You trust the tires on your car, truck, or van to be safe. Unfortunately, consumers don’t always get the quality they pay for. Hidden internal defects can make your tires dangerous to drive on, eventually leading to a serious accident. Defective tires can explode, fall apart, or separate from the vehicle, instantly causing a catastrophic loss of control. As vehicles swerve to avoid a collision, multiple cars can pile up in the crash.
If you or one of your family members was injured in Maryland car accident caused by tire failure, talk to a trusted attorney about your legal options. At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, we have years of experience representing injured drivers, passengers, cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians, ensuring your claim will be handled with efficiency, professionalism, and care. Whether you were injured after your own tires failed, or you were struck by a vehicle with faulty tires, we can work strategically to maximize your recovery. Contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras online to set up a free legal consultation today, or call (410) 694-7291 for assistance.
Tire Defect Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 750 people were killed in “tire-related crashes” during 2017 alone. Even more people are non-fatally injured, with roughly 19,000 injuries reported from about 33,000 tire accidents per year. Many crashes are caused by defects, while others result from underinflation, overinflation, or inadequate maintenance and inspection.
Types + Causes of Tire Failure
There are several ways that a tire can fail, any of which can have catastrophic results. Some common examples include bead failures, rim failures, and sidewall failures, or a separation between the tire tread and belt.
While tires can fail in many ways, most tire failures can be traced back to human error. For example, there may have been one or more errors on the part of a manufacturer, a retailer, a mechanic, or an engineer, such as a failure to use proper adhesives or other materials. We can conduct a thorough investigation to determine who caused or overlooked the defects which led to your accident.
Defective Tire Accident Injury Claims We Handle
An underinflated tire, overinflated tire, or defective tire can explode or blow out without warning, causing total loss of control over the vehicle. Even in single-vehicle accidents, there can be multiple injuries or fatalities if a tire suddenly fails.
Randolph Rice is an experienced Maryland accident lawyer who can help you with any type of injury claim involving a defective tire. Types of personal injury claims handled at Rice, Murtha & Psoras include:
- Back and spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Bone fractures (broken bones)
- Bruises or contusions
- Catastrophic injuries
- Cuts and bleeding
- Facial injuries, such as a broken nose or cuts on the face
- Head and brain injuries, such as concussions
- Hip, knee, shoulder, or other joint injuries
- Internal injuries
- Torn ligaments or dislocated joints
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Wrongful death
Who is Liable for Tire Failures in Maryland?
Unfortunately, the tire recalls that are meant to protect consumers may be allowing dangerous defects to slip through the safety net – and onto the roads. In 2015, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which investigates U.S. transportation accidents, described the country’s recall system as being “completely broken.”
When manufacturers sell defective and dangerous tires, they may be liable for the resulting injuries if an accident occurs. Other parties who may be liable for a tire-related auto accident include mechanics, tire design engineers, and others who designed, sold, inspected, repaired, or installed your tires.
Compensation for Car Accidents Caused by Defective Tires
You may be able to recover compensation if you were injured in a collision or car accident that was caused by a problem with your tires or with the other driver’s tires. it may be possible for you to get compensated for various damages (losses), including:
- Lost wages, including wages that you are predicted to lose in the future due to a permanent disability or impairment
- Medical bills, such as costs associated with surgery, hospitalization, medication, and other treatments, appointments, or medical devices that you need for your injuries
- Pain and suffering you experienced as a result of your injuries
There are several ways to pursue injury compensation for a car accident caused by tire defects, such as filing a claim with your own insurance company, against the other driver’s insurance company, or suing the other driver directly. Our office will help you understand your legal rights and take the appropriate steps to seek compensation.
Maryland Lawyer for Accidents Caused by Tire Failure
At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, we believe in making your case our priority. We are ready to fight aggressively if you or one of your loved one was hurt in a tire-related accident. To find out whether you could have a case for your Maryland tire failure injury, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291, or contact us online today. We are available 24/7 to handle injury claims throughout Maryland.