Tires provide the support your vehicle needs, sitting between it and the road. They play an important role in all aspects of vehicle operation. Driving with defective, old, or worn tires can create an increased risk of an auto accident. When you are driving and something goes wrong with your tires, it can cause a traumatic and potentially dangerous situation, especially if you are operating your vehicle at high speeds. Tire failures can cause even the most experienced and cautious drivers to crash into another vehicle, which is why it’s so important to ensure your tires are in proper working condition. It’s a good idea to check tires regularly as there are several things a vehicle owner and operator needs to look for on their tires.
Check your tire pressure, check your tread, and be aware of tire recalls for starters; but there is much more that can be done to make yourself aware of potential issues with your own vehicle and with others sharing the roads.
Common Types of Tire Defects
There are several types of tire defects that can result in a malfunction while driving. The most dangerous types of tire problems are those leading to tire blowouts. A blowout is when the tire bursts and loses air pressure, resulting in the tire deflating. Some of the most common types of tire problems to watch out for include:
- Tread separation
- Tires made without all specified components
- Improper puncture repair or faulty flat tire repair
- Mechanical issues
- Old tires or used tires
- Tires made without separation prevention design features
- Tires not suitable for the vehicle
- Retread failure
- Tire damaged during the mounting process
- Manufacturing defects (often in the chemical aspects of the manufacturing process)
- Tires that look good but are old
- Defective materials and design
- Underfilled or overfilled tires
- Mismatched tires
Modern tires are steel-belted radials made up of two steel belts coated with rubber. Various issues can cause a tire to separate from the body or casing of the tire; tread separation can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles and get into a serious car accident. Tread separation most commonly occurs with tires on big rigs and cargo-hauling vehicles.
Signs of Tire Problems
A simple physical examination of your vehicle’s tires can often tell you a lot about the shape they are in. You should look for the following common tire problems:
- Blisters or bulges on tires usually mean there is a weak spot
- Uneven tread wear
- Cracks or cuts in sidewall
- Worn out tread, excessive tire tread wear, and/or uneven tread wear
- Tires vibrating when you’re driving can mean a tire is misaligned or has internal damage
- Underinflation is not always due to a leak or hole
Sometimes, however, you can do all of the maintenance and inspecting you can and still wind up with a tire blowout because your tires were defective to begin with. Blowouts are commonly caused by debris on the road, packing a vehicle with too much weight (overloading it), a leak in the tire, poor road maintenance, and incorrect tire air pressure.
Who Is Liable For a Tire Blowout?
Many different parties can be fully or partially responsible for a tire blowout. Another vehicle on the road with you may release debris that causes your tire or tires to fail. A tire manufacturer can err in design and/or production, leaving you with a products liability claim. A local government may be to blame for poor road maintenance. Since so many potential parties must be looked at to determine responsibility, a complex tire defect case must be reviewed by an experienced auto products liability lawyer like John Flood. The legal team at Floor Trial Lawyers is at the forefront of defective auto component litigation, protecting consumers and promoting safety.
What To Do If You’ve Been In An Accident Caused By A Defective Tire
Being involved in a car accident is frightening for everyone involved. The after effects can be long-lasting, including life-altering physical injuries and catastrophic property damage. It can be especially frustrating for a typically safe driver to be involved in a car crash through no fault of their own, but because of a defective tire.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by a defective tire, you may be able to seek financial compensation from a variety of parties, including the tire manufacturer. No matter your situation, it’s important to work with a trustworthy and experienced personal injury attorney who will work hard to get you justice. Contact John Flood today for a free consultation about your tire defect claims.
