After a tire-related car or truck crash in Corpus Christi, you may have questions about the tire, its service history and what happened first. Start by organizing what you already know. A damaged tire is something to document and have evaluated; its appearance alone should not become your explanation of the crash.
Start with safety and existing records
Do not return to traffic or crawl under a damaged vehicle to collect information. Ask the shop or facility holding the vehicle how photographs and identifying details can be obtained safely. If the tire or wheel is being removed, ask what will happen to it and discuss your concerns with your attorney before authorizing disposal.
Write down what you remember in sequence: any warning light, noise or vibration; the change in vehicle movement; and the collision itself. Mark uncertain timing as uncertain. Separate what you personally noticed from what someone later told you.
Record the tire’s identifying information
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains that a tire’s DOT Tire Identification Number, or TIN, is on its sidewall. The last four digits indicate its manufacturing week and year. The complete TIN may not appear on both sides, so ask a tire professional for help if it cannot be read safely.
NHTSA: tire identification, aging and safety information
As a practical record checklist, collect:
• The tire brand, model, size and complete DOT identification number, if readable.
• The tire’s position on the vehicle at the time of the incident, identifying the vehicle separately if more than one was involved.
• Existing photographs showing the tire, wheel, visible damage and the sidewall markings.
• The vehicle’s identifying information and the location where the vehicle, tire or wheel is currently held.
Keep original photo files and use separate copies for enlarging details. If you cannot read a character, leave it marked as unclear rather than guessing. Record who supplied each photograph or identifying number.
Gather purchase and maintenance documents
Look for the tire purchase invoice, installation paperwork and records of rotations, balancing, alignment, repairs or replacements. Keep dates and recorded mileage together. If an invoice lists several tires, ask the shop whether its records identify which tire was installed in which position.
NHTSA recommends consulting a tire service professional about performance concerns such as vibration, noise or failure to maintain proper pressure. Its tire guidance also notes that aging cannot be determined simply by looking at a tire. Ask for an assessment rather than trying to diagnose the cause from a photograph.
Check tire recall information separately
NHTSA’s recall resource includes searches for tires and other equipment. Use the tire information you verified, save the date and result, and ask the manufacturer or tire professional about any potentially relevant campaign. A recall search is one source of information, not a substitute for evaluating the particular tire and incident.
NHTSA: recall searches for tires and equipment
Bring questions and records together
Keep the crash report, photographs, tire identifiers, service documents and any written assessment in one folder. Add a short list of unresolved questions, including what happened to the removed tire and who has it now. If the incident involved a commercial truck, identify whose vehicle each record concerns.
Related guide: requesting a Texas crash report
Our office offers consultations about car and truck accident injuries in Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend. Bring the records available and identify what is still missing; you do not need to decide the cause yourself before discussing the incident.
General information, not legal advice or a mechanical diagnosis. The cause of tire damage and the significance of any record depend on the circumstances.
Learn about car accident representation or truck accident representation. Contact Daniel for a free consultation.