Senior Partner
Drivers are responsible for ensuring that their automobiles are in safe working condition. Part of that responsibility includes making sure tires are properly maintained. Tires that are not in good shape can cause a serious or even fatal accident. Sometimes, the blame lies with other individuals such as car mechanics or even the manufacturer of the tire. These accidents can be complicated because of the numerous parties who may be liable. If you’ve been hurt, it’s time to call Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C.’s personal injury attorneys.
How can bad tires pose a danger?
Safe working tires are essential for the proper operation of an automobile. All drivers have the duty to make sure that not just their tires but every other part of their vehicles are road worthy. The problem is that not everyone takes the time to inspect their vehicles, even casually, to identify potential issues. But that’s no excuse for putting others at risk of an accident.
These are just some of the ways tires can cause a serious accident:
Overinflation. Too much air in the tires reduces the amount of tread in contact with the road. In turn, the tires have far less grip than they should. The vehicle could skid or roll over.
Underinflation. A flat tire, or one that has too little air in it, is equally dangerous. Not enough air in the tires reduces stability and thereby makes it much harder to control the vehicle.
Worn tires. Tires should not be driven to the point that they are “bald” or devoid of the necessary tread that allows for safe driving. A driver has no excuse for failure to replace worn-out tires.
Manufacturing and design defects. In some cases, blowouts happen because of a problem with the manufacturing or design of the tire. Companies that make tires are responsible for ensuring that their products are reasonably safe.
Who can be held liable for tire-related accidents?
After an automobile accident, a personal injury attorney will investigate the underlying causes leading up to it. If it becomes clear that poor tires were the cause or a contributing factor in the accident, it must then be determined who was liable. Some examples include:
- Drivers
- Mechanics and repair shops
- Tire manufacturers
- Retail tire companies
In some cases, multiple parties can be held liable. For example, the tire manufacturer may have been responsible for producing the defective tire in the first place. But a retailer may not have followed recall instructions issued by the manufacturer to take the tire off the market.
If there were multiple parties responsible for your accident, your lawyer will work to identify and hold them accountable. The more potential defendants in a personal injury lawsuit, the better, especially if your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages are significant.
Serious Accidents Demand Serious Legal Representation
When people are injured because of someone else’s negligent conduct, we go to work. At Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C., we treat your case as we would want to be treated had we been injured. Do you suspect that a driver’s tires or other vehicle components were to blame for your accident? Contact us to get started on your matter today.
