Why Do Car Tires Come Off During Collisions?
2 Answers
Car tires come off during collisions for the following reasons: Loose screws causing tire detachment: There are numerous cases of accidents caused by tire detachment while driving, especially on highways. When a tire unexpectedly detaches at high speeds, it continues to roll "blindly" on the road with considerable kinetic energy, posing a significant risk to following vehicles that may not have enough time to avoid it, potentially leading to traffic accidents. Severe overloading and harsh working conditions: Some dump trucks are severely overloaded, and most are used in construction projects. Due to severely uneven ground and heavy loads, the excessive force on a tire during bumpy rides can cause screws to break and detach. In most cases, the fracture of steel rim screws is accompanied by a clear snapping sound, making it relatively easy to detect tire detachment.
After driving for so many years, I've seen quite a few accidents, and it's quite common for tires to fly off after a collision. This actually has to do with the design of the car. When the impact force reaches a certain level, especially in a side collision or when a corner of the front end hits hard, the suspension system takes a huge hit. Components connected to the tires, such as control arms, steering knuckles, or axles, may break directly or become severely deformed and detached. In such cases, the tire flying away can actually absorb some of the energy, preventing greater impact forces from directly transferring to the cabin—it's a kind of passive protection mechanism, even though it looks quite scary. Additionally, if the tire gets stuck after a collision, detaching allows the car to slide away more easily rather than rolling over. Another factor is older cars with modified rims or suspensions—their connection points may already be somewhat damaged, making them more likely to fall apart upon impact.
