Sumitomo Tire Lawsuit Lawyer

In the United States, Sumitomo Rubber, through an alliance with Goodyear, manufactures tires sold under the brand name Dunlop. Common complaints about Sumitomo tires range all the way from excessive tire tread and wear-out to sudden tire tread separation leading to tire disintegration and eventually to a vehicle rollover.

The lawyers at Chalik & Chalik investigate complaints and reports of accidents and injuries involving defective Sumitomo tires. Talk to a lawyer at our firm if your accident was linked to tread separation and tire disintegration involving Sumitomo tires.

Lawsuits Involving Defective Sumitomo Tires

Over the past several years, Goodyear, Dunlop and Sumitomo Rubber have faced lawsuits filed by motorists and occupants who were seriously injured in accidents caused by defective tires. For instance, in 1997, one jury in Los Angeles awarded $15 million to a man who suffered paralysis after tire disintegration leading to a rollover accident. The tire in this case was a Dunlop tire.

In 1999, the family of a man who suffered severe brain injuries in a rollover accident in South Florida settled a lawsuit for $4.9 million, as reported by the Sun-Sentinel. The lawsuit involved a tire manufactured by Sumitomo Rubber and distributed by Dunlop Tire. In this lawsuit, it was evident from Dunlop’s own records that the company was aware of a design problem in the tire that led to internal tire rusting and eventually disintegration during operation of the vehicle.

Can I file a Sumitomo defective tire lawsuit?

Claims related to a defective tire or any manufacturer defects are filed under product liability law. Product liability cases typically are based on strict liability, which does not require that the plaintiff prove the company was negligent in order to recover damages for his losses. However, victims must provide evidence that the tire defect caused the injuries.

In many tire defect lawsuits, the defect is the result of:

• poor design;
• shoddy manufacture;
• poor quality control;
• poor  installation of the tires;
• failure to provide adequate instructions for the tire; and
• labeling failures.

In most cases, defects are the result of the company’s failure to prioritize safety and desire to bump up its bottom line at any cost.

What damages are available in a tire defect lawsuit?

In many of these cases, a tire manufacturer like Sumitomo or the seller of the tire are typically liable. Damages can include medical costs including hospitalization and medications, lost wages, lost future productivity due to disability and even punitive damages in extreme cases.

Punitive damages are non-compensatory damages awarded not to compensate the victim for his injuries, but rather to punish the defendant and warn other companies against such extreme negligence in the future. These are typically hefty damages, because when a jury does award punitive damages, it does so to discourage similar behavior.

If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in an accident that you believe was caused by a defective Sumitomo or Dunlop tire, speak with a product liability attorney at our firm. Our defective tire lawyers are investigating cases for their potential for a settlement or trial. If a settlement is in your best interest, we will negotiate one for you. However, we will not hesitate to take your case to trial if the defendant offers a settlement that is not in your best interests.

Speak with a lawyer at Chalik & Chalik to discuss your case. Call 855-529-0269 toll-free to schedule a free evaluation of your claim. You also can fill out our online contact form to set up a consultation with an attorney.