Can I Sue the Manufacturer of the Tire for My Tire Failure Injuries?
If you were involved in an auto accident where you had a tire malfunction or detread, you may be able to pursue compensation from the tire manufacturer.
What are Common Causes of the Tire Defects?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), defective tires are responsible for roughly 8,000 motor vehicle accidents every year. An additional report by Michelin estimated that 535 deaths result from tire blowouts each year.
Among the leading causes of tire defects:
- Poor or defective design
- Inadequate curing process
- Inadequate skim stock
- Improper belt wiping
- Improper belt placement
- Lack of nylon overlays
- Faulty split rim wheel assemblies
How To Detect Tire Tread Separation in Defective Tires
- A common sign of tire tread separation is that the car will begin shaking at a certain speed (most often between 10 mph to 40 mph).
- This may begin as a small vibration, but as the problem worsens, it may feel as though the whole wheel is shaking side-to-side as though the wheel is not tightly fastened.
- The first visual indication will be a bubble along the tread or the sidewall of the tire. The bubble will continue to expand and a larger section becomes separated from the tire’s casing.
- Drivers may also notice a wavy pattern in the tread. The treads of a tire should always align strait and remain parallel. Misaligned tread patterns are an indication that the tread is not properly bonded or is losing hold.
- If tire tread separation is identified, repair should not be attempted. The only remedy is to replace the tire completely.
Defective Tires can Result in Massive Recalls
If a tire is known to be defective, the company may be required to issue a nationwide recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publishes tire recall information at SaferCar.gov.
Since the passage of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act in 1966, there have been more than 24 million tires recalled for safety defects. Notable tire recalls include:
- Firestone recalled over 7 million Firestone 500 tires in 1978, the largest tire recall to date.
- The second largest tire recall in U.S. history, Firestone’s 2000 recall of 6.5 million SUV tires, was issued in response to tire tread separation that was linked to hundreds of accidents and 46 deaths.
- In 2012, Goodyear recalled 41,000 of their Silent Armor tires after 2 reported deaths and a number of crashes were linked to the tires, which were prone to tears and partial tread separation.
What I Should I Do if I Believe My Accident Was the Result of a Defective Tire?
Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys are leaders in the area of product liability litigation. Our Defective Drug and Products Division have extensive knowledge and resources in order to represent our clients efficiently and aggressively. We represent a multitude of people who are battling against manufacturers of defective tires and tire parts.
Your choice does matter. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident caused by a defective or recalled tire, call Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys immediately. We represent clients/victims all over the country. We are available 24/7, nights and weekends.
