Tires are one of the most significant operational and safety features found on an automobile. Since tires are the main point of contact between the automobile and the roadway, they affect the functionality of a vehicle. Stability, traction, maneuverability and braking capability are all influenced by a vehicle’s tires.
Sources of Tire Failure
When tire failure occurs it is poses a significant danger to the driver, passengers and nearby motorists or pedestrians. There are numerous types of tire defects that can cause tire failure. These include defects in the design, as well as the engineering and manufacturing of the tires. Tread belt separation, tire blowouts and bead fractures are three of the most common kinds of tire failure.
Tread Belt Separation
This is the most common type of tire failure. It occurs when two belts rip apart from each other. This causes the tread to become detached from the tire. Once separated, the driver loses control of the vehicle as it rolls over, swerves off the road or heads into oncoming traffic. When tread separation takes place at high speeds, the resulting accident can be catastrophic. Heat and excessive speed are two elements that when paired can make tread belt separation even more dangerous.
Tire Blowouts
Blowouts are caused by under inflation, over inflation, overloading, impact damage or a puncture in the tire. Most of these problems cause pressure that prompts the tire to burst. The way the driver controls the blowout can be the difference in whether the vehicle ends up in the ditch or safely pulled over to the side of the road.
Bead Fractures
This is a dangerous type of tire failure that occurs during mounting and inflation. If one of the beads becomes caught on the rim it can cause a fracture. Bead fractures paired with low-pressure explosions result in rims and tires becoming severely distorted. This can cause serious injuries and even fatalities.
If you are involved in an accident that is the direct result of a tire failure, it is important to collect and save evidence. This includes the tire, wheel or separated tread. Of course this depends on the circumstances of the accident, injuries sustained by the driver and/or passengers and safety of the scene. If the tire failure is due to a manufacturer defect a recall should be issued immediately. Victims may also have a legal case against the tire manufacturer. If you have questions about your legal rights regarding an injury sustained because of a tire failure, please contact the personal injury attorneys at Emroch & Kilduff today.
