Last month, I had an accident when my tire blew out. It was an almost brand new tire. Do I have any legal recourse?
If a defective tire caused your automobile accident, contact Nelson, Bryan and Cross today for a free consultation.
We drive thousands of miles each year on our tires, and besides periodic rotation and replacement, we hardly pay them any mind. Yet statistics show that over 500 deaths and 10,000 injuries each year are attributable to accidents caused by defective tires.
Defective tires can cause accidents involving the following:
• Blowouts– Blowouts occur when the integrity of the tire quickly falls apart while in use. Blowouts can be very dangerous and may interfere with the stability of the vehicle and cause it to overturn.
• Tread Separation– Tread separation occurs when the outer layer or tread of the tire peels away from the inner core of the tire. When this occurs it can make the vehicle difficult to control and can lead to accidents.
Defective tires can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. If you suddenly lost control of your car for no reason, and notice damage to one or more of your tires, a defective tire may be to blame. Bridgestone, Hankook, Firestone, Continental, and Michelin tires have all been recalled in recent years. If you experienced unusual swerving, skidding, hydroplaning, or the loss of control of your vehicle and there appears to be no explanation, a defective tire may be to blame. An experienced personal injury attorneycan help you determine if a defective tire may have caused your wrecl.
When tire manufacturers are aware of a problem with their tires, it is their responsibility to notify consumers about the danger. Such notifications and recalls, however, are expensive and can affect public perception of the manufacturer. Therefore, most manufacturers try to deny responsibility. If a manufacturer is aware of the defect and did not notify you, and that defect in turn caused an accident, they may be liable.
In order to avoid accidents caused by tire malfunctions or defects, you should regularly perform the following:
• Rotate your tires so that they receive wear evenly.
• Check your tires to ensure that they are properly inflated. Over and underinflated tires may be dangerous.
• Monitor your tires for any worn spots, bubbles, or areas where it appears the tread is separating from the tire. If you notice any of these, have the tire checked immediately.
• Do not overload your vehicle or put more weight on the tires than is recommended by the manufacturer.
• Avoid driving through construction areas or other areas that may have nails, sharp metal, or other damaging debris.
If you receive notice of a tire recall, follow up on it right away. Contact Nelson, Bryan & Cross at 205-387-777 for advice and help if a defective tire contributed to an accident.