Defective Tires

Arizona Personal Injury Lawyers for Defective Tires

Defective tires cause thousands of traffic accidents every year. These accidents often result in serious injuries or even death. There have been many high-profile tire recalls in the past few years, highlighting the severity of this problem, including a recall of 450,000 Chinese-manufactured tires for light pickup trucks, vans and sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) in July 2007. Since 1966, when the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act was passed, there have been more than 24 million tires recalled due to safety defects. If you believe your accident was caused by defective tires, Solomon and Relihan, Phoenix injury attorneys with more than 30 years experience helping accident victims in Maricopa County and throughout Arizona, can help you.

Tread Separation

Tread separation is the cause of many recalls, including the famous Bridgestone/Firestone tires that were recalled in 2000 and 2001 after causing at least 271 deaths and 800 injuries according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Tread separation is caused by tire tread peeling off the tire due to a design or manufacturing defect. This tread separation can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in accidents and possible severe injuries or even death for the driver, passengers, and other motorists through no fault of the driver.

Tire Blowout

In addition to tread separation, design or manufacturing defects can also cause tires to blow out without any cause. Blowouts occur when the tire comes apart rapidly, resulting in a rapid loss of air pressure. These blowouts often result in severe accidents, again through no fault of the driver. According to Michelin, there are approximately 535 fatalities and 23,000 collisions per year due to tire blowouts.

Tire blowouts are frightening experiences, but drivers can help prevent matters from becoming worse by remaining calm and in control. Resist the urge to brake or turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction of the blowout. Instead, remain calm, hold the steering wheel firm and straight, and slightly accelerate. When the vehicle is under control and away from traffic, decelerate lightly and pull to the side of the road.

Tire or Rim Explosion

Tires and rims must be exactly matched in size. Tires can explode if they are negligently placed on rims that are the incorrect size, even if the difference in size is as small as half an inch. These explosions are extremely dangerous, causing drivers to lose control of their vehicles and leading to severe accidents, injuries, and even death. In addition to this danger, tire and rim explosions can often cause serious blast injuries.

Contact Solomon & Relihan, Arizona Auto Accident Lawyers

Whether a product defect, such as a defective tire, has caused an accident is not always immediately clear. That is why Solomon and Relihan begins every case with a thorough investigation of the facts and law involved to determine all possible causes of the accident and the injuries you suffer.

If you think that a defective tire may have caused or contributed to injuries in your car accident, it is best to talk with an attorney. For a free initial consultation with a lawyer about your car accident, contact our Phoenix law firm. For your convenience, home and hospital visits are available upon request.