We trust tires to safely take us from one destination to another. But sometimes they don’t prove reliable. Consistent maintenance, rotating tires, and inspections are the best way to care for them, but when they are a defective product, those things can’t and won’t save you from repercussions. Tires typically go through life’s wear-and-tear like everything else. We want them to last a lifetime, but the reality is they don’t. They warp, get bald, and go flat. Bad enough, but the worst experience is when a tire is defective and no doubt a faulty product, poorly manufactured and/or designed. Tires, especially in an abusively hot climate like ours, are at a high risk of tread separation and possible defects within the walls.
If your tires were new and you experienced a blow, the chances are one of three things:
- Improper inflation and maintenance
- Road damage
- Product defect
Tire defects have resulted in dangerous rollovers, spinouts, and multi-vehicle accidents. Aside from vehicle and bodily injury, death could even occur.
When you or someone you know has been injured or killed as the result of a defective tire, you should be entitled to compensation. Weigh out your legal options at The Paul Powell Law Firm, the best-known legal help in Las Vegas. Walk us through your situation. We’ll listen intently and discuss the best options and alternatives to help you with fair and reasonable compensation. We’ll help you recover health, lost wages, lost future, and property compensation.
What is a defective tire?
Tires are made from multiple layers of vulcanized and sometimes cemented materials to create sturdy, incredibly strong, and reliable products to meet the various surfaces of roadways and ground types. They are composed of a tread, sidewall, radial cord body, inner liner, steel belt pipes, beads, and bead fillers. Even new tires, can be considered defective. When you experience a defective tire, it typically gets classified under one of the two categories: design defects or manufacturing defects.
Tire Design & Manufacturing Defects
Tires undergo constant updates to meet evolving styles and performance demands, requiring compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to avoid design defects like cap ply flaws and inner liner issues. Despite rigorous oversight during manufacturing, high production demands can lead to accidental mistakes, resulting in defects such as:
- Trapped air or water
- Material contamination
- Inner liner cracks
- Belt misalignment
The most common defects that cause vehicle accidents include blowouts and tread separation. Other deficiencies important to note are:
- Sudden loss of air
- Failing to maintain strength
- Tire sidewall separation
What happens when you have a defective tire?
Blowing a tire is a headache. It always occurs when we least expect it and where we least would desire it. No matter where it happens, whether right down the road from your house or on a busy highway during rush-hour traffic, it is startling. When a tire goes out you usually hear a loud BANG or POPPING sound coming from underneath the vehicle because the tire literally “blows.” Your vehicle typically jerks towards one side and tempts you to lose control. Traveling at high speeds increases the odds of disastrous effects.
Like blowouts, tire separation is a pain. Tires have two or more steel belts with a tread that adheres to the belts and is bonded to the sidewalls. When separation occurs, the bond between the belt and tread of the tire comes apart. The vehicle starts shaking as the tire comes loose. A bubble usually appears on the side of the tire and expands under heat and pressure.
The best thing you can do when your tire blows while driving is to maintain your course as well as possible, take your foot off the accelerator (or disengage cruise control) and let the vehicle naturally slow down. Once you slow down sufficiently, pull off to the side of the road in a slow and consistent manner. Sudden sideways movements at too high a rate of speed on a blown tire have been known to flip vehicles over or start spinouts. Once you are safely off the roadway out of the way of oncoming traffic, you’ll be better able to gather your thoughts and check yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle.
Can I sue?
Tire manufacturers put their products through a series of safety tests, but sometimes a few customer complaints and devastating accidents occur. You never know where on the trail of a defective product you are before it is pulled from shelves. Just like kid’s toys, tires get recalled too. Once the recall is issued, it takes a while for the information to get out and some owners won’t be notified at all.
The last thing you wanted was to get into an accident after your tire blew. Although it is stressful, do not worry. Instead, contact your lawyer at The Paul Powell Law Firm and we’ll start taking the next steps with you. Tire manufacturers are liable when accidents or personal injuries occur from their defective products. Filing a lawsuit and going through the legal process is a lot to handle. Never turn tour back and never “sit on your rights.” Whether you want to take legal action or simply receive advice, rely on The Paul Powell Law Firm.
Filing a product liability claim
When you need to file a product liability claim for tire damages, you must prove that the tire was defective, the manufacturers are guilty of negligence, and that you have suffered injury or damages as a result. Save all and any evidence to show proof of the defective product. So, although your tire could be in pieces, collect and preserve as much of it as possible. Throw nothing out, including the valve stem or anything else you might think insignificant. All the pieces will matter should the remains be examined by a tire reconstruction expert to determine the exact defect that occurred. It will help you claim and your compensation. When you feel overwhelmed and need assistance, turn to the professional attorneys at the Paul Powell Law Firm.
We are your product liability lawyers! Let us help you when a blowout blows up your life. When you are injured in a car accident and you think a tire defect was the cause, give us a call. Cases involving tire faults are complex and you could need legal assistance. We have represented many cases similar to yours and have experience reaching and winning settlements. We never take more than you win, and we put that in writing. The Paul Powell Law Firm cares about you, not your money. Paul Powell. More Lawyer. Less Fee.
A free case evaluation is waiting for you. Contact us today to get started at (702) 728-5500.