Seventeen people were injured Friday night in a multi-motorcycle crash on Interstate 35W in north Fort Worth after a reported tire blowout triggered a chain-reaction collision and fire.
According to Fort Worth police, the crash occurred just before 9 p.m. in the southbound express lanes near Heritage Trace Parkway. Authorities say approximately 15 motorcycles were involved in the crash. The fire department confirmed that ten ambulances and eight fire trucks responded to the scene. Four people were hospitalized in critical condition, six more were seriously injured, and seven sustained minor injuries. Early reports indicate the crash began when the lead vehicle in the group suffered a tire blowout, resulting in a pile-up.
Whenever I hear about a major crash caused by a tire blowout—especially one that leads to widespread injuries—I start thinking about the possibility of product failure. In my experience, crashes involving sudden loss of vehicle control often have deeper causes that go beyond operator error. A thorough investigation is the only way to determine whether this blowout was an isolated incident or the result of a defective product.
Could a Tire Defect Have Caused the Initial Blowout?
Tires are supposed to perform reliably under a wide range of conditions. When one suddenly fails, particularly at highway speeds, it’s important to ask whether that failure was due to a defect in the manufacturing process or design. Investigators will need to examine the failed tire’s make, model, and production history to determine if there have been previous reports of similar failures.
If the tire was relatively new or well-maintained, that may point toward a defect rather than wear-and-tear. A product defect could make the manufacturer, distributor, or installer potentially liable for the consequences of the crash.
What Kinds of Evidence Should Be Collected?
In potential product defect cases, preserving the failed tire is critical. Investigators should secure the tire for detailed inspection, including analysis by engineers who can assess whether the failure was caused by structural separation, belt shift, sidewall damage, or improper materials. Documentation of the tire’s purchase date, mileage, and maintenance history will also be key in determining whether the failure was foreseeable. Investigators should also gather witness statements, dash cam footage, and any available traffic surveillance to reconstruct how quickly the crash escalated after the blowout occurred.
Why Ask These Questions?
When a tire blowout leads to this level of harm, the crash itself is only the beginning of the story. From my experience, a full investigation that considers a potential product defect is essential. If the tire failed due to a flaw in manufacturing or design, that information could prevent future injuries and provide answers for those affected.