What To Do If You Hit A Tire On The Highway

Hitting a tire on the highway can be a startling and dangerous event. Every year, thousands of accidents are caused by road debris, including tires.

Understanding the right steps to take immediately after such an incident can significantly reduce the risk of further accidents or injuries.

Assessing the Situation Safely

After an unexpected collision with a tire on the highway, the immediate response can significantly impact the outcome. ]

The priority is to ensure personal safety and minimize further risks. This involves a calm assessment of your control over the vehicle, understanding the extent of the damage, and finding a safe location to assess the situation further.

Such proactive steps are essential in preventing additional accidents and ensuring the safety of all occupants and other road users.

Importance of Remaining Calm

Panic is a natural response to unexpected situations, yet it’s the calmness that can truly make a difference.

A calm driver is better equipped to assess the vehicle’s condition, make informed decisions, and take appropriate actions. It helps in maintaining control over the vehicle, especially when it’s crucial to move it to a safer location.

Assessing Vehicle Control and Damage

The immediate aftermath of hitting a tire involves quickly determining whether your vehicle remains under control.

Can you still steer effectively? Does the braking system respond as expected? Answers to these questions are crucial.

If the vehicle behaves unpredictably or shows signs of significant damage, carefully reducing speed and finding a safe place to stop is vital.

Pulling over Safely

Identifying a safe place to pull over requires quick thinking. The aim is to minimize the risk of causing additional incidents or being an obstacle to other road users.

Whether it’s a highway shoulder or an exit that allows you to get off the road, the chosen spot should offer enough space to inspect your vehicle and deal with the situation without adding to the danger.

Immediate Steps After Impact

The moments following the impact with a tire are critical. They require a structured approach to deal with potential injuries, ensure the safety of everyone involved, and evaluate immediate risks. Taking the right steps during this time is essential for managing the situation effectively.

Checking for Personal Injuries

First and foremost, assess yourself and any passengers for injuries. Shock and adrenaline can often mask pain or discomfort, so it’s important to do a thorough check.

If there are visible injuries, or if anyone expresses feeling hurt, it’s critical to call emergency services right away.

Even seemingly minor symptoms can indicate more serious injuries, so err on the side of caution.

Ensuring Passenger Safety

Once you’ve assessed injuries, focus on the overall safety of your passengers. This means making sure they remain in a safe area away from traffic or potential hazards.

In cases where injuries prevent moving someone, it’s essential to signal for help and wait for emergency services.

The safety of everyone in the vehicle is your top priority, and ensuring that everyone is accounted for and safe from further harm is paramount.

Evaluating the Safety of the Surroundings

After ensuring personal and passenger safety, take a moment to evaluate the safety of your immediate surroundings.

Is your vehicle in a position that could pose a risk to oncoming traffic? Are there other hazards in the vicinity that could complicate the situation? If yes, assess whether you can safely move to a better location.

Remember, the goal is to avoid creating additional hazards while waiting for assistance or before attempting to deal with the vehicle and the tire debris.

When to Call 911

In the wake of hitting a tire on the highway, determining when it’s necessary to involve emergency services is a crucial decision. This section delves into understanding the circumstances under which calling 911 becomes imperative, the type of information you should be ready to provide, and how to manage the situation until help arrives.

Criteria for Emergency Situations

In the aftermath of hitting a tire on the highway, knowing when to call emergency services is crucial. Here are the situations that necessitate an immediate 911 call:

1. Injuries are Apparent
2. Vehicle Damage Prevents Safe Driving
3. Debris Poses a Danger to Other Drivers
4. You Feel Unsafe
5. The Situation is Unclear

Information to Provide to Emergency Responders

When you call 911, be ready to provide specific details about your location, the nature of the incident, and any injuries.

Information such as the highway name, nearest mile marker, and the direction you were traveling can significantly help emergency responders reach you faster.

Describing the type and size of the debris can prepare them for what to expect and help them manage traffic safely around the incident site.

Handling Minor vs. Major Incidents

The distinction between minor and major incidents can influence how you deal with the aftermath of hitting a tire.

For minor incidents—where there’s no significant damage or injury—it’s still wise to report the hazard to prevent further accidents.

For major incidents involving injuries or significant vehicle damage, staying on the line with the 911 operator until help arrives can provide you with necessary guidance and reassurance during a stressful time.

Documenting the Incident

Documenting the details of the incident is a critical step that should not be overlooked. This documentation can be invaluable for insurance claims, legal purposes, and to help authorities address hazards on the road.

Here, we explore the importance of gathering photographic evidence, noting essential details, and obtaining witness statements.

Importance of Photographic Evidence

Taking photos of the vehicle damage, the tire or debris that was hit, and the surrounding scene provides a visual account of the incident.

These images serve as crucial evidence for insurance claims and legal proceedings, offering a clear picture of the circumstances surrounding the accident.

What Details to Note

When documenting an incident involving a tire on the highway, capturing the right details is crucial. These specifics not only help in understanding what happened but also play a significant role in dealing with insurance claims and legal processes.

Here’s a guide on what you should note:

• The exact location of the incident, including highway names and mile markers.
• The date and time when the incident occurred.
• Weather conditions at the time of the incident.
• A detailed description of the tire or debris hit, including its position on the road.
• Any actions taken immediately after hitting the debris, such as pulling over or calling for help.
• The direction you were traveling and the lane you were in.
• Details of any immediate observations post-incident, like damage to the vehicle or injuries.

Witness Statements

If there are any witnesses to the incident, their accounts can add valuable perspective to your documentation. Collecting contact information and a brief statement from them at the scene can support your version of events, especially in cases where fault or liability may be questioned.

Reporting to Insurance Companies

Navigating the insurance claim process effectively is essential after an incident involving vehicle damage. This segment covers the nuances of comprehensive vs. collision coverage, the importance of timely claim filing, and the potential impact on insurance premiums.

Understanding Comprehensive vs. Collision Coverage

Comprehensive coverage typically covers events that are out of your control, such as hitting road debris.

Collision coverage, on the other hand, applies when you collide with another vehicle or object. Identifying which coverage applies to your situation is crucial for filing a claim.

Review your insurance policy or consult with your insurance agent to clarify your coverage details.

Timing and Details for Filing a Claim

Promptly reporting the incident to your insurance company is crucial. Delaying can complicate the claims process and potentially affect the outcome.

When you call, be prepared to provide all the details you’ve documented about the incident, including photos, a written account, and any witness statements.

These details will support your claim and help the insurance adjuster determine the extent of coverage.

Impact on Insurance Premiums

It’s a common concern that filing an insurance claim will automatically increase your premiums. However, this is not always the case, especially for comprehensive claims involving road debris.

The impact on your premiums can vary based on your policy, your claim history, and the specifics of the incident.

Legal Considerations

Once the immediate concerns of safety and vehicle damage are addressed, it’s important to turn your attention to the legal implications of your incident. This section aims to guide you through determining liability and negligence, dealing with unclaimed road debris, and understanding when it’s beneficial to seek legal advice.

Determining Liability and Negligence

Establishing who is at fault in incidents involving road debris can be complex.

Liability often depends on whether the debris was avoidable, how it ended up on the road, and whether any parties can be held responsible for its presence.

For instance, if the tire came off a poorly maintained vehicle, the owner of that vehicle might be considered negligent.

When to Consult with a Legal Professional

If you’re facing difficulties with insurance claims, suspect negligence on another party’s part, or simply feel overwhelmed by the legal complexities of your situation, consulting with a legal professional may be your best course of action.

A knowledgeable attorney can offer guidance, help you understand your rights, and represent you in pursuing compensation.

Especially in cases where the incident has led to significant damages or injuries, professional legal advice can be invaluable.

Need Legal Assistance After a Highway Incident?

If you find yourself in need of legal guidance after an auto collision involving road debris, Goldenzweig Law is here to support you.

As your Houston auto collision attorney, we are dedicated to providing you with the representation you need to navigate these challenging times.

Call us at 713-609-1930 to discuss your case and explore how we can help you achieve the justice and compensation you deserve.

Stephen Goldenzweig

Stephen Goldenzweig is a highly experienced trial lawyer and compassionate advocate who has built his career on protecting the rights of everyday people.