Tires are a vital part of your vehicle, so it's essential to ensure they are best equipped for safety. Tires with manufacturing or design defects can be a severe hazard when driving on the roads. When defective tires fail, they can cause many issues, such as a loss of air pressure with no warning, falling apart due to unraveling thread, or loss of vehicle control. Regardless of how new your tire is, there is a possibility it could be defective. Here's what every driver should know:
Causes of Defective Tires
The most common causes of defective tires are issues with their manufacturing and design:
Manufacturing defects – To ensure the steel and rubber of a tire are properly bonded, the rubber compounds and metal must meet certain standards. When these standards are not adequately met, bonding can be subpar and lead to tread separation.
Design defects – Tire failure can occur due to manufacturers using a too-large or too-small belt.
Although thread separation by design and manufacturing defects are the most common causes of a failing tire, there are also other ways a tire can give out, including:
Sidewall zipper failures – Weak and defective sidewall zippers can cause explosive failures. Most of these occur during the inflation of truck tires.
Blowouts – These occur when a tire pops due to a weak spot in the rubber as a result of internal pressure.
Bead Fracture – This refers to the rubber-coated steel bead of a tire breaking. These usually happen when an issue with the bead or wheel causes the bead to become stuck on the rim while mounting.
How to Identify a Defective Tire
According to the Transportation, Recall, Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation Act, tire manufacturers must report any potential defects identified through their quality control protocols or from consumer complaints to the NHTSA and network of distributors. Although it is their job to report any defective tires, it's also important that drivers are aware of signs on their own. Troubling signs to be aware of include:
- Excessive vibration
- Uneven tread wear
- Cracking or cuts in the sidewalls
- Excessively worn tread
- Bulges or blisters on the sidewall
We Can Help
If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident resulting from a defective tire, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Worrying about dealing with the legal aspects of your accidents while trying to heal from your related injuries can be stressful, and you shouldn't have to do it alone. Here at van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim, we have the skill and experience to get you the justice you deserve while allowing you the time you need to recover. Let us help you.
Contact our team today at (215) 486-0123 or visit us online to schedule your free case review with a member of our team.