On Monday, September 2nd, 2024, Kaymen Dominguez, 21, and Kayelynn “Alex” Rieder, 15, were traveling home from a family trip to Bridgeport over Labor Day Weekend, when a tire of the SUV they were riding in failed, causing the vehicle to roll. The accident took place on Highway 395, just south of Lone Pine.
Unfortunately, Dominquez and Rieder died in the accident, however, two other individuals in the vehicle survived but were injured.
How Tire Failures Contribute to Deadly Rollover Accidents
Tire failures are a significant factor in rollover accidents and fatalities. They can contribute to serious crashes, especially when the vehicle has a higher center of gravity, like an SUV, van, or truck. These types of vehicles are more prone to rollovers when a tire fails.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire-related crashes lead to around 11,000 accidents each year in the US. When a tire fails it causes a sudden change in the vehicle’s balance and increases the likelihood of a rollover. Rollover accidents are some of the most deadly types of accidents because of the severe impact on the vehicle’s occupants.
“While tire failures aren’t always fatal, they have the potential to cause great harm, especially when the involved vehicle(s) are traveling at high speeds,” says attorney Brett Schreiber of Singleton Schreiber, “The heartbreaking loss of sisters Kaymen and Kayelynn is devastating, and reminds us that there are unpredictable risks on the road. No family should have to endure such a loss due to something that may have been preventable.”
Legal Considerations for the Victims’ Families
The tragic loss of Kaymen and Kayelynn underscores the profound impact tire failures can have on road safety. The victims’ families may wish to pursue legal action to obtain justice and compensation for their devastating losses. Some key legal considerations they may wish to pursue may include:
- Product Liability Claims– if the tire that failed and caused the accident was found to be defective, the families may choose to pursue a product liability claim against the tire manufacturer. These types of claims work to prove that the tire was defective by design or manufacturing.
- Negligence Claims– if the accident occurred due to improper maintenance or installation of the tires, the families may wish to pursue a negligence claim against the service provider who was responsible for maintaining or installing the tires.
- Wrongful Death Claims– the families may wish to pursue compensation through wrongful death claims. These types of claims may allow the families to obtain compensation for non-economic losses such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship, emotional distress, and more.
If you’ve lost a loved one in a tire failure accident, contact the team at Singleton Schreiber today to learn how they may be able to help you. Call (619) 771-3473 or email info@singletonschreiber.com to get started today.
