Florence, Kentucky Defective Tire Lawyer
Of all the possible defective car and truck parts, tire failure remain one of the leading cause of unnecessary injuries and death. In fact, each year it is estimated that tire blowouts cause approximately 500 deaths and more than 20,000 accidents, with some of them occurring right here in the state of Kentucky.
When we think about the thousands of miles and less than perfect roads facing the tires of our vehicle, it is no surprise that wear and tear eventually takes its toll. However, there are several instances where the routine breakdown of a tire is accelerated or hastened by negligent design and the tire manufacturer should be held responsible.
Types of Tire Defects
Until an attorney has inspected the damaged tire, there are a large number of possibilities that led to your tire failure, however the two most common tire defects we witness involve tread separation and sidewall blowouts.
Tread Separation
When the tread from a tire deteriorates, either all at once, or over a period of time, the driver of the car and others on the road are at serious risk. The potential for the tread separation to cause a blowout is extremely high and will almost always result in a serious accident, especially if the vehicle is traveling at higher speeds on an interstate or highway.
Investigations performed during tread separation lawsuits often uncover a failed “bonding” process that is essential to ensure the metal belt material in your tire is properly bonded to the tire rubber. In instance where this process is not perfected, the potential for the tread to separate at a later date is a very real concern.
Sidewall Failure & Blowout
Similar to tread separation, sidewall blowouts can be caused by a number of factors, including inferior manufacturing materials, defective design, negligent bonding, and/or poor quality control inside the manufacturing plant.
A sidewall blowout occurs when the inner or outer side of the tire fails, leading to a rupture in the tire and eventual or immediate loss of vehicle control. However, it is important to realize that sidewall blowouts may be prevented by routine examination of a tire to look for any signs of potential failure, such as sidewall separation or bubbles appearing on the tire.
While manufacturers are responsible for defective tires, tires also fail due to driver many types of driver error, including:
- Driving on tires with undetected leaks and punctures
- Exceeding the weight limit the tire can carry
- Low tire pressure
- Overinflated tires
- Using old or worn tires
- Striking a curb or other object that weakens the tire
Injuries Caused by Defective Tires
A sudden tire blowout or tread separation can lead to any number of injuries, and unfortunately, because of the sudden nature of this defect, many times the injuries are severe and/or fatal.
Common injuries associated with tire failure include:
- Severe back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Paralysis due to ejection or rollover
- Broken Bones
- Brain Trauma
If you have been injured as a result of a defective tire, it is critical that you seek appropriate medial care, no matter how insignificant you believe your injuries to be.
Do Not Lose the Tire!
Simply put, the defective tire is your entire case. Without it, there is very little that can be done to help you recover compensation for your injuries and/or loss. Dallas & Turner, PLLC, will not only help you place a hold on your vehicle and the defective tire, we can also secure the evidence for the duration of your case, ensuring it is not lost or tampered with.
Who are the Major Tire Manufacturers?
There are several tire manufacturers existing throughout the world, however, some of the most well known providers of tires include:
- Firestone
- Dunlop
- Michelin
- Hankook
- Bridgestone
- Continental
- GoodYear
- General
While any of these tire manufacturers can be held responsible for manufacturing defective tires, the most well-known of the group is likely Firestone and the millions of tires that were recalled in the early 2000’s after it was discovered that tread separation was causing drivers to suddenly lose control of their vehicles, often resulting in a crash/rollover, and serious injury or death to thousands.
Tire manufacturers will often quickly place fault with the driver or vehicle owner in the event of a tire failure, claiming that improper maintenance was the reason for the accident. Do not accept this answer without talking to an experienced Kentucky defective tire lawyer.
Contact a Kentucky Defective Tire Lawyer
If you believe tread separation or a sidewall blowout was the cause of your accident and injuries, it is possible that you have a defective tire lawsuit case against the manufacturer.
It is critical that you speak to a Florence, Kentucky product liability lawyer that can secure evidence and begin investigating any known issues with your brand of tire or the manufacturer who made it.
You can speak to a Dallas & Turner, PLLC, lawyer immediately about your potential claim by calling us direct at 859-630-0666, or you can write to us with the details of your accident by using our free contact form.
We look forward to going to work for you.
James Ryan Turner, Experienced Injury Lawyer in Florence, KY
"If you think you have a claim regarding a defective tire, let our experienced products liability attorneys help you get the compensation you deserve."
