At McArthur Law Firm, our attorneys have experience investigating car accidents in Georgia. We can work with experts to determine whether a tire blowout contributed to your crash. If defects are to blame, then a tire defect lawyer from our firm can assist you in filing a product liability claim against the manufacturer. In one such case, our lawyers served as co-counsel on a truck defect case that received a verdict of $19 million.
Tire Defect Lawyer Explains Liability For Product Defects
Tire tread separation is the potentially deadly result of product defects in the design and/or manufacture of both car and truck tires. Tread separation occurs when the rubber outer layer of the tire peels away from the underlying structure, which is usually comprised of steel belts. If this happens at high speeds, which is frequently the case, then the driver may lose control of the vehicle, causing a potentially deadly crash. In the past, several tire manufacturers have issued product recalls for tires prone to tread separation. However, tire blowouts are still a major danger for Georgia motorists.
WHAT CAUSES TIRE TREAD SEPARATION?
Tire tread separation typically results from product defects in the tire itself. However, other negligence can cause or contribute to a tire blowout as well. The most common causes of tire tread separation include:
- Design defects. Modern tires use variations on a steel belted radial design, which can be prone to blowouts. If the manufacturer does not perform adequate tests of new designs or ignores safety standards, then tread separation may be an inherent danger.
- Manufacturing defects. Even if the conceptual design of a tire is safe, negligence during the manufacturing process can cause dangerous product defects. Use of substandard materials, misaligned or broken machinery and/or improper storage can cause tire flaws.
- Poor repair. Sometimes, car and truck maintenance companies may repair a damaged tire instead of replacing it. If this repair is not completed correctly, tire tread separation can occur. This can happen slowly as driving increases the stress on the repair. Additionally, semi-truck tires are designed to allow tread replacement. However, this can dramatically increase the risk of a blowout, especially if done poorly.
- Overuse. Continual use of old or worn tires increases the risk of tread separation and blowouts. This is a particular problem for large trucks, as trucking companies may try to save money by failing to replace old tires.
Other factors, such as potholes from poor road repair, can contribute to a tire blowout and tread separation, especially if product defects are present as well.
WHO IS LIABLE FOR CAR CRASHES CAUSED BY TIRE DEFECTS?
If you sustain injuries in a car or trucking accident caused by tire tread separation, then you may be entitled to compensation beyond a typical insurance claim. Depending on the circumstances of your crash, different parties may be liable for your injuries and damage. These include:
- Manufacturer. Since most tire blowouts result from product defects, the tire manufacturing company is usually liable. In many cases, you can file a product liability claim against the manufacturing company for any defects. However, these claims are complex, and often require extensive investigations and expert testimony.
- Automaker. The company that sold the vehicle with defective tires may also be partially liable. Sometimes, other car defects make tire blowouts more likely as well, which could be grounds for a product liability claim.
- Trucking company. If a negligent trucking company failed to replace a big rig’s tires in a timely manner, and tread separation results, then you may be able to collect additional compensation through an insurance claim and/or personal injury lawsuit.
- Repair company. If poor repairs contributed to the blowout, then you can hold the company or person who performed those repairs at least partially accountable for your injuries and damages.
In many cases, victims of tire blowouts may not realize that product defects contributed to their car or trucking accident. Therefore, you should contact a local attorney as soon as possible after a wreck. An attorney can investigate the crash site, damaged vehicles and perform other research to find all liable parties.
TIRE BLOWOUT CAUSED YOUR INJURIES? CONTACT A TIRE DEFECT LAWYER.
If you suspect tire defects caused your crash or a loved one’s wrongful death, then our law firm can help you fight for your right to compensation. A tire defect lawyer from McArthur Law Firm can represent your interest in an insurance claim, personal injury claim and/or personal injury lawsuit. We have experience with a great variety of car accidents in Georgia, and we can put our experience to work for you.
We represent clients across Georgia from our offices in Macon and Atlanta. Call 404-565-1621 or contact us online today to schedule your free initial consultation.
More Product Liability Resources
If you’d like to learn more about how McArthur Law Firm handles product liability cases, read our informative articles on the subject below. We explain all the different types of product liability cases we represent.
- Automotive Defects
- Roof Crush Injuries
- Faulty Airbags and Seat Belt Accidents
- Defective Medical Devices
- Types of Product Defects
- Hiring a Defective Product Attorney: Product Liability Cases
- Defective Product Lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia
