Detached Tire Incidents Legal Help

A detached tire accident is one of the most terrifying events that can happen on Michigan roads. It strikes without warning — sudden, violent, and catastrophic. One moment the roadway is clear, and the next, a full-sized tire is barreling toward you at highway speed, capable of crushing metal, shattering windshields, and causing devastating injuries.

Runaway tires behave like missiles. They explode across lanes, ricochet unpredictably, and strike vehicles, pedestrians, or road workers with enormous force. These crashes are never “freak accidents.” They are preventable tragedies that happen when drivers, mechanics, trucking companies, and maintenance crews fail to follow basic safety procedures.

At Marko Law, we stand firmly with the people of Michigan who have been harmed by careless maintenance practices, defective tires, or negligent commercial carriers. When someone ignores the rules and puts innocent lives at risk, we step in, expose the truth, and fight relentlessly for justice.

Who Is Liable for a Detached Tire Incident?

Vehicle Owner or Driver

Owners are responsible for basic maintenance. When a driver ignores warning signs — vibration, wobbling, worn tires, or loose lug nuts — they can be held liable for injuries caused by preventable wheel separations.

Mechanics, Auto Shops, or Tire Installers

Improper installation is one of the leading causes of detached tires. Liability may fall on:

• Mechanics who failed to tighten or torque lug nuts correctly
• Shops that installed incompatible wheels or parts
• Tire techs who ignored damage, corrosion, or missing components

When professionals fail to follow safety procedures, everyone on the road is endangered.

Trucking or Commercial Vehicle Companies

Commercial tire separations are especially catastrophic. Companies may be liable when they:

• Fail to inspect tires daily
• Overload trucks
• Ignore worn or defective tires
• Neglect axle, hub, or brake maintenance
• Violate federal or company safety policies

Corporations often cut corners to save money — but victims pay the price.

Cargo Loaders

Overloaded or improperly loaded trailers can put severe strain on tires, axles, and hubs, causing blowouts or wheel detachments. When loading companies overload a truck or fail to balance the cargo properly, they may share responsibility.

Tire or Wheel Manufacturers

If the separation happened because a tire or wheel was defective, manufacturers may be liable for:

• Faulty design
• Manufacturing flaws
• Hidden defects
• Structural weaknesses

Defective products can turn a vehicle into a deadly weapon.

Retailers or Distributors

Shops can be held accountable when they sell:

• Expired tires
• Recalled products
• Counterfeit or unsafe equipment
• Mismatched wheels or components

They have a duty to ensure the products they sell are safe.

Government Entities

In some cases, road hazards — like deep potholes, missing drain covers, or construction debris — can trigger blowouts or mechanical failures. When the government fails to maintain safe roadways, liability may fall on the state or municipal agency responsible.

What to Do Immediately After a Detached Tire Incident

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Some injuries — especially brain, spine, and internal trauma — may not show symptoms right away. Get checked by a medical professional as soon as possible.

Call 911 and Document the Scene

A police report creates an official record of what happened. Make sure responding officers know a detached tire caused the crash.

Photograph Everything

If you are able, capture images of:

• Vehicle damage
• The detached tire or wheel assembly
• Debris patterns
• Road conditions
• Skid marks
• Any visible injuries

These photos can become crucial evidence later.

Identify Witnesses

Get names and contact information for:

• Drivers who saw the tire detach
• Workers at the scene
• Anyone who observed vehicle behavior beforehand

Witness statements can make or break a case.

Do Not Repair or Dispose of Your Vehicle

Your damaged vehicle is evidence. Tire detachment cases require mechanical inspection to determine:

• Whether parts failed
• Whether bolts were improperly tightened
• Whether tires were worn, mismatched, or defective

Repairing the vehicle too soon can destroy your strongest evidence.

Contact an Attorney Immediately

Detached tire incidents involve technical engineering issues, multiple defendants, and aggressive insurance pushback. You need a lawyer who understands:

• Mechanical failure analysis
• Commercial carrier safety requirements
• Defective product claims
• Multi-party litigation strategy

At Marko Law, we act fast to preserve evidence, identify every liable party, and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

How Investigators Prove Tire Separation Negligence

Gathering On-Scene Debris & Vehicle Components

Every fragment matters. Tire shreds, broken lug nuts, pieces of the wheel assembly, and even scrape patterns on the pavement help reveal:

• The direction and speed of the tire
• Whether the separation occurred before or after impact
• Whether the vehicle experienced vibrations or mechanical warning signs

Mechanical Inspection of the Hub, Axle, Lug Nuts, and Wheel Assembly

A full mechanical teardown can show:

• Whether lug nuts were over- or under-tightened
• Whether corrosion weakened the wheel components
• Whether the hub or axle failed from stress or wear
• Whether improper installation caused the separation

This kind of forensic analysis is often the strongest evidence in the case.

Reviewing Maintenance Logs, Repair Invoices, and Inspection Records

Good maintenance leaves a paper trail — and so does bad maintenance. Investigators examine:

• Tire rotation and replacement history
• Mechanical service records
• Commercial vehicle inspection logs
• Repair invoices showing who last touched the wheel

These documents often reveal missed warnings or sloppy work.

Investigating Commercial Carrier Safety Histories

When a commercial truck is involved, investigators dig into:

• Prior violations
• Missed inspections
• Safety patterns within the company
• Overloaded or improperly loaded past hauls

A bad history often points directly to systemic negligence.

Examining Product Design, Manufacturing Methods, or Recall History

If a tire or wheel failed without human error, investigators evaluate whether the product itself was defective. This includes reviewing:

• Manufacturing processes
• Past recalls
• Known defect patterns
• Industry testing standards

If the product was unsafe, the manufacturer may be liable.

Accident Reconstruction & Engineering Analysis

Reconstruction experts use physical evidence, crash physics, and vehicle dynamics to show:

• When the tire detached
• How far it traveled
• Whether the crash was avoidable
• What forces were involved

These findings help present a clear, compelling story to insurers — and if needed, to a jury.

Assessing Compliance with Safety Industry Standards

Engineers compare the vehicle and maintenance practices against accepted safety rules. When companies fail to meet these standards, negligence becomes clear.

Compensation Available to Victims

Medical Expenses & Long-Term Treatment

Detached tire injuries often require:

• Emergency care
• Hospitalization
• Specialist treatment
• Long-term follow-ups
• Medications and medical devices

We pursue full reimbursement for past, present, and future medical needs.

Surgery, Rehabilitation & Assistive Devices

Many victims need:

• Surgical procedures
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Wheelchairs, braces, or mobility aids

Your recovery shouldn’t be limited by what insurance is willing to cover.

Wage Loss & Diminished Earning Capacity

If injuries keep you from working or force you into a lower-paying job, you may recover compensation for:

• Time off work
• Reduced future earnings
• Lost career opportunities

Your financial future matters — and we fight to protect it.

Pain and Suffering

Detached tire impacts are violent and traumatic. Victims often endure:

• Chronic pain
• Physical limitations
• Loss of quality of life

These harms deserve serious compensation.

Emotional Distress

Psychological injuries can be just as life-altering as physical ones. Many survivors experience:

• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Depression
• PTSD
• Fear of driving

We ensure your emotional trauma is recognized and valued.

Loss of Consortium

Spouses may be entitled to compensation when injuries damage:

• Companionship
• Intimacy
• Emotional support
• Household contributions

These losses matter — and the law respects them.

Home Modifications & Long-Term Care

Severe injuries may require:

• Ramps
• Bathroom renovations
• In-home nursing care
• Adaptive equipment

We seek compensation that allows you to live safely and independently.

Don’t Let Them Dodge Responsibility

A detached tire incident is not just an accident — it’s a violent, preventable failure that shatters lives in an instant. You’re left with pain, uncertainty, and questions no one should have to face alone. But one thing is clear: this did not have to happen. Someone failed to inspect, maintain, install, or manufacture a critical safety component, and that failure put you and your family in danger.

You have the right to demand answers. You have the right to demand accountability. And you have the right to fight for full justice.

At Marko Law, we bring the strength of a Detroit-built trial firm with a reputation for taking on powerful commercial carriers, negligent mechanics, careless drivers, and major manufacturers. We don’t get intimidated. We don’t accept excuses. And we don’t stop until the truth comes out and your future is protected.

You’ve been through enough. Let us take it from here.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

Phone: +1-313-777-7777
Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
Website: https://www.markolaw.com/