Defective Tires

Passenger motor vehicles are subject to common tire defects that can result in accidents. The legal recourse to follow in such injury accidents falls under the category of product liability. In many cases of motor vehicle accidents, the vehicle manufacturer, tire maker, and/or tire distributors can be responsible for manufacturing, selling, or distributing defective tires. Recent recalls of defective tires have been performed by several tire makers including Firestone, Cooper, Goodyear, Dunlop, Continental General, among others.

Types of Defects

It is critically important that the tires on passenger motor vehicles and all vehicles be defect free to function properly and with reliability. The safety of passengers and even their lives are at stake. Defective tires may result in failures such as tread separation, belt adhesion failure, blowouts, and tire/rim explosions.

Causes of Tire Defects

There are many hazards on our roads that could cause damage to tires and, essentially, motor vehicle accidents. Tire damage isn’t always the fault of the manufacturer or distributor, as road obstacles like glass, nail, potholes, metal pieces, construction debris, and even heat can have a great influence on the structural safety of even the best tires. It’s because of these factors that drivers must always be aware of their surroundings for the safety of themselves, their passengers, and everyone else around them on the roads.

However, tires aren’t always manufactured with perfection. Some tires are created with problems like poor adhesion or lack of adhesion, which both lead to tread or belt separation. Other tires could have been manufactured adequately but then spent too much time in a distributor’s warehouse, where they can experience chemical aging that leads to blow outs or separations, as well.

Effects of Defective Tires

Personal injuries and deaths from defective tires are common in accidents that follow tire product failures. One example of extensive injury or death after this type of accident is easily seen in rollover accidents. Failure of a tire can produce a shift in vehicle weight that throws the vehicle around or off the road. When a rollover occurs, the roof of a vehicle is forced to bear more weight than it is designed to support. The roof may collapse, crushing the occupants of the vehicle and causing death or extensive head and bodily injuries.

The aftermath of passenger motor vehicle accidents that originate from defective tires can be painful, expensive, and traumatic. Death of a loved one or extensive medical treatment and ensuing bills for treatment of accident injuries are personal injuries that can be recovered to some extent by an experienced legal counsel. Loss of income, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and loss of inheritance are just some areas to look at for fair compensation. Besides the personal bodily injuries, there usually are property damages to claim as well.

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