Tire Failure
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are more than 8,000 traffic accidents every year resulting in death or serious injury caused by defective tires. These defects include poor manufacturing and faulty design on behalf of the manufacturer. In 2000, Bridgestone/Firestone issued a recall on its tires due to a tread separation defect. Those defective tires were linked to 271 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
NHTSA research has also shown that states with hot climates (Florida, Arizona, etc.) and driving large SUV's can significantly add stress to a tire. Also old tires are prone to greater stress, which increase the chances of tire failure. Tire condition is important for any vehicle, but it is crucial for those prone to rollovers. This includes sport utility vehicles (SUV's), pickups and other vehicles with a high center of gravity.
Tires older than six years experience significantly higher incidence of tread/belt separations, mostly resulting in crashes when the vehicle cannot be controlled. Old tires have resulted in hundreds of fatalities and injuries. Even five year old tires can be prone to failure, resulting in hundreds of crippling injuries and deaths.
A tire, like every other product on the market, has an expiration date. Without knowing when the tire was manufactured it is almost impossible to tell the age of a tire. A tire could be six years old and still have all or most of the tread on it, but it still has a high risk of failing. This makes it very hard to distinguish the difference between an old tire and a new tire. That is why vehicle manufacturers like Ford Motor Company and Daimler-Chrysler recommend that tires be replaced every six years regardless of use.
It is recommended that even after six years without use, that your vehicle's spare tire also be replaced. The spare tire is commonly attached to the bottom of your vehicle or inside the trunk out of plain sight, so it is easily forgotten. If your vehicle's spare is over six years old it is recommended that it be replaced and if you must use it, use it and replace it as soon as possible.
How do I determine the age of a tire? Well first you have to know the "secret code."
Here's how it works: The age of a tire can be determined looking at the tire identification number located on the sidewall of the tire, which begins with the letters "DOT." The last four digits are the week and year the tire was manufactured. On newer model tires, the identification number can be found on the outside sidewall of the tire and on older models, the inner sidewall. See how.
Have you experienced an accident because of a defective tire?
You may have a tire failure lawsuit. The attorneys at Viles and Beckman, LLC have experience representing tire failure victims and are dedicated to getting you the help and justice you deserve. If you have been seriously injured due to a tire failure do not wait to file suit - fill out the form on the right side of this page to request your free case review, or call contact Viles and Beckman, LLC at 1-800-64-VILES (1-800-648-4537), or if you're in Southwest Florida (Naples, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers area) you may prefer to call our Fort Myers, FL number: (239) 334-3933 - after our attorneys review your case, we will contact you to discuss your next steps.
Related Links
Safecar.gov Tire Safety Information
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