Tire and Vehicle Stability Matters
Tire blow outs and other tire defects are a common cause of SUV rollover accidents. Due to the improper design or manufacture of a tire, the tread can separate from the tire at highway speeds, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and roll, resulting in catastrophic injuries or even fatalities. While tires can fail for several reasons, one cause is where the structural integrity of the tire begins to deteriorate over time, a process known as thermo-oxidative degradation. This deterioration occurs when air molecules pass through the inner liner of the tire and breakdown the polymer bond that adheres the steel belts; this deterioration is accelerated in hot climates. Tire manufacturers can minimize tread separations by incorporating a nylon overlay, or cap ply, around the steel belts in the manufacturing process. It is important to note that while a tire may appear on the outside to be in good condition, it may be internally compromised; this is especially true for spare tires. Many vehicle manufacturers recommend that tires should not be placed on a vehicle if they are more than six years old.
Once a tread separation occurs, the vehicle's safety features must perform to protect its occupants. The proper design and installation of electronic stability control on a vehicle can allow the driver to maintain control of the vehicle and prevent it from rolling. A well designed occupant restraint system will also help minimize injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or death from a car accident due to a tire or vehicle defect, you should seek fair compensation for any damages suffered.
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Covering Every Component of Your Case
At Stark Williamson & Clausen LLP, our practice has helped many clients recover sizeable awards from manufacturers or maintenance facilities due to the negligent repair or manufacture of tires and vehicles. Hiring a law firm capable of seeking all potential sources of liability takes on increasing importance in product defect cases because the injuries our clients suffer are often catastrophic, such as head injuries, brain injuries, permanent paralysis and even death.
As highly experienced Phoenix tire defect attorneys with more than 70 years of combined experience, we are there for our clients from start to finish. Unlike other firms which may hand off clients at certain points in the process, our services encompass everything from investigation and questioning, discovery, hiring experts and hospital lien issues to negotiations, trial and the appeals process. If a minor (under 18 years old) is a victim, we can even help with probate matters.
Rollover Car Accidents - Safety Features
Vehicle manufacturers know that when a SUV has a tire blow out, or loss of tire pressure or tread, at highway speeds, that SUV is susceptible to rolling over. When a driver of a SUV experiences a tire disablement, the absence of proper safety features or improper design and manufacturing of the vehicle can have deadly results. Most people are surprised to learn that the electronic stability control is one of the most important features of a SUV. Manufacturers have a responsibility to design the SUV in a manner that minimizes the risk of a roll over accident. High profile vehicles which are intended to carry multiple passengers, such as a SUV or van, should be automatically equipped with safety features such as electronic stability control and side curtain airbags.
Defective Seat Belts and Roofs
Vehicle manufacturers know that the roof of a car should be designed to protect its occupants, even during a roll over. Industry experts have coined the phrase "occupant survival space"; thus, while some roof crush is expected in a roll over accident, it should not intrude upon the occupants' safety zone. Unfortunately, in an attempt to make the vehicle lighter in order to meet EPA mileage standards, vehicle manufacturers often remove steel from the roof or roof supports, thereby weakening the structure. Similarly, seat belts and airbags are often designed to restrain an occupant during a frontal collision; however, the dynamic forces involved in a roll over accident are remarkably different and the seat belt may fail to lock. Also, poor seat belt design can cause children to slide out of the seat belt and be ejected during an accident.
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We want to know what happened and we want to help. Please call 602-285-4450 or contact us through our e-mail to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced Phoenix tire defect lawyers.
