Auto Accidents and Defective Tires: Uncovering the Truth
Your tires are among the most critical parts of your car when it comes to safety. They are your only contact with the road and directly affect the steering, handling, and brakes.
Once a tire fails, your ability to control your vehicle plummets. Tread separation or a blowout at high speed can cause your vehicle to roll over, putting you, your occupants, and others on the roadway at risk of serious and potentially fatal injuries.
The auto accident attorneys at Chanfrau & Chanfrau in central Florida understand the dangerous relationship between auto accidents and defective tires as well as the hardships drivers and passengers face when faulty tires cause accidents.
The sad fact is, defective tires cause accidents every year. Common defects include:
- Tread Separation. This occurs when the tread on a tire separates from the tire body. It can be caused by a flaw in the chemical bonding process during manufacturing.
- Blowouts. A tire blowout occurs when a tire rapidly deflates, or loses tire pressure. It can happen when the tire is punctured by an object, if there is a tear in the tire, or due to over- or under-inflation. Blowouts can also be caused by manufacturing mistakes.
- Explosions During Inflation. Defective tires can explode while they are being inflated because of failures in the sidewall, rim, or bead, the portion of the tire that connects to the rim. Tire explosions during inflation are usually serious and often fatal.
Unfortunately, the fact that a tire defect may have caused a car accident is not always obvious and compensation may not be sought. That’s why, after an accident, it’s important to talk with a personal injury attorney who has the investigative experience to determine if a defective tire triggered the chain of events leading to an accident.
For starters, a personal injury lawyer understands how important evidence will be in proving your case. In the case of defective products, the central evidence will be your tires and vehicle. If you act quickly, a lawyer can ensure the vehicle or tires will not be sold or destroyed.
Consumer Rights
As a consumer, you assume the tires you purchase are safe. When they are not, you have the right to be compensated. In fact, both car owners and passengers are entitled to pursue monetary damages for death, medical costs, lost wages, and damage to property if a company is responsible for faulty auto equipment.
But proving your claim can be complex and you will be fighting a large corporation. Tire manufacturers have deep pockets and retain the best lawyers to defend their interests. They also have years of experience in defending themselves.
You will also need experienced lawyers to present your case and defend your rights to fair compensation.
Wisdom, Experience on Your Side
The experienced personal injury lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau in Daytona Beach have more than 30 years of experience representing clients, including tire defect cases. They also understand the tactics insurance companies employ to save money on their end, including low-ball, take-it-or-leave-it offers intended to intimidate the average citizen.
If you have been in an accident and suspect a defective tire contributed to the cause, please call the offices of Chanfrau & Chanfrau.