Tire Failure & Tire Recalls
Vehicle accidents stemming from tire malfunctions affect thousands of drivers annually, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. When manufacturing defects, design flaws, or inadequate warnings contribute to tire failures, victims possess legal avenues to pursue compensation through product liability claims.
Understanding Tire Failure Lawsuits and Defective Tire Claims
Tire failures are reported as the primary cause of deadly truck collisions and rollovers in about 10 percent of auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates more than 8,000 auto and truck accidents every year are linked to tire blowouts and defective tires. A tire failure and tire blowout can result when a car or truck tire loses air and explodes.
It is common for tire failure to lead to the loss of control in a vehicle. Such accidents can be extremely dangerous and cause single or multi-car accidents.
Truck drivers and other motorists are at risk when defective tires are produced and sold as safe products. Victims of defective tire accidents may contact a tire failure lawyer and seek compensation from manufacturers responsible for an accident.
Joe Lyon is an experienced product liability attorney and tire failure lawyer reviewing Auto Defects and related auto accidents for plaintiffs nationwide.
The Lyon Firm works with accident investigation experts to determine the root cause of an auto accident.
Common Types of Tire Defects Leading to Litigation
Manufacturing imperfections create substantial hazards on roadways. Tread separation represents one of the most dangerous defect categories, occurring when outer rubber layers detach from the tire’s internal structure during operation. This sudden failure typically causes drivers to lose vehicle control at highway speeds, resulting in rollovers or collisions.
Sidewall weaknesses constitute another frequent defect type. Insufficient reinforcement or compromised materials allow sidewalls to rupture unexpectedly under normal driving conditions. Belt defects involve steel belt detachment within the tire’s construction, while bead failures prevent proper tire mounting to wheel rims.
Design inadequacies also generate liability. Some tire models lack appropriate tread patterns for advertised conditions, or manufacturers use substandard material compounds that deteriorate prematurely. Age-related degradation becomes particularly concerning when retailers sell old inventory without disclosing manufacturing dates to consumers.
For the most part, automobile tires are very durable and reliable. But when tire producers take shortcuts and fail to test their products in road tests, safety issues and basic driving can become very hazardous for consumers. The Lyon Firm investigates tire defect lawsuits based on the following:
- Inferior material construction
- Manufacturing errors
- Faulty tire design
- Auto Repair Negligence
- Truck Overloading
- Underinflation
- Overinflation
- Improper tire maintenance
- Overused tires
- Cross camber, cross caster, and thrust angle settings misalignment.
- Inadequate tire thickness.
- Tire Contamination
- Recreational Vehicle Negligence
Recent Tire Recalls Impacting Consumers
Monitoring recall announcements protects drivers from known hazards. Major manufacturers have initiated significant recalls addressing various safety concerns. Cooper Tire recalled specific Discoverer models due to tread separation risks. Goodyear has addressed multiple product lines experiencing premature wear patterns and structural failures.
Foreign manufacturers face scrutiny as well. Several Chinese tire brands have been removed from markets following widespread tread separation incidents. These recalls often affect budget tire purchasers who unknowingly compromise safety for affordability.
Kumho Tire recalled thousands of units after identifying manufacturing process errors causing internal structural problems. Continental Tire addressed concerns with certain CrossContact models experiencing unexpected tread loss. Even premium brands occasionally issue recalls, demonstrating that price alone does not guarantee safety.
Vehicle owners should regularly check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration database for recall information specific to their tire brands and model numbers.
ABOUT THE LYON FIRM
Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.
The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.
NO COST UNLESS WE WIN
The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.
What is Tread Separation?
Automotive tires have tread, which refers to the rubber part that touches the roadway and consists of grooves and notches. The depth or width of the tread notches affects the traction the tire has with the road. Over time, the tread begins to diminish, effectively decreasing the amount of air between the entire tire and the road.
There are different kind of tire tread separation. One is known as “belt separation,” which occurs when the two belts in a tire separate over time. The second instance occurs when separation extends beyond the belts, causing the tread to delaminate from the belt.
Both instances typically result in the tire falling apart, which can lead to serious automobile and truck accidents. If a tire’s inner steel belt separates from the rubber, it can cause a sudden loss of pressure, tire blowouts, rollovers and catastrophic injury. Common causes for tread separation include:
- Over-inflation
- Improper tire repair
- Poorly maintained roadways
- Reckless driving
- Excessive tire wear
- Manufacturing defects
- Design defects
As a tire begins to fail, drivers will sometimes notice a loss of control as in a pulling sensation. Product liability lawsuits arise when tire defects cause a tread separation leading to a complete loss of control of the vehicle and a vehicle accident and catastrophic injuries.
- Defective tires can result in the driver losing control of his or her vehicle when he does not expect it.
- Incorrect placement of the belts and overlying tread for the tires, causing tread loss to occur more quickly.
- Failure of the metal tire frame to stick to the rubber is the leading cause of belt separation, thus leading to lower tread.
Sidewall Cracking
Cracks in the side walls of tires is a well recognized hazard and known to lead to air loss and tire failure, which can cause rollovers or otherwise cause loss of control leading to collisions with other cars or obstacles. Cracking side walls are a danger to motorists and roadside individuals, and consumers should take caution.
Almost every month there are a new batch of tires added to a national recall list, overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Tire manufacturers have a moral and legal responsibility to notify consumers of dangerous defects with their products. In some cases however, manufacturers fail to initiate a recall until after accidents and injuries occur, or after lawsuits are filed against the company.
Auto tires are manufactured by layering rubber materials on a wire and cording framework. When the design is defective, or the adhesive is ineffective, the treads separate and tires fail rapidly.
Tires are generally not made by the manufacturer of the car or truck, and they are often replaced over the course of a car’s life. Therefore, fault may lie on the both the manufacturer of the tire and at times the auto shop that installed the tires. It is important to consider all parties that played a role in placing the tire on the car or truck and any party that inspected the tire prior to the accident.
Several tire recalls have lead to product liability and injury lawsuits when defects result in tire blowouts, sidewall failure, and tire failure accidents. Faulty tire design and negligent manufacturing has affected many of the major tire suppliers in the U.S., including:
- Cooper Tire
- Continental
- Goodyear
- Yokohama
- Michelin
- Firestone-Bridgestone
Compensation Available in Tire Failure Cases
Victims may recover economic damages including medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. Non-economic damages address pain, suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Property damage compensation covers vehicle repairs or replacement.
Severe cases involving egregious manufacturer conduct may warrant punitive damages, designed to punish wrongdoers and deter future negligence. Wrongful death claims provide compensation to surviving family members when tire failures prove fatal.
Following a road accident resulting from a a tire blowout, victims should contact an experienced lawyer to investigate. Joe Lyon is an experienced personal injury and product liability attorney.
DO NOT
- Allow the tires or pieces of the tire be destroyed. This evidence must be preserved.
- Allow the car, and any other vehicle if possible, to be destroyed. This evidence must be preserved.
- Remove any social media postings.
- Make any statements to insurance companies or automotive company private investigators without first speaking with a qualified attorney.
Defective product litigation and tire defect lawsuits can be expensive and complex. The attorney will need to prove the case through expert testimony. Product liability cases can be some of the most expensive types of litigation, but the cases should be evaluated carefully to determine if a recalled tire or a tire defect caused the catastrophic injury.
Why Choose The Lyon Firm for Your Tire Defect Case
The Lyon Firm brings extensive experience handling complex product liability litigation against major tire manufacturers. Our legal team understands the technical aspects of tire construction and failure analysis, working with industry experts to build compelling cases.
We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay nothing unless we secure compensation. Our attorneys have successfully recovered millions for clients injured by defective products. We manage all aspects of litigation, from investigation through trial, allowing clients to focus on recovery.
Our firm maintains resources to challenge well-funded corporate defendants. We thoroughly investigate manufacturing processes, review internal company documents, and consult engineering specialists to establish liability. Previous clients benefit from our reputation and track record when negotiating settlements.
Why are Tire Failure cases important?
Quality control measures are assumed to be effective, but tire companies have been known to place profit over safety and overlook certain manufacturing hazards. Tire failure is not always preventable, but tire companies have a duty to protect American motorists to the best of their ability. Companies are responsible for safe tire design, safe manufacturing practices, and strict inspection standards to reduce the possibility of tire failure.
The Lyon Firm has developed compelling evidence in catastrophic injury and product liability cases involving automotive defects.
The Firm has successfully worked alongside accident reconstructions, forensic design engineers, and biomechanical engineers to present the highest quality evidence and arguments on the Plaintiff’s behalf.
By taking legal action, victims can seek compensation and hold responsible parties accountable for their negligent actions.