Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

The Press-Enterprise has reported a tire blowout is likely to blame for a fatal solo-vehicle accident over the weekend on Interstate 15. The accident occurred on southbound Interstate 15, north of Baseline Road, at about 5:15 p.m. Sunday, September 19, 2010. According to news reports, Vannity Joy Lewis, 18, of Fontana was a passenger in a 1997 Volkswagen Jetta travelling southbound on Interstate 15. One of the rear tires on the vehicle blew out, causing the driver to lose control of the car.

The Jetta overturned multiple times, and Lewis was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene of the crash. The driver and one other passenger suffered major injuries. Two other passengers suffered moderate injuries.

Cause of the Interstate 15 Crash

The California Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the cause of the accident. If news reports in the Press-Enterprise and Fontana Herald News are accurate, this accident was likely caused by a tire blowout, a common vehicle malfunction that can lead to a serious car accident. Tire blowouts can occur for a number of reasons, which may be attributable to the driver or vehicle owner, or the manufacturer of the tire or vehicle.

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

Car accidents caused by tire blowouts have unique and often complex legal issues. After an accident caused by a suspected tire blowout, injured victims and family members of deceased victims would be well-advised to consult with a southern California car accident lawyer who can arrange to have the vehicle and damaged tire inspected as soon as possible for a possible tire defect. Determining the exact cause of a blowout is very important in determining why an accident occurred and who is ultimately responsible. If negligence (either on the part of the driver, the manufacturer of the tire or vehicle, the company that installed the tire, or agency responsible for maintaining the roadway or any other party) was a factor in the tire blowout, an experienced lawyer can help the victims and their families pursue compensation in a personal injury or wrongful death claim.