When a wheel off occurrs...

Unfortunately no. I've seen it happen a few times and seen quite a few wobbly hubs not far from coming apart.

 

I'm a road scholar. Let me help you.

When a wheel is rolling (and not skidding) it has a certain angular velocity and translational velocity such that the translational velocity is equal to the angular velocity multiplied by the radius.

When a wheel is under the weight of a car it is compressed a fair amount. If it pops free, the radius will increase. But then the velocity will no longer be equal to the angular velocity multiplied by the radius and a frictional force will act forward on the wheel. This force increases velocity and decreases angular velocity, such that the wheel will be rotating slower yet be moving forward faster.

Momentum is conserved because the frictional force acts backwards on the ground. The wheel doesn't gain any energy as the decrease in angular velocity causes a greater loss in energy than any energy gained by the increase in translational velocity.

Does that help????? hahahaha

 

Possible reduction in weight/under load. Wheel could've came loose due to seized/defective wheel bearings,wheel lugs not torqued correctly,etc.

 

Nothing says saftey like side swiping a 30 year old car that pre-dates side impact standards. Next, we'll measure braking distance using this totally relevant 68 Plymouth!

 

LOL whomever tightened the wheels last is in real trouble!