When the cause of a crash is linked to a car accident caused by a negligent tire shop, victims often feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Tire problems are hazardous because they affect vehicle control at all times. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that tire issues contribute to nearly 11,000 crashes each year, resulting in more than 600 deaths. A defective tire, improper installation, or careless repair work can cause someone to lose power without warning, leading to devastating consequences for both the driver and other road users.
For over 29 years, Attorney Glenn Honda has helped individuals injured in accidents throughout Hawaii find justice and the financial relief they deserve. As the founding attorney of Recovery Law Center, he has fought for individuals who are victims of another person’s negligence.
If you were injured in a serious accident that a tire shop or auto repair shop contributed to, Recovery Law Center can help. Our law firm is dedicated to guiding victims through the legal process, pursuing justice and accountability, and securing fair compensation for all forms of harm suffered.
Negligence in Auto Repair Shops
A tire shop or auto repair shop takes on serious responsibility whenever it services a vehicle. When these businesses cut corners or perform careless repair work, the results can be tragic. Vehicle owners trust shops to keep cars safe, but failing to follow proper steps can create deadly hazards.
Examples of negligence include:
- not tightening lug nuts
- using worn-out parts
- ignoring tread wear
- overlooking clear signs of a defective tire
In some cases, shops may return a car without a final inspection, leaving drivers at risk of an accident caused by improper installation or unsafe maintenance practices.
When negligence occurs, victims have the right to file a claim for negligence. The legal process requires showing that the repair shop owed a legal duty, breached that duty, and directly caused harm. At Recovery Law Center, we help victims build strong claims by uncovering proof that mistakes or shortcuts at a shop led to the crash. With our guidance, you can hold the liable parties accountable and demand compensation for the losses that resulted.
Liability Beyond the Tire Shop: Other Liable Parties in Auto Accidents
While a repair shop may be held liable, it is not always the only party at fault. Auto accidents caused by tire problems often involve multiple parties that are liable. For example, tire manufacturers may share responsibility if manufacturing defects or poor design contributed to the crash.
Maintenance providers may also be at fault if they overlooked warnings or recommended unsafe parts during repair work. Sometimes, other drivers worsen the danger by reckless actions that combine with a mechanical failure, leading to a serious accident.
When multiple liable parties are involved, our experienced attorney pursues each one to ensure full compensation. By broadening the scope of the investigation, we maximize your chances of a fair outcome and make sure no one who contributed to the accident escapes responsibility.
Key Elements of a Negligence Claim Against Tire Shops
To succeed in a negligence claim against a tire shop, you must present strong facts that show fault and damages. Courts and insurers look for specific elements before holding a repair shop or other parties liable for damages. Here’s what must be proven:
- Duty of Care: A tire shop or auto repair shop has a legal duty to perform safe repair work and return a roadworthy vehicle to its owner.
- Breach of Duty: A breach occurs when mechanics perform improper installation, ignore clear tread wear, or fail to identify obvious defects in a tire.
- Causation: The shop’s failure must be directly linked to the accident, showing that their mistakes contributed to the accident or caused the driver to lose control.
- Damages: Victims must prove actual harm that results in both economic and non-economic damages.
- Evidence: Strong evidence, like service records, accident reports, photographs, and testimony from qualified mechanics, supports the claim and demonstrates responsibility.
The Serious Consequences of a Tire-Related Accident
Tire failures can happen suddenly and without warning, turning an ordinary drive into a life-threatening situation. Some of the common challenges include:
- Severe Injuries to Drivers and Passengers: Tire blowouts or tread separation can cause sudden loss of control, often leading to rollovers, collisions, or ejections from the vehicle. Injuries range from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries.
- Increased Risk of Fatalities: Tire-related accidents are more likely to result in fatal outcomes because of the high speeds and sudden nature of these incidents, especially on highways or interstates.
- Property Damage: Besides vehicle destruction, tire accidents can cause damage to guardrails, road structures, or other vehicles involved in multi-car collisions.
- Traffic Disruptions: A single tire blowout accident can block lanes, create hazardous debris, and trigger chain-reaction crashes, resulting in hours of traffic congestion.
- Emotional and Psychological Impact
Survivors of serious tire accidents often face post-traumatic stress, anxiety, or fear of driving, significantly affecting their quality of life. - Financial Consequences
Victims may face high medical bills, loss of income due to recovery time, vehicle repair or replacement costs, and long-term rehabilitation expenses. - Legal Liability
If the accident results from tire defects, improper maintenance, or negligence, lawsuits and liability claims can follow, potentially impacting drivers, manufacturers, and tire service providers.
How Recovery Law Center Builds a Strong Case
When you choose Recovery Law Center, you are placing your trust in a law firm with decades of hands-on experience. Our approach combines thorough investigation, professional insight, and clear communication to give victims the strongest chance of success. Here is how we build every case:
1. Comprehensive Investigation of the Accident
We begin with a detailed investigation of the crash. This includes reviewing service records, accident reports, photographs, and interviewing witnesses. By examining every detail, we ensure that no evidence is overlooked.
2. Technical Review by Qualified Mechanics
To establish experience and technical accuracy, we work with qualified mechanics who examine the tire, tread, and lug nuts. Their findings confirm whether the accident was caused by repair work, improper installation, or mechanical failure.
3. Determining Liability Across All Parties
Our legal team evaluates the entire chain of responsibility. This includes the shop that performed the repair, maintenance providers, or even tire manufacturers if a defective tire or manufacturing defects are involved.
4. Calculating Damages and Losses
We carefully document financial and personal harm, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. This step ensures that claims accurately reflect the full value of the recovery.
5. Negotiating with Insurers and Litigating if Needed
Once the evidence is secure, we present an apparent demand backed by proof of liability. If insurers refuse fair settlement, our experienced attorney is ready to take the case to court, using facts to demonstrate responsibility and seek justice.
6. Guiding Clients Through Every Step
Throughout the legal process, we explain your legal options, update you on progress, and ensure you feel supported. This builds trust, keeps you informed, and allows you to focus on healing while we handle the fight for compensation.
Contact Recovery Law Center for a Free Consultation
If you were hurt in a car accident caused by a negligent tire shop, do not wait to take action. Recovery Law Center can help you determine liability, identify all liable parties, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our experienced attorney and dedicated legal team will review your case, explain your legal options, and stand by you throughout the legal process.
We are committed to helping you recover compensation, secure the full value of your case, and move forward with peace of mind knowing the liable parties have been held responsible.
Get to know the car accident lawyers at Recovery Law Center and book a consultation today to get started. Let our experienced attorney, Glenn Honda, and dedicated team fight to secure the full value of your case and move forward with peace of mind knowing the liable parties have been held responsible.
