Tire Failure

Rollover Caused by Tire Failure

As a consumer, you've probably seen countless large-scale tire recalls because of defects in the tire or proper installation, resulting in tragic rollover accidents. Tire failures include blow-outs, failure form improper repair, or tread and belt separation from the rim. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that tire failures cause more than 8,000 motor vehicle accidents each year, which result in serious injury or death.

When a steel-belted radial tire loses its tread at fast, highway speeds, the driver often loses control and vehicle is likely to rollover. If the rear tire blows out, the vehicle will end up swinging around sideways. This motion causes the bead of the tire to separate from the rim, which allows the rim to dig into the pavement and propel or "trip" the vehicle into a rollover. A vehicle can also "trip" if enough sideways movement occurs in a grassy or dirt median.

In some tire failure cases, the tire tread has actually separated and peeled off the tire, leaving only the tire's core, without any substantial loss in tire pressure.

In these types of tire tread separation cases, the driver's ability to control the vehicle is impaired, which may result in a rollover accident. Seconds before losing control, the driver may hear a thumping sound, which means the tire tread is beginning to separate and is hitting the wheel. It might break off into small pieces along the roadway, or one long piece of tread. Even with highly experienced drivers, tire tread separations can occur and cause a devastating loss of control.

Tire manufacturers have known that a primary cause of tire tread separation the tire's design and the overlying tread and belt placements. Tire tread separations and belt separations can also arise from poor adhesion of the components, using expired adhesives, improper temperatures or manufacturing in a dirty facility.

Another leading cause of tire tread separations is the tire's age. Many vehicle tires may appear new and the tread may be deep, but the aging process of rubber and heat leads to degradation. The tire tread then becomes loose, which increases the likelihood of a tread separation at high speeds.

In the past few years, there have been several large-scale tire recalls due to defects, including those from Bridgestone/Firestone, Goodyear, Cooper, Dunlop and Uniroyal. These recalls have been issued to replace specific models of tires with a tendency to crack and split, which causes separation of the tire belts from its casing. There are also many new tires continually added to this list.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a rollover accident, and you believe defective tires are to blame, don't hesitate-contact our law firm today.