Tire Defect Home – Recalled Tires
The tire defect scandal hit the United States like wildfire during the early 2000s, leading to hundreds of thousands of defective tires being recalled and supposedly taken off of the roads. The media coverage was intense, and for a brief period, public awareness regarding tire safety was at an all-time high. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is far more grim than the headlines suggested. Recalled tires aren’t always put out of service. In fact, a mere 20 percent of affected tires are estimated to have actually left our roads following these massive recall announcements. That means that thousands upon thousands of cars are still driving on recalled tires right now, presenting a significant, hidden danger to their drivers, their passengers, and other innocent motorists sharing the highway.
more about car accidents caused by defective tires here
The core issue lies in the recall process itself. Unlike a faulty airbag or a defective ignition switch, which are typically replaced by a dealership during routine maintenance, tires are often purchased from third-party retailers, discount shops, or even bought used. Tracking down the current owners of these defective products is a logistical nightmare for manufacturers, and many simply do not invest the necessary resources to ensure every dangerous tire is recovered. As a result, the burden of safety falls squarely on the shoulders of the consumer, who is often completely unaware that the rubber connecting their vehicle to the road is a ticking time bomb.
Why were these tires recalled in the first place? Design and manufacturing defects came under intense fire in the early part of this decade when it was revealed that many SUV and truck tires failed catastrophically during normal driving conditions. These were not tires that had been abused, under-inflated, or driven over debris; these were tires that simply could not withstand the standard heat and friction of highway driving. The defects led to sudden tire blowouts, violent tire tread separations, and potentially fatal rollover accidents. When a tread separates at 70 miles per hour, the driver instantly loses control of the vehicle. In top-heavy vehicles like SUVs and passenger vans, this loss of control almost inevitably results in a rollover, which is one of the most deadly types of motor vehicle accidents.
The list of manufacturers implicated in these recalls reads like a who’s who of the global tire industry. Recalled tires include those from trusted household names such as Michelin, Uniroyal, B.F. Goodrich, Firestone, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Cooper, Dunlop, Continental, and Kelly Springfield. The fact that such prominent brands have released defective products underscores the reality that price and brand reputation do not always guarantee safety. Profit margins and production quotas sometimes take precedence over rigorous quality control testing, leaving the consumer to pay the ultimate price.
In order to determine whether your tire has been recalled, you must be proactive. You can go to www.recalls.gov and click on “tire recalls” to search the national database. You will need to locate the DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) on the sidewall of your tire to verify its manufacturing origin and date. You can also ask your dealer or a trusted auto mechanic for more information during your next rotation or inspection. Unfortunately, many consumers do not realize their tires have been recalled until after their catastrophic accident has already occurred. The evidence of the defect is often found only when accident reconstruction experts examine the shredded remains of the tire in a junkyard.
In these tragic cases, the consumers must protect their legal rights and hire an experienced and competent personal injury attorney to help them pursue compensation for the injuries they sustained while driving on recalled tires. Product liability law is highly complex, and taking on a multi-billion dollar tire manufacturer requires a legal team with specific expertise in automotive defects. These corporations employ armies of defense lawyers whose sole job is to argue that the blowout was caused by driver error, poor road conditions, or improper maintenance—anything to deflect blame from their defective product.
Recalled tires present a significant danger to drivers and passengers on America’s roads, and the injuries resulting from these accidents are often life-altering. Victims frequently suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe lacerations, and crushed limbs. Unfortunately, the only recourse many consumers have to hold these corporations accountable is to sue in civil court. Assisted by an experienced tire recall attorney, victims can pursue comprehensive compensation for lost wages, psychiatric treatment, pain and suffering, mounting medical bills, long-term physical therapy, vocational rehabilitation, and more.
Our Law Firm has dedicated its entire legal practice to protecting consumers and helping those who have been injured due to the negligence of large corporations like Bridgestone and Goodyear. We understand the devastating impact a sudden, violent accident has on a family. We have a stellar reputation for a reason – our strong results. We do not back down from corporate intimidation, and we have the financial resources and expert network necessary to prove that a manufacturing or design defect was the direct cause of your crash.
We treat each case like our only case, pursuing every legal avenue as we usher it through the court system. From preserving the vehicle and the defective tire as evidence, to consulting with leading metallurgical and polymer engineers, we build a watertight case designed to secure maximum compensation. We believe that when corporations prioritize profits over human lives, they must be forced to pay for the damage they cause.
If you or a loved one have been injured due to recalled tires, you must act today. Evidence degrades, and vehicles are often scrapped or sold at auction shortly after an accident, destroying the very proof needed to win your case. Furthermore, your time to file a personal injury lawsuit could be strictly limited by local statute of limitations. Once that deadline passes, your right to seek justice is lost forever. Call our Law Firm today for more information and a free, confidential case evaluation. Let us help you hold the responsible parties accountable and secure the financial future you and your family deserve.