PHOENIX ATTORNEYS FOR TIRE DEFECTS

What are Tire Defects?

When a tire fails, despite being used in an expected and reasonable way, it is likely to be defective. Tire defects fall under the category of product liability law, so potential tire defect cases are analyzed through that lens. There are several ways that a tire can be considered defective, and a few of the most common causes are detailed below.

Poor Tire Design

Even before a tire is created, a poor design can mean failure is imminent. Rubber tires for motorized vehicles have been around for over 100 years, but manufacturers are continuously updating designs to be more cost effective, provide better handling, and withstand particular conditions. Unfortunately, these updated designs can sometimes prove disastrous for drivers.

Tires must meet certain federal guidelines in order to be sold to the public, and they must be designed in a manner allowing them to “fail safely.” For example, if a tire has a blow out, it should blow out in a way that does not cause the driver to immediately lose control. And tires that are beginning to shed should do so in a way that is visible, so that drivers can detect the problem and replace the tire before it’s too late. When a tire does not meet these and other design requirements, it is typically considered to be defective.

Manufacturing Faults

A tire may be safely designed, but a defect occurs during the manufacturing process. Assembly workers may miss something, or quality control may be inadequate. Even an excessively-humid manufacturing floor can create a problem in the way tire layers are meant to bond together, leading to belt separation later on. Any number of mistakes can occur, from foreign objects contained in the rubber prior to curing, to improperly placed belts, and bead errors. These issues can cause a tire to fail at high speeds, leading to crashes, or result in the tiring exploding during inflation, injuring or possibly killing anyone located near the blast.

Defective Rims

While the tire itself may be perfectly sound, a faulty rim can be just as dangerous. A poorly designed or mis-sized rim can cut into the rubber, splitting belts and treads, and severely damaging the tire. Rims may even be mislabeled, leading to improper use and other disastrous consequences.

Inadequate Warnings and Usage Instructions

Under product liability law, every manufacturer of an item has a duty to provide adequate warning to consumers. This means that if a tire manufacturer fails to warn buyers of improper use or necessary maintenance, and the tire fails, the manufacturer can be liable for any resulting injuries. This applies even if there was nothing inherently wrong with the tire. Tire companies may also exaggerate claims in their marketing, leading consumers to use a tire in an unintended way.

Preserving Evidence

In Arizona, there is a two year statute of limitations on injury cases caused by tire defects. This means that you must file a lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident. Although two years may seem like sufficient time, important evidence and memories can be lost with each passing day. Local officials work quickly to clean up roadways following an accident, which can result in the loss of important evidence.

It is critical to contact a tire defect attorney familiar with Phoenix law enforcement as soon as possible, so that we can work to preserve evidence before it is lost forever.

Contact the Law Badgers Today at 1.833.383.4448

If you’ve been injured due to a defective tire, the Law Badgers can help. We have an impressive track record of obtaining substantial compensation for injury victims in a timely manner, and we will work tirelessly to protect your rights every step of the way. Tire defect cases can quickly become complicated, so don’t try to navigate this process without the help of an experienced injury attorney by your side. Contact the Law Badgers today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.