Motor vehicle accidents can take many forms, and one particularly dangerous and often catastrophic type is wheel separation accidents. Wheel separation accidents occur when one or more wheels detach from a moving vehicle.
Wheel separation accidents pose a danger to both the occupants of the affected vehicle and other road users. A detached wheel can cause the driver to lose control and become a high-speed projectile, risking severe damage or injury to nearby vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Wheel separation accidents may be caused by any of the following.
Wear and corrosion
The wheel assembly components may deteriorate over time due to extended exposure to external factors such as road salt, water and general wear and tear. This may lead to weakened parts like wheel bearings, lug nuts and the wheel hub, increasing the risk of failure and separation.
Poor vehicle maintenance
Negligence in vehicle maintenance can ultimately lead to wheel separation accidents. When critical wheel assembly components are not regularly inspected and maintained, issues such as loose lug nuts, worn-out bearings or corroded parts may go unnoticed and escalate, significantly increasing the likelihood of a wheel separation while the vehicle is in motion.
Overloading
Exceeding the vehicle’s load capacity places excessive stress on the wheel assemblies, leading to accelerated wear and potential structural damage. This can compromise the integrity of components such as wheel bearings, axles and suspension systems, increasing the risk of wheel detachment during operation.
Poor road conditions
When operating on poorly maintained roads or encountering hazards such as potholes, debris or uneven surfaces, the wheels of a vehicle are subjected to sudden and extreme forces. These conditions can cause impacts that damage wheel components or dislodge them from their mounting points, leading to wheel separation accidents.
If you are a victim of a wheel separation accident, you may be able to pursue legal means for compensation.