Buyer Beware: How to Identify a Defective Tire Before Purchasing It

Defective tires have been the cause of numerous injurious and fatal accidents throughout the country. And in order to prevent these accidents, tire manufacturers often initiate recalls for tires that have known defects. According to information provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 46 million tires recalled since 1966.

Unfortunately though, whether a manufacturer fails to notice a defect, or a distributor isn’t aware of a recall or is selling overused tires, many defective tires still remain for sale. In order to avoid buying a defective tire, here are some guidelines to discover the integrity of the tire before making a purchase:

Scan for Recalls

One of the quickest ways to determine if a tire is defective is if it has been targeted in a recall. The NHTSA maintains a website, SaferCar.gov, on which individuals can search for tire recalls, check ongoing investigations, and even file complaints regarding possibly defective tires. Before buying, check the list of recalls to ensure your potential purchase isn’t on the list.

Look for Physical Damage on the Tires

If you are purchasing used tires from a distributor, look for signs of tire defects. This might include excessive or uneven wear on the tread. Depending on the nature of the tread, this may be the result of loss of adhesion (which could be caused by low-quality glue used to hold the tires together) or weakness in the casing. If a tire was retreaded incorrectly, you may notice that the tread can be pulled up from the side of the tire, creating an air pocket beneath. With this, if you find that you can pull the tire away from the sidewall, this is a sign of weak casing or even a leak; tires with these defects are more likely to blow out when driving.

Also make sure to examine the tires closely for signs of cracking in the sides, as well as any bulges occurring along the tire treads. This could lead to complete separation of the tread when driving.

When a Defective Tire Leads to an Accident

No matter how diligent a driver may be when purchasing tires, drivers still may bring home a defective set of tires. If the defective tires contributes to an accident though, the injured party has legal recourse to recover damages.

Florida law a products liability action (one in which an individual was injured due to a defective product) may arise if product caused the injuries or the injuries were greater than they would have been without the faulty product. The defect may have been due to error on the part of the design, manufacturing, or even shipping process; a legal professional can help label those responsible.

Also keep in mind that drivers can file a personal injury protection (PIP) claim with their own insurer regardless of fault. But it’s important to act quickly after a traffic accident tin Florida. New PIP laws require injured drivers receive initial treatment within 14 days of the accident in order to recover PIP benefits.

Contact Chalik & Chalik Today

If you have been injured in a car wreck due to defective tires, don’t hesitate to contact the attorneys at Chalik & Chalik today. We can help you identify the liable party, and file a claim to recover compensation. You can reach us by calling 855-529-0269.