Motoring Safety: Van rollover was caused by tire separation

This past week I discussed legal accident investigations and that referring attorneys need to consider acting sooner rather than later, to refer cases to more experienced counsel. The subject came to mind when a local TV station reported on a van rollover incident showing a separated tread from what was assumed to be from one of the tires. Lawyer to Lawyer Toolbox – Accident Investigation – What do I do with this case?  Joe Saunders commented and even added a post discussing his experience, a post that should also be read. Steve Lombardi’s Piece on Accident Investigation Spot On.

There are good reasons for this one of which is pointed out by the ISP accident investigation report filed. This is a case of tread separation which caused the tire to fail and may have lead to the rollover and crash. Below is the NARRATIVE from the Iowa State Patrol officer, Larson.

VEHICLE 1 WAS TRAVELING NB ON HWY 65. VEHICLE 1 SUFFERED A RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATION, WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE 1 TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. VEHICLE 1 SLID SIDEWAYS IN COUNTER-CLOCKISE DIRECTION AND ROLLED INTO THE MEDIAN. VEHICLE 1 CAME TO REST ON IT'S LEFT SIDE FACING A SOUTHEASTERLY DIRECTION. ONE PERSON WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE 1 DURING THE ROLLING OF VEHICLE AND CAME TO REST ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY 65 SOUTHBOUND LANES.

The reason for this post is to warn those involved to get that failed tire and to immediately conduct their investigation to secure the separated tire. If not there will be no way to prove this case and that’s the point to attorneys. Don’t take cases where you get in over your head, then delay calling in others with more experience. There are plenty of experienced attorneys in the Des Moines area that can assist.  With eight people injured there may not be enough insurance coverage on the vehicle.

So act quickly and decisively.