Roadway hazards are often visible to attentive drivers, which provides drivers with the opportunity to try to avoid a collision. Some hazards, however, can strike without any warning or notice. These hazards are often related directly to vehicular defects.
With the majority of U.S. workers using cars to commute to work, it’s imperative for all vehicles to be in tiptop shape. While responsible drivers follow a proper maintenance schedule, there’s little a driver can do if their car experiences the consequences of a defect.
Some of the most common defects are related to tires, wheels, & mounting machines. Tires that have been improperly mounted can quickly cause an accident on the road. According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, approximately 500 people die and 19,000 sustain injuries due to tire-related defects. In order to understand how these defects lead to accidents, it’s important to know why tires fail, how mounting mistakes happen, and when a manufacturer is at fault.
In the event you are a victim of a car accident caused by a tire or wheel defect, you have the right to file an auto product liability claim. Our attorneys at McMath Wood P.A. are prepared to help you prove your case.
Primary Causes of Tire Failure
Radial Tire Tread Separation
A radial tire is designed with cord plies arranged at 90 degrees to the direction of travel. This design is considered superior when compared to other designs. One of the difficulties in making safe and durable radial tires has to do with connecting steel structures to rubber structures. If the steel and rubber interface is exposed to mechanical, thermal, or chemical stress, the tread may start to deteriorate.
Wheel Separation
Wheel separations often lead to the loss of vehicular control and the possibility of a collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, 750 to 1050 wheel separation incidents occur on large trucks each year. In some cases, the truck driver isn’t aware that the separation has occurred.
Mounting Errors
Faulty tire mounting can lead to significant damaged to the tires or wheels that can cause tire failure or a blowout.
Keep reading to learn about the most common tire mounting mistakes.
Common Tire Mounting Mistakes
The performance of any vehicle’s tires relies on proper tire and wheel mounting and balancing. In the event these procedures aren’t performed correctly, tire failure can occur.
Here are some of the most common tire mounting mistakes:
Proper lubrication is not used.
When tires are mounted and removed, lubrication is key. A mechanic should apply lubricant to the balcony of the wheel drop, on the bead seat, and on the inner toe area of the tire bead; however, too much lubricant can cause slippage. If not enough lubricant is used, the wheels and tires may sustain damage.
Hand-held bars are used to hold the tire in the drop center.
It’s important to use the correct mechanical or pneumatic assists when mounting tires. Not only is this way faster, it is safer. If hand-held bars are used the mechanic risks damaging the tire, as well as themselves.
Special systems are ignored.
Newer vehicles often have tire pressure monitoring systems in place. These systems exist for a reason, so it’s important to check the sensor at the valve before mounting the tire to make sure it’s working.
The reverse mount wheels are handled improperly.
In order to handle reverse mount wheels properly, a mechanic should avoid scratching the wheels’ surface and use jaw protection when clamping to avoid damage.
The bead breaker is inserted the wrong way.
The sidewall plies and wheels can be damaged if the bead breaker is inserted the wrong way.
Tire Failure and Structural Defects
In addition to the causes listed above, sometimes the manufacturer is at fault for an accident involving tire and wheel failure. Manufacturing defects often result in poor adhesion between the tread and belts. Wheels and tires, prior to heading to a distributor, should be inspected for bulges, cracks, and punctures. If tires are released to consumers with issues, the manufacturer may be held liable in the event of an auto product liability claim.
Addition Reasons Tires Fail
While tire or wheel failure is often a result of a mounting or manufacturing errors, there are other reasons these failures occur:
- Under inflation
- Overinflation
- Overloading
- Excessive speed
- General wear and tear
- Inclement weather or other road hazards
Legal Help for Accidents Caused by Faulty Tires, Wheels, & Mounting Machines
While we can take steps to keep our vehicles in the best shape possible, there’s nothing we can do to prevent tire or wheel failure if a defect is present. If you or a loved one have experienced an accident like this, we can help you seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries. We handle many of our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. Contact our firm today for a free evaluation of your claim.
