Florida Firestone Defective Tire Lawyer

Firestone has been the subject of intense scrutiny regarding defects in their tires that have led to multiples injuries and deaths. In 2000, for example, Firestone faced lawsuits for injuries and deaths related to its tires’ tread failures. On August 9, 2000, Firestone, along with automaker Ford, announced a recall of 14.4 million of tires in response, including an estimated 6.5 million that were still on the road.

While the safety measures Firestone took after this massive recall may help prevent future accidents, it is still possible that drivers are using other defective Firestone tires today. If your injury is related to a defective Firestone tire, an attorney can help to get you the compensation you deserve.

Types of Tire Defects

Tire defects are a serious issue that can result in severe injury or even death for a person who becomes the victim of an accident caused by a defective tire. Some factors that may contribute to tire defects include:

• the use of old adhesives when the tire is manufactured;
• a defective tire design;
• improper cooking temperature when the tires are being made; or
• contamination of tire-related products during the manufacturing process.

Some examples of tire defects or adverse events that can lead to an accident include:

• a tire blowout, typically caused by a puncture in the tire that may be caused by a defective rim which cuts the tire, or the tire’s inability to maintain proper tire air pressure due to defective design;
• tread separation, which is when the tire tread separates from the tire’s body — the reason for the Firestone recalls in 2000;
• bead failure, or a small explosion in the tire caused by a tire bead being fractured due to a manufacturing defect;  and
• sidewall zipper failure, which occurs when a tire’s sidewall bursts.

If you are the victim of an accident caused by a defective tire, you may be able to recover compensation under product liability law.

The Basics of Product Liability

Product liability refers to the liability of the manufacturer or distributor of a product in the event that the product is unsafe for use and therefore results in harm to an individual or individuals. The manufacturer of a product containing a defect or one that does not include safety warnings or instructions may be liable in the case that an injury occurs as a result of that product.

Manufacturers have a responsibility to distribute products that are safe for use. If the potential harm caused by the product is greater than the benefits of said product, as is the case in many Firestone tires, then the company may be responsible for any injuries that their product(s) cause.

Contact a Defective Tire Attorney Today

If you suffered injuries in an accident in Florida caused by a defective tire, you need to take action now. Section 95.11 of the Florida Statutes limits the time that a person can take action following an injury from a defective product to four years. As such, it’s important to consult a defective tire attorney today.

The attorneys at Chalik & Chalik can guide you through the process of filing your claim and can provide you with more information about product liability law as it relates to your defective Firestone tires. To get started filing your claim, call us today at 855-529-0269.