Defective tires cause thousands of serious injury accidents and fatalities every year. According to officials at the National Transportation Safety Board, only one in every five faulty tires in the U.S. is actually pulled off the market via recall, and tire-related crashes kill 500 motorists and injure 33,000 others annually. An archaic and flawed recall system which has been labeled “broken” by NTSB authorities means that millions of defective – and potentially hazardous—tires remain on our nation’s roads.
If you were involved in a vehicle accident caused by tire defects, you may be eligible for monetary compensation. The Law Firm of Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman, P.C. has vast experience litigating tire explosion accidents in New York and New Jersey, and has successfully taken on negligent tire manufacturers that put profits over consumer safety. In the wake of a tire blowout accident resulting in catastrophic injuries, you want a car accident attorney who has the resources and skill to take on powerful insurance companies and win. Learn more about your rights by speaking with a defective tire lawyer from Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman in our Rockland County or Bergen County offices.
Tire accident causes
How many accidents are caused by bad tires? Recent statistics from safecar.gov estimate that more than 11,000 crashes each year are directly attributed to tire defects and failures.
Tire failure may be traced back to a number of defects caused by poor manufacturing techniques, sub-par materials and lack of quality control. Design defects can also result in tire blowouts, which can prove fatal when motorists are traveling at high speeds or in sports utility vehicles with a high center of gravity.
Can you sue if a tire blowout caused your accident? Tire manufacturers have a legal responsibility to ensure their products are safe for their intended purpose and that all facets of manufacturing are subject to rigorous inspection and quality control. In situations where design or manufacturing defects contributed to your tire accident, manufacturers may be held liable for monetary damages. When defects can be proven in court, plaintiffs may recover high dollar awards or settlements.
Tread and belt separation, bead failure, sidewall failure and other defects that cause blowouts are often difficult to spot, which is why it’s important to have tires inspected regularly for signs of:
- Bulges or blisters
- Large cracks in the sidewall
- Unevenly worn tread
- Excessive vibration while driving
- Inability to maintain pressure
Filing a tire defect lawsuit
The NTSB cautions that at least 50 percent of recalled tires in the U.S. remain in use. Authorities say that tire manufacturers are often unable to reach consumers, since dealerships and tire distributers aren’t required to register each sale. The upshot is that millions of Americans are driving on tires that could blow out at a moment’s notice. Between 2009 and 2013, over three million tires were recalled in the U.S., and many were issued by reputable companies like Bridgestone, Michelin, Cooper Tire, Firestone and B.F. Goodrich. Unfortunately, many tire recalls in the U.S. are issued after only litigation is filed by injured motorists or families of those who were killed.
Proving that faulty tires caused your accident requires a thorough investigation by an automotive defects lawyer at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman. Our attorneys are well-versed in defects that cause de-treading, adhesion failures and blowouts. A successful lawsuit can help victims recoup monetary damages for both economic and non-economic losses such as:
- Past and current medical bills stemming from the accident
- Anticipated costs for physical therapy, surgeries, and rehabilitation
- Property damage repairs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Emotional anguish
Protect your rights after a tire blowout accident
Establishing liability in a tire blowout crash requires the skill and perseverance of a qualified auto defect lawyer who routinely collaborates with industry experts to uncover the truth. Potential defendants may include tire designers and manufacturers, as well as personnel who installed or sold the tires. Liability in auto defect claims is often complex and may entail multiple defendants.
The tire defects attorneys at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman demand justice for our clients, and can help you obtain full compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering. The first consultation is free and there are no upfront legal costs since our firm has the resources to take new cases on a contingent-fee basis.
Our veteran legal team has been helping New Jersey and New York families since 1975, and is committed to achieving the best possible outcome for clients.
Defective Tire Resources:
- Consumer Reports, Beware these early warning signs of tire failure http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2012/03/early-warning-signs-of-tire-failure/index.htm
- NBC News, System to Recall Defective Tires ‘Completely Broken,’ Says Official http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/system-recall-defective-tires-completely-broken-say-officials-n452506
- ABCNews, Recall Roulette: Are You Driving on a Defective Tire? http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/05/recall-roulette-are-you-driving-on-a-defective-tire/
