Driving around with defective tires can have serious consequences and may result in an auto accident and catastrophic injuries or fatalities. If you were injured in an auto accident that was caused by defective tires you can pursue compensation from the tire manufacturer and/or the distributor in the form of a product liability claim or lawsuit.
Defective Tires Can Cause Car Accidents
Good tires get you where you need to go and can have a major impact on how your vehicle performs and how safe it drives. If left unchecked, faulty or defective tires can cause serious accidents. Tire failure or a defective tire can result in loss of control over your vehicle, which can have devastating results, including severe injuries or fatalities.
However, defective tires may not be to blame for all tire blowouts. How a vehicle owner takes care of their vehicle can impact the longevity of their tires. Misalignment or worn suspension parts can result in tires that do not wear evenly, causing weak tires that are more susceptible to flats. Regular vehicle maintenance can prevent excessive wear due to mechanical issues.
If you were involved in an accident caused by defective tires and you sustained a catastrophic injury, you must prove that the cause of the collision was due to a tire design defect or manufacturing defect. It will be your attorney’s job to show that the cause of the accident was due to a product defect, and was not caused by vehicle owner negligence or human error, such as underinflated tires, an overloaded passenger vehicle, overinflated tires, or poor maintenance.
Types of Tire Defects
There are many common tire defects that can result in a tire malfunctioning. The worst type of tire defect is those that cause a tire blowout. Blowouts involve tires bursting and losing air pressure, resulting in deflation.
The following are some of the most common problems that cause tire blowouts or failure:
Tread Separation
When the tread separates from a tire when a motorist is driving, it can cause the vehicle to roll over or cause the driver to lose control over their vehicle.
This type of issue involves the tread from the tire detaching from the casing. Tread separation is commonly caused by a manufacturing defect in which the tread section and steel belting are not correctly bonded to the body of the tire. Tread separation that’s caused by a manufacturing defect can often be detected right after someone begins driving on the tire since it can cause noticeable balance issues.
Manufacturing defects are not the only cause of tread separation. In fact, it can also be caused by:
- Excessive tire wear
- Driving over a pothole at a high speed
- Regularly driving over potholes
Defective Design and Materials
Tire defects are a huge cause of tire failure. A tire can be defective if it’s made out of materials that are low-quality or defective.
A defective design or materials can cause tire failure and tire damage that can lead to a motor vehicle accident.
Warning Defects
A warning defect is an issue with how the tires are marketed. For example, if a tire company claims that its tires never need to be rotated, then the failure to rotate the tires causes uneven wear that results in a tire blowout and subsequent accident, the manufacturer can be held liable.
Old or Weak Rubber
Tires have an expiration date. Even if you just purchased new tires, they may have been sitting on a shelf for several months. Tires that are older usually have rubber that’s weaker and can be potentially dangerous on the road. If you were involved in an accident that was caused by tires with weak or old rubber, the distributor can be held liable for your damages.
How to Identify Defective Tires
Signs of defective tires can include:
- Low tread
- Uneven tread wear
- Cracks in the sidewall
- Deflation
- Tread wear indicator bar is visible
- Irregular or excessive vibrations when driving
- Blisters or bulges on the surface of the tire
One way to determine if your tires are safe for the road is to use the penny test. To do, place a penny in the tread of a tire and if you’re able to see the top of Lincoln’s head you should replace that tire. If the penny sinks most of the way into the tread and you can’t see Lincoln’s head, then your tire is in good shape.
Check Your Tire Warranty
Most tires come with some type of warranty that covers the tire for a certain number of miles. If your tires have a warranty and you believe the tires are defective, take advantage of the warranty and have your tires checked and replaced if they’re in bad shape.
Were You Involved in an Auto Accident Due to Defective Tires?
If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident that was caused by defective tires, you may be eligible to seek compensation for damages.
Non-Economic and Economic Compensation
If you sustained severe injuries and/or vehicle damage, a motor vehicle accident lawyer can help you pursue maximum compensation for your losses.
Damages you may be eligible to pursue can include:
- Past and future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Future income loss
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional distress
And other financial losses.
If you had defective tires on your vehicle and it resulted in an accident, you deserve fair compensation for the harm you have suffered and the damages caused by the negligent party. A personal injury lawyer can hold the tire manufacturer or distributor responsible and file a product liability claim or product liability lawsuit on your behalf.
Regardless of whether you were in the vehicle that was equipped with the defective tires or the tires were on another vehicle and that driver lost control of their car, resulting in your accident, you need to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
At Cambre and Associates, you will work with an experienced personal injury attorney who has the skills and resources to build a strong product liability case that will prove the manufacturer or distributor must be held responsible for their negligence.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today to Schedule a Free Consultation
If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident due to defects in tires, you may be eligible to pursue compensation in a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Contact an experienced injury attorney at Cambre and Associates today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We can answer all of your questions, explain your legal rights and options, and discuss how we help you pursue compensation and hold the negligent party responsible for your losses.