Tire Defect Attorneys in Philadelphia

When tires fail on the road, the results are usually minor, but not always. A tire blowout can be life-altering or even fatal. For example, accident testing shows that a rear tire failure at high speed is virtually impossible to control.

People believe they can handle a tire blowout until it happens to them. That's when the tire company needs to be held accountable. Americans drive three trillion miles a year, and they rely on their tires every inch of the way. Our Philadelphia lawyers at The Beasley Firm represent the victims of accidents caused by tire manufacturers who put profits over consumer safety. Our attorneys are tough and knowledgeable, with over $2 billion awarded since 1958.

We have handled cases against all the major tire manufacturers, including:

• Bridgestone
• Firestone
• Michelin
• General Tire
• Continental Tire
• Cooper Tire
• Kumho Tire
• B.F. Goodrich
• Uniroyal
• Titan Tire

Types of Tire Defects

If you have been in an accident and suspect that any of the below tire defects were to blame, consult with an attorney immediately:

• Separating tread: In some instances, the tread is not properly sealed together and has the potential to separate from the tire. When this happens, the pressure can force the separation around the entire tire, causing a blowout that could result in a loss of control of the vehicle.
• Old tires being passed off as new: Some tire companies will accept used tires and retread them in an effort to label them new. This means that the tread is not to the same standard as a genuine new tire.
• Tire not suitable for the vehicle: Tires have specific grades and sizes that make them suitable only for certain vehicles. When the vehicle has tires installed that are not fit for the speed, weight, or other vehicle specifications, they could blowout or malfunction, resulting in a crash.
• Manufacturing defects: The manufacturer not only has to design a safe tire, but they also have to make sure the production is done correctly. If there is any kind of defect in the design or production, the tread can separate or another factor can cause a blowout.

What Every Driver Needs to Know About Tire Safety

Nobody thinks much about their tires. You fill them with air, change them when they are flat, rotate them, and replace them when you can see all of Lincoln's head on a penny. Even the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) doesn't tell vehicle owners to do much more than check tire pressure and ensure basic maintenance such as balancing and alignment.

But tires are much more vulnerable to problems than manufacturers will tell you. There is much more to tire safety than the public realizes. Every year, faulty tires are responsible for thousands of car accidents in Philadelphia and across the United States-some of them catastrophic or even fatal. Tire problems are magnified in vehicles with a high center of gravity, such as SUVs, trucks, and vans. In simulations, the NHTSA found that even a driver who is anticipating a tire blowout is usually unable to control the vehicle when it happens-particularly if it involves a rear tire.

Are You Considering A Tire Defect Or Rollover Lawsuit? Read This Now.

If you or someone you loved was in a serious accident involving a tire failure, you need to do one important thing right now: Make sure the tires and vehicle are preserved. Call your insurance company. Call the police investigating the case. Call the towing service that took the vehicle. Call the junkyard. Whoever it is, call and make sure they keep the tire and the vehicle intact. Do not let them be sold or destroyed.

People involved in accidents that sound like tire failure frequently contact our attorneys at The Beasley Firm. In some cases, the police have already confirmed the accident was caused by tire failure. However, if we don't have the tire and vehicle itself, we won't be able to prove what really happened. Take action now to preserve that evidence. You can be quite sure the insurance companies, the tire companies, and the car companies aren't going to do it for you.

The Primary Causes of Tire Failure Accidents

The two main causes of tire failure are:

• Glue adhesion failure - Most tire defects are due to ineffective adhesion, which usually happens as a result of the glue's age or poor bonding of tire components during the manufacturing process. When tires are being made, moisture, impurities, and other foreign materials are capable of entering the mix, then getting cured into the tire. Tire manufacturers have known about these types of problems for years, but have failed to correct them or to use better designs.
• Age - Old tires are the most dangerous, as time, heat, and can break down the adhesive holding together the tread structure. Shockingly, tire companies have been known to take steps to conceal the age of their tires. Vehicle manufacturers such as Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Toyota all say that tires should be changed every 6 years, but the tire manufacturers still give consumers the dangerous misimpression that tires can last 10 years.

Holding Tire Companies Accountable For Putting Profits Ahead of Safety

Since 1958, The Beasley Firm has fought for the rights of injury victims and their families. Our Philadelphia product liability lawyers successfully handled hundreds of product liability cases involving the most serious injuries, including paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful death. Our clients have been awarded in excess of $2 billion dollars since 1958.

For a free, confidential consultation please contact us online or call us at (215) 866-2424.