Vehicle owners depend on tires to provide safe passage to a destination every day when traveling. A defective tire can compromise the safety of a vehicle, however, causing accidents and injuries. Defective tire attorneys understand the best ways to recover compensation for vehicle drivers that have been injured in accidents caused by defective tires.
Types of Tire Defects
There are many different types of tire defects that can cause accidents, including:
- Tread separation
- Tire shredding
- Wheel explosions
- Tire bead failures
- Failed tire adhesion
- Sidewall zipper failures
Defective Tire Causes
Tire defects are often the result of design or manufacturing errors. Tire manufacturers may miss a crucial aspect of design that causes the tire to blow out during regular use. Moisture or impurities may contaminate the rubber used to make the tire during the manufacturing process, leading to imperfections. Tire manufacturers may also limit the time spent on testing tires in order to meet time or budget constraints. When design or manufacturing errors cause tire defects, many defective tires may be sold and many vehicle owners may be affected.
Effects of Tire Defects
Tire defects may have devastating consequences, as defective tires are prone to blowouts and unraveling. Defective tires may come apart and wrap around other tires or parts of the vehicle, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. When defective tires are put on top heavy vehicles such as SUVs, a tire blowout may cause the vehicle to roll over or collide with barriers or other vehicles. Blowouts at high speeds may also cause serious injuries or death.
Defective Tire Recalls
Defective tires are not uncommon, as evidenced by the many tire recalls in recent years. Firestone, Bridgestone, Dunlop, Michelin, and Cooper have all recalled millions of tires. Unfortunately, most of these defective tire recalls have not taken place until after many vehicle accidents and deaths have occurred.
Proving Defective Tires Caused Accident
It may be difficult to prove that an accident was caused by a defective tire as opposed to a mistake on the part of the driver or poor tire maintenance. Defective tire attorneys have experience and knowledge of accidents that will help victims to prove that an accident was caused by a defective tire. Defective tire attorneys can also help victims to find qualified experts that will testify regarding the design flaws and how those flaws caused or contributed to the accident.
Necessary Evidence
Saving the defective tire or the components of a defective tire as evidence may be very helpful in proving that defective tires caused an accident. Experts may be able to break down the exact defects that caused the tire to blowout or separate. Without the tire, it may be extremely complicated to prove that a defective tire was the cause of an accident. Defective tire accident victims should also save accident reports and medical records from the incident that can later be used to prove and illustrate all details of the accident.
Defective Tire Liability Florida
Several different parties may be liable for damages from defective tire accidents. Tire recall details are important when determining liability. If a tire was still being sold after a recall, the retail store may be considered negligent for selling a tire that was known to be defective. If a manufacturing flaw caused defective tire accidents, the manufacturer may be liable for damages. Defective tire attorneys will investigate to determine all liable parties when filing a lawsuit for defective tires.
Defective Tire Compensation Florida
Victims that have been injured as a result of defective tire accidents will generally receive compensation for any medical costs and lost wages stemming from the accident. If injuries are life-altering or fatal, the liable parties may also be responsible for future lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages such as loss of companionship or consortium. If it is determined that the responsible party knew about the defect and did not take the tire off the market, punitive damages may also be assessed as punishment for the unethical behavior.
Sources:
“Diagnosing Tire Pull.” Tire Rack. Tire Rack, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 2 Nov. 2014. <http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=12>
“Important Safety Information.” TireWise. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Web. 2 Nov. 2014. <http://www.safercar.gov/tires/index.html>
“Federal Register Notice: Denial of Tire Defect Petition.” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Department of Transportation. Web. 2 Nov. 2014. <http://www.nhtsa.gov/Laws & Regulations/Tires/Federal Register Notice: Denial of Tire Defect Petition>