Companies that manufacture automotive parts have a basic responsibility to ensure that their products will not cause harm to their customers. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. Frequent news reports show new recalls, malfunctions and defects in seat belts, air bags, crumple zones, tires, engine parts, brakes, accelerators, and other mechanical and safety parts in different makes and models of vehicles. Defective parts in automobiles present serious risks to their drivers and passengers. Even the safest drivers can be involved in accidents caused by defective or malfunctioning parts.
Defective Tires
If a vehicle has defective tires, the possibility of an accident increases dramatically. These defects can arise at any stage of the design, manufacture, or distribution process:
Design. Tires may be designed with original flaws that are not discovered during testing and that manifest themselves during later accidents.
Manufacture. A manufacturing company may use defective products or processes while manufacturing a tire.
Distribution. Tires may be exposed to damaging conditions during the distribution process.
Some tire defects go unnoticed until they result in a tire blowout that can cause a serious accident. To reduce the risk of injury during an accident caused by a defective tire, it is important to properly maintain your tires and check them for signs of damage, wear, and defects. To do this:
Perform regular inspections to look for excessive damage. Pay special attention to the tread and make sure that the traction is not wearing off and that the tread is not beginning to separate.
Be sure that there are no nails, sharp objects, construction materials, or other objects lodged into your tire.
Take your car into the shop for regular tire rotations to ensure that the tread is exposed to even wear.
By regularly inspecting your vehicle, you can catch problems early, before they cause accidents.
Tread Separation
If the tread separates from your tires, serious accidents can occur. Tread separation occurs when the outer layer of rubber strips away from the rest of the tire. This defect is found in some modern steel-belted tires and has been attributed as the cause of many accidents. Even if the tread does not completely separate, the defect can still cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle and get into an accident. In vehicles with high centers of gravity, this defect increases the chance of roll over accidents. Additionally, the tread may pose a risk to other drivers who attempt to dodge it on the roadway.
To learn more about product defects and car accident prevention, visit the website of the Wisconsin car accident lawyers of Habush, Habush, & Rottier, S.C.
