actions contributed to the crash.

Determining liability typically requires a detailed investigation of maintenance records, inspection logs, tire condition, and the vehicle’s operating history. Evidence such as prior complaints, missed inspections, overheating, or tread separation can help establish whether the failure resulted from negligence, improper maintenance, or a manufacturing defect. Because multiple parties may have contributed to the crash, fault is often divided based on each party’s share of responsibility under Michigan’s comparative fault rules.

There are federal and state regulations that require companies and owners to safely maintain the tires on their vehicles. There are also safety regulations that require inspection and maintenance to assess and monitor tire inflation, tire tread depth, and mileage on the tires. This is important because often the defense will dispute whether there is any industry guidance regarding what the driver is required to do to “see” if the hub or axle seals are leaking or how bare the tire tread is. In this regard, the JJ Keller training videos on pre- and post-trip inspection are very helpful on what a driver must do to detect a dangerous condition before the tire blows. The CDL Manual also requires that drivers:

“See that hub oil/grease seals and axle seals are not leaking and, if the wheel has a sight glass, oil level is adequate.”

Lawyers and their experts should also know how to use 49 CFR 383 and to apply the CDL Manual standards to these types of crashes.

What types of compensation can I recover after a truck tire blowout accident in Michigan?

After a truck tire blowout accident in Michigan, you can recover no-fault PIP benefits for medical expenses, lost wages, and replacement services, regardless of fault. If another party is liable and your injuries meet the serious impairment threshold under MCL 500.3135, you may also recover pain and suffering damages, along with excess medical costs and future wage loss not covered by PIP.

Recovery typically depends on identifying all responsible parties and proving how the tire failure occurred, such as negligent maintenance, improper inspection, or a defective tire. Because our state is a no-fault state, your PIP insurer pays initial economic losses, but a separate third-party claim is required to pursue full compensation from the at-fault driver, transportation company, or other liable entities.

How do I recover No-Fault benefits?

To recover Michigan No-Fault benefits, you must file an application for No-Fault benefits – which is also called your “written notice of injury” – with the responsible car insurance company within one (1) year after the crash. (MCL 500.3145(1) and (4))

If you fail to file your application on time – within ONE YEAR from the date of the crash – then you will forever lose any benefits to which you might be entitled.

After this type of crash in Michigan, No-Fault PIP benefits will pay for your medical expenses, your lost wages if your injuries have disabled you from returning to work, to reimburse you for mileage and transportation costs associated with traveling to and from your medical appointments, your cost for replacement services (of household chores and tasks) and for your attendant care benefits.

How do I recover pain and suffering compensation after a truck tire blowout accident in Michigan?

To recover pain and suffering compensation after a truck tire blowout accident in Michigan, you must bring a third-party claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party and prove that their negligence caused the crash and that your injuries meet our state’s “serious impairment of body function” threshold under MCL 500.3135. Compensation is based on evidence showing liability and the extent of your injuries, including medical records, treatment history, and documentation of how the injuries affect your daily life.

Even if you are receiving No-Fault PIP benefits for medical bills and lost wages, pain and suffering is only available through a separate liability claim against the responsible party. Building that claim typically requires investigating the cause of the tire failure—such as negligent maintenance, driver inspection failures, or a defective tire—and preserving key evidence like inspection logs, maintenance records, and crash data.

How long do I have to sue?

In Michigan, you generally have 3 years from the date of a truck tire blowout accident to file a lawsuit for personal injury or wrongful death under MCL 600.5805(2). This deadline applies to claims against the commercial driver, transportation company, maintenance provider, or tire manufacturer for negligence or product liability.

Separate deadlines may apply to Michigan no-fault PIP benefits, which generally require written notice and filing within 1 year under MCL 500.3145, depending on the type of benefit being claimed.

Missing these deadlines can bar your right to recover compensation, even if your case is strong. Because evidence in these types of commercial tractor trailer crash cases—such as inspection logs, maintenance records, and black box data—can be lost or overwritten quickly, it is important to hire a lawyer to investigate and preserve evidence as soon as possible after the crash.

Do I need a lawyer?

In Michigan, you are not legally required to hire a lawyer for a truck tire blowout accident, but it is strongly recommended if you were injured. These cases often involve multiple potentially liable parties—such as the commercial driver, transportation company, maintenance provider, or tire manufacturer—and require proving negligence or a product defect to recover full compensation beyond no-fault benefits.

A lawyer can investigate the cause of the crash, preserve critical evidence like inspection and maintenance records, handle insurance companies, and determine whether your injuries meet our state’s serious impairment threshold for a pain and suffering claim.

How to find a lawyer for my crash case?

To find a lawyer for a truck tire blowout accident in Michigan, look for a personal injury attorney who specifically handles tractor trailer and commercial vehicle cases and has experience with negligence and product liability claims. Review their case results, client reviews, and whether they regularly handle big rig crash litigation rather than general personal injury work.

You can also consult reputable legal directories, state bar referral services, or firms that focus on Michigan auto and tractor trailer crash cases. Once you identify potential attorneys, schedule consultations to ask about experience with transportation companies, tire failure cases, and their approach to investigating maintenance and defect issues.

Why choose the truck accident lawyers at Michigan Auto Law for my tire blowout case?

When navigating the complexities of a commercial truck tire blowout accident, experience is not just an advantage—it is a necessity. Michigan Auto Law has dedicated over 50 years to tractor-trailer and commercial vehicle litigation, making us the only law firm in the state with multiple attorneys holding board certifications in this area of law National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA). Our singular focus on this area allows us to navigate the unique regulatory challenges and insurance hurdles that are often missed by general personal injury practices. This deep-seated expertise is why we have secured more million-dollar settlements and verdicts in this field than any other firm in the state, including the largest tractor-trailer crash settlement in state history. When you consult with our team, you are backed by a nationally recognized reputation, including the induction of Attorney Steven M. Gursten into the American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group’s “Hall of Fame.”

Beyond our track record of results, our firm is defined by a commitment to aggressive advocacy and compassionate client service. Transportation companies and insurance defense counsel across the state recognize our firm as one that refuses to settle for anything less than the full value of a case, and our consistent readiness to go to trial often accelerates the resolution of claims. However, we believe that legal excellence must be matched by ethical standards and genuine client care. This approach has earned us more than 3,000 five-star reviews from clients who value our responsiveness and dignity. By choosing our law firm, you are consulting with attorneys who possess the specific litigation focus required to maximize your settlement and hold negligent parties fully accountable.

Injured in a truck tire blowout accident in Michigan? Call our attorneys now for a free consultation!

If you were injured in a commercial tractor trailer tire blowout crash in Michigan, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with one of our experienced truck accident lawyers. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.

Michigan Auto Law is Michigan’s largest and most successful law firm that specializes exclusively in helping people who have been injured in automobile crashes.

Our secret? Our attorneys deliberately handle fewer cases than other personal injury law firms. This allows us to focus more time and attention on our cases.

Unlike other law firms, our attorneys are never too busy to promptly return phone calls and answer questions. 

We have more than 3,000 5-Star reviews that reflect this care and attention to detail.

More importantly, this client-focused approach leads to better and faster settlements for our clients. Michigan Auto Law has recovered more million-dollar settlements and trial verdicts for motor vehicle crashes than any other lawyer or law firm in Michigan. We’ve also recovered the highest ever reported truck crash and auto crash settlement in the state.

Call now so we can start making a real difference for you.

Legally Reviewed By

Written By

Steve M. Gursten, Attorney,
License#: P53632

Steven Gursten, attorney at Michigan Auto Law and one of the most successful auto accident attorneys in Michigan. Michigan Auto Law represents people seriously injured in car, truck, motorcycle, and bus accidents, including catastrophic injury, traumatic brain injury, and No-Fault insurance cases. Steven has recovered the largest reported auto and truck accident settlement of any Michigan lawyer, and has been named Michigan Lawyer of the Year and a Top 50 Michigan Super Lawyer.

Read Steven Gursten’s full attorney profile

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Legally Reviewed by Todd Berg, Attorney

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. See our Community Guidelines.