Tires, Wheels, & Mounting Machines

Name: Tires/Wheels Mounting Machines
Brand: McMath Woods P.A.
Rating: 4.5 (39 reviews)

Roadway hazards may be visible to attentive drivers, which provides drivers with the opportunity to try to avoid a collision. Some hazards, however, can appear without any warning or notice. These hazards are often related directly to vehicular defects. With most U.S. workers using cars to commute to work, it’s imperative for all vehicles to be in tip-top shape. While responsible drivers follow a proper maintenance schedule, there’s little a driver can do if their car experiences the consequences of a tire, wheel, or other defect.

Common Vehicle Defects

Some of the most common defects are related to tires, wheels, and 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 annually. It is essential to understand that these defects can cause serious accidents—why tires fail, how mounting mistakes happen, and when a manufacturer is at fault.

Were You Injured Due to a Defective Tire, Wheel, or Mount?

If 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 are prepared to help you investigate 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 involves connecting steel structures to rubber structures. If the steel and rubber interface is exposed to mechanical, thermal, or chemical stress, the tread may 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, from 750 to 1050-wheel separations occur on large trucks yearly. In some cases, the truck driver is unaware that the separation has occurred.

Mounting Errors

Faulty tire mounting can lead to significant damage 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 the inner toe area of the tire bead; however, too much lubricant can cause slippage. If insufficient 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, but it is also 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 tire 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. Before being shipped to a distributor, wheels, and tires must be inspected for bulges, cracks, and punctures. If tires are released to consumers with issues, the manufacturer may be liable in an auto product liability claim.

Additional Reasons Tires Fail

While tire or wheel failure is often a result of 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, we cannot prevent tire or wheel failure if a defect is present. If you or a loved one has 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.

The product liability lawyers at McMath Woods are focused on the pursuit of justice in cases of defective tires, wheels, and mounting machines that caused a serious injury or the tragic death of a loved one. We are honored to have served the Arkansas community for over 70 years, never wavering from our commitment to treat every client as family. As we take on a limited number of cases, we have the time and resources to move complex cases through the system and achieve justice after an accident caused by faulty tires, wheels, or mounting machines.