According to Safercar.gov, drivers in the U.S. put a combined total of more than 2,969 billion miles on car tires per year. It may surprise you to discover there are nearly 11,000 tire-related crashes each year, resulting in approximately 200 deaths. Some of these car crashes are due to poorly maintained tires, defective assembly, poor quality and improper installation.
Buying quality tires from a well-known manufacturer can reduce chances of blowouts and rollovers, but doesn’t always guarantee safety. However, sticking to familiar brands is important because fake, less safe products are sometimes sold as knock-offs.
A reconditioned tire doesn’t guarantee safety either. When a tire is reconditioned, weak points on the tire are sealed, and these points can wear out very quickly. When buying a used car, having the tires inspected should be a top priority.
Below are some common tire defects that can cause serious car accidents and injuries.
- Mismatched tires
- Dry-rot
- Prolonged storage
- Improperly sized tires or rims
- Sidewall, bead wire and support cable failure
- Over or under inflation
- Poor manufacturing
Firestone and Ford are known for having the most tire recalls. Pay attention to recalls that may affect your vehicle. Fortunately, improvements in tire technology have decreased the amount of blowouts and other tire issues that cause accidents. Check out this list of tire recalls to see if yours are on there.
If you’ve been injured in an accident due to defective tires or another product, you may be eligible for compensation and should call an experienced product liability attorney.