Two people were hospitalized following a single-vehicle rollover crash on northbound Interstate 77 near the Mineral Wells rest area in West Virginia.
According to the Wood County Sheriff's Office, the crash occurred near mile marker 166 and involved a vehicle with North Carolina plates. Authorities reported that the vehicle’s rear driver-side tire suffered a blowout, causing the truck to lose control and roll multiple times. Both occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
Whenever I hear about a crash caused by a tire blowout, I think about the critical importance of understanding whether the tire failed because of a maintenance issue or a manufacturing defect. In my experience, these types of incidents often raise important questions about product quality and whether it was manufactured properly.
Could a Defective Tire Have Caused the Blowout?
Tire blowouts leading to serious crashes raise immediate concerns about whether the tire itself was defective. Manufacturing defects such as tread separation, sidewall failures, or improper curing during production can cause tires to fail unexpectedly, even if they are properly maintained and inflated.
Investigators should closely examine the blown tire for signs of manufacturing defects, design flaws, or material failures. It is also important to determine the brand, model, and production date of the tire to see whether it was subject to any prior recalls or known safety issues. If a defect contributed to the failure, the tire manufacturer or distributor could potentially bear responsibility for the crash.
What Evidence Needs to Be Collected?
To properly evaluate the cause of the blowout, investigators should preserve the damaged tire for expert forensic analysis. Examining the internal structure, tread, and sidewall for signs of manufacturing flaws or preexisting damage will be crucial. Investigators should also document the vehicle's condition, tire pressure records if available, and gather any available dash cam or witness statements describing how the crash unfolded.
Why Thorough Investigation Matters
From my experience, rollover crashes resulting from tire blowouts are rarely simple accidents. They often involve hidden factors that can be uncovered only through a careful and detailed investigation. Whether the cause lies with a defective tire or something else, getting to the root of the problem is essential for providing clear answers and for ensuring that any responsible parties are held accountable.