Defective Tire Lawyer in Miami

There are numerous reasons why a tire may fail to perform properly – from improper inflation to using a wheel sized incorrectly for that vehicle. However, when a wheel fails as a result of a manufacturing defect, you may be entitled to compensation for any injuries or damage that result from the defect.

If you were injured following a wheel failure, call Schlacter Law today for a consultation. A Miami defective tire lawyer understands the complexities of a defective product lawsuit and will work hard to get you compensation following an injury.

Types of Defects

There are several features of tires that make them prone to defects. These types of defects include:

Belt separations Sudden deflation or loss of pressure Belt shredding Cracking Broken cord material Wheel blowouts Rim blowouts Other manufacturing defects

Belt separation is a common defect that occurs when the belt under the tread fails and tears apart. This can result in the tread coming off completely and can result in loss of control, crashes, and even roll-overs. These types of accidents can be more serious when a belt separation occurs at higher speeds.

Over time, wheels can slowly lose proper pressure due to temperature changes, small punctures, and improper installation. However, a Miami defective tire may be prone to sudden and complete pressure loss in a matter of seconds. This can occur when the seal is compromised, and is often the result of poor quality control, the use of subpar materials or a design defect. Defective tires might also crack or blowout due to poor quality control or subpar materials.

How to Help Prevent Wheel Damage in Miami

There are measures a vehicle owner can take to help prevent a defective tire from causing significant damage. These measures include:

Keeping wheels properly inflated at all times Checking each wheel regularly to ensure that the tread is not overly worn Being sure to use tires appropriately sized for the rim or wheel it will be installed on Being sure that each wheel is sized correctly for the vehicle’s rim well and will not rub on any of the car’s surfaces Being sure to operate your vehicle within the speed limit rating for the wheel Rotating wheels regularly to ensure that they wear evenly Having your car inspected regularly by a professional to ensure that each tire passes state requirements for tread wear Inspecting each wheel to ensure that there are no visible punctures or objects within the tread that could cause damage Driving carefully when road conditions contain hazards that can damage a wheel Operating the vehicle on surface conditions appropriate for the type of wheel on the vehicle

Car manufacturers provide the correct inflation pressure level for its supplied wheels printed on the inside of the driver’s door. To reduce the chance of a wheel exploding, or wearing down due to low pressure, be sure to check the pressure on a regular basis and be sure not to over inflate them. If the pressure is low, determine how quickly the wheel is losing pressure – losing tire pressure quickly may be a sign of a puncture and should be replaced or repaired as soon as possible.

Some wheels are meant to be used on specific road surfaces. Passenger vehicles with low clearance and equipped with regular road tires are easily worn or damaged when operated off-road on surfaces intended for vehicles with larger ground clearance. Be sure to use wheels that are appropriate for the surface the vehicle intends to travel on.

Defective wheels can create all different types of dangerous conditions. It is important to be careful not to contribute to an unsafe driving situation by using tires in a way they were not meant to be used by the manufacturer. If care was taken to ensure that a vehicle’s tires are in good condition and used appropriately, and they still failed, there may have been a tire defect present. Call a Miami tire defect lawyer today for an evaluation to help determine if compensation is available.

Manufacturer Recalls

Tire companies will recall a defective tire when it is known there is a defect that can cause harm to someone who purchased their product. Tire recalls occur when the NHTSA receives numerous reports of the defect and issues the recall, or when a wheel manufacturer voluntarily issues a recall when they find out about the dangerous situation. Some companies that have issued recalls include:

Michelin Yokohama Kumho Continental Firestone Goodyear Cooper Bridgestone Patriot

Unfortunately, a recall might fail to account for every defect, and typically only take about 20% of defective tires off the roads. Some defects are discovered too late, and a dangerous situation leads to property damage and injuries. 

You can also seek compensation against a retail store or a mechanic who improperly installed a tire or recommended an improper tire for your vehicle. If your tire failed due to the negligence of a mechanic or retail location call us immediately. 

If you were involved in an accident and suspect a defective tire may have contributed to the accident, a defective tire lawyer can help. A tire defect lawyer can help determine if a defective tire contributed to your injuries. Call today for a consultation.

How to Receive Compensation

When a defective tire contributed to an accident, compensation may be available. One avenue for recovery is seeking a settlement with the tire manufacturer through a lawyer. If the tire manufacturer is unwilling to settle, compensation may still be available through a lawsuit. In Florida, a claim would be made through a personal injury lawsuit due to the defective condition. If a lawsuit is successful, a plaintiff may be entitled to receive compensation for:

Lost wages Property damage Medical bills Long-term medical care Hospital bills Any known costs that result from the defective condition

This type of compensation is generally easy to calculate and is known as economic damages. Additionally, compensation may also be available for other types of damages known as non-economic damages. These are the costs associated with an injury that are far more difficult to calculate, and may include:

Pain and suffering Emotional distress Disfigurement Scaring Paralysis Blindness

When any type of injury results from a defective tire, a tire blowout attorney can help. From property damage to medical bills and long-term care, a Miami tire defect lawyer understands how an accident can affect a client. You can be sure the defective tire lawyers at Schlacter Law will work hard to help you get the compensation you deserve.

By Brett Schlacter