Defective Tire

As drivers should be wary of defective tires, there are three major classifications of product liability defects that can affect tires:

• Manufacturing defects stem from mistakes made during the tire’s construction process. This makes the particular tire in question different from tires also manufactured in the same product line.
• The second major type of defect experienced in tires is the design defect. This type of defect is caused by a tire being inadequately designed by its manufacturer. This causes the tire to lack the functionality enjoyed by a tire that has been well-designed.
• Third, tires fail to carry the adequate warnings. Tire manufacturers have a responsibility to provide proper warning concerning the possible dangers that could occur from the use of their product.

Common Defects

The rubber in tires changes chemically from years of use, so aged tires have a high probability of being defective. Always be sure that you’re sold new tires and that you put new tires on your vehicle at the recommended intervals. Mismatched tires can also cause trouble, having an undesired affect on handling that could lead to a serious accident.

Always be sure to purchase your tires from a knowledgeable and reputable dealer. An unwise choice could cost you dearly. One of the most common defects found in tires is that of tread separation. Tread separation occurs when inadequate adhesion is used to create steel-belted radial tires. Because of their steel and rubber composition, these tires require particularly strong adhesion. Tread separation means that a complete separation of the tire from the belt and the tread occurs. The result of this defect is usually a tire blowout that can easily cause the vehicle's driver to completely lose driving control. This can be particularly fatal at higher speeds.

Tread Separation

Tread separation is a major product liability. Ford’s Explorer model experienced a problem with rollovers due to defective tires that Firestone had to recall. Due to the problem of tread separation, both Firestone and Bridgestone were forced to recall their Firestone Wilderness radial tires – ATX and ATX II models – by the millions. This serious problem of tread separation was identified as the cause of multiple SUV (sport utility vehicles) rollover accidents.

Firestone is not alone among tire manufacturers in its need to recall defective products that have been sold to the public. A wide range of other manufacturers who specialize in the production of tires have had similar problems with the tread and belt adhesion of their tires, including Kelly Springfield Tire, Cooper Tire Company, Kumho Tire, Goodyear Tire, Dunlop Tire, Continental General Tire Company, among others. If a vehicle’s tire tread separates when operating at freeway speeds, a rollover and/or tire blowout can occur and cause serious injury for the occupants inside the car.

Legal Rights

Defective tires are extremely dangerous for a car’s driver, passengers, and every other driver sharing the roads. For this reason, it is very important that all motor vehicle operators are educated on the types of tire defects and how to spot and deal with these problems. If your tires have been recalled because of any sort of defect that might put your life or the lives of your loved ones or fellow citizens in danger, it is your responsibility to learn about that recall and take the appropriate action to insure everyone's safety.

If you or a loved one has experienced an injury or car or property damage due to a tire blow out or any other defect, fill out a case evaluation form today. Our team of attorneys has experience specific to complications associated with tire blow outs and other defects. Not only can they give you the legal guidance you need, they can help you get the compensation you deserve.