More than 15 years after the Bridgestone/Firestone tire recall involving Ford Explorers and other SUV and light truck rollovers, massive auto recalls are in the headlines almost daily. Faulty tires may have faded into the background of our consciousness, but they are still a serious problem. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), tire failure causes 33,000 accidents and more than 500 deaths each year. And, what about those tires recalled in 2000? We don’t know how many are still on the road and even being sold today. In 2013, a reporter for Channel 2 Action News, in Atlanta, was able to purchase a “brand new” Firestone Wilderness AT tire that was actually included in that recall but was still in the store.
Recalled Tires Still on The Road
In October, 2015, the NTSB announced that its investigation found that the tire registration and recall system was not effective. According to the report, only one in five defective tires is taken out of service as a result of recalls and more than half of all recalled tires were still in use.
Defective Tires
Tires can be defective for a number of reasons including:
- Manufacturing defects
- Defective design
- Inferior materials
- Tires that are too old even though they look new
- Wrong tires for the vehicle
- Tires stored improperly causing premature aging and deterioration
- Failure to replace spare during recall work
Tire failure can include:
- Tread separation
- Belt separation
- Bead failure
- Tire blowout
- Tire explosion
Tire blowouts are typically responsible for single vehicle accidents and rollovers. They can occur with tires that appear to be brand new and that are sold as “new”. Often, the tire seems fine until drivers get out on the highway at high speeds, particularly in hot weather. The heat produced in the tire causes the tire to fail and blowout.
If You Have Been Injured or Lost a Loved One to Tire Blowout
Faulty tires are still injuring and killing people. It’s just that simple. Those who may be held responsible for your accident include:
- Tire manufacturers
- Auto makers
- Tire retailer
- Auto dealership
- Repair shop
If you or someone you love has have been seriously injured in tire blowout accident, defective tires may be to blame. You can learn more about your rights and how you can recover damages for your losses by searching our directory to find a lawyer near you.
About Sandra Dalton
