Maryland Road Accidents Caused by Tire Failure

It’s not surprising that in these modern, consumer-oriented times, people have come to expect the best out of the products that they buy. Customer satisfaction has, in general, driven many companies to design and manufacture quality goods that are relied upon by consumers to function as they were intended without major problems. However, as personal injury attorneys, the legal team at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, knows that many injuries and untimely deaths are still caused in whole or part from the failure of products to function correctly.

When it comes to an average automobile, the hundreds of working parts under the hood and throughout the vehicle itself must act in concert to provide not only a comfortable driving experience, but a reliable and safe one as well. The failure of one or more components or systems in a fast-moving car, truck or motorcycle can be disastrous. Depending on the circumstances, a broken or failed part or component can be potentially fatal to the vehicle’s driver and/or its passengers.

Although most people do not usually consider all of the numerous and unseen parts of a motor vehicle, there are items that are seen on a regular basis, but which often receive nary a thought until something happens to interrupt the owner’s daily routine. For many people, a blown cylinder head gasket or leaky transmission may be a major headache, but these problems rarely result in bodily injury or death. On the other hand, a sudden and unexpected tire failure on the beltway can result in a car crash and possible injuries.

As auto accident injury lawyers, the legal team at Lebowitz & Mzhen understands the safety issues posed by poorly maintained or badly designed vehicle components. We know that while tires may be one of the most noticeable items of safety-related equipment on any motor vehicle, vehicle owners may often take the condition of their tires for granted until something happens to garner their attention. And this is when the tires are designed correctly and in serviceable condition.

The importance of having well-designed and properly manufactured tires on a vehicle should never be underestimated when it comes to vehicle safety. In fact, the health and well-being of every occupant riding in a motor vehicle can many times hinge on the condition of the tires, wheels and brake system. The trouble can come when drivers, auto repair shops or manufacturers themselves fail to recognize the dangers of poor tire performance, maintenance or design.

It is a sad commentary that many people still suffer from tire failures resulting from poor maintenance. While a tire may be designed well from the start, ignoring these essential pieces of automotive equipment can be a deadly mistake. As automobile and commercial trucking accident attorneys, Lebowitz & Mzhen know that tires must function properly in order for a car, truck or motorcycle to perform well and handle safely. Yet it is common to find a fair percentage of motor vehicles operating on public roadways with one or more tires that are either under- or over-inflated.

It is a fact that when the air pressure in a tire is below the manufacturer’s recommended level, excessive generation of heat can cause rapid tire wear and may ultimately result in a blowout. Whether the failure is due to a sidewall failure or a problem with the belts or tread, a blowout can often lead to a crash. Depending on the speed of the vehicle, as well as other factors, severe injuries or even death may result from failure of a single car or truck tire.

Depending on the speed at the time, avoiding an accident that is caused by a blown-out tire can be almost impossible. This is because the time window for making a crash avoidance maneuver is extremely small at higher speeds. Roadway conditions can also affect the driver’s ability to control a vehicle once a blowout has occurred and may even contribute to the severity of the injuries sustained by occupants of the vehicle.

For example, a tire blowout that occurs while a car or truck is traveling on a wet or otherwise slippery road may make a crash impossible to avoid, especially for inexperienced drivers. Even a seasoned motorist can get in over his head when a blowout takes place at highway speeds or in heavy traffic where the margin for error is greatly reduced.

Shallow tread depth is another tire condition that can eventually cause an accident. Road hazards are more likely to puncture a tire that has minimal tread depth, but hydroplaning and loss of steering control in heavy rain storms, or loss of grip on snowy roads, are also problems that can cause a driver to lose control of his or her vehicle. Of course, a poorly manufactured tire or one that has been improperly modified can pose even more hidden threats to drivers and passengers.

As experienced trial lawyers and professional personal injury attorneys, Lebowitz & Mzhen know that many multi-vehicle traffic collisions, as well as some single-vehicle wrecks can result from a defect in a tire’s design or manufacture. Our training in products liability law also gives us the skills to handle auto injury and wrongful death cases arising from the failure of a defective tire. Some of the typical problems leading to tire failure include the following: -- Improper inflation (under or over) -- Separated tread -- Separation of the inner belts or cords -- Failure of the tire sidewall -- Bead failure -- Improper tire-wheel mounting procedures -- Incorrect rubber compounding --Tires suffering from age or improper storage

Whatever the cause, the legal team at Lebowitz & Mzhen is ready and willing to assist victims and their families recover damages due to them under the law. We understand the rising costs of medical care make the future very uncertain for someone who has been permanently injured or otherwise medically compromised due to a car, motorcycle or commercial trucking accident. There is no reason to go it alone when pursuing monetary relief from a negligent party or parties.

Here in Maryland, beltway accidents, commercial truck collisions and motorcycle wrecks precipitated by a catastrophic tire failure are potentially life-threatening events that can leave a person in the hospital for days or weeks, even months. Understanding personal injury law is our job, and helping clients prevail in personal injury lawsuits is our goal. In cases of wrongful death, our attorneys can assist the family of the victim recover medical costs, funeral expenses and damages for pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt in a car or truck accident resulting from a defective tire or other automotive equipment failure, we highly recommend contacting a qualified injury attorney who has experience in handling these types of lawsuits. Lebowitz & Mzhen is happy to speak with victims and their families regarding injury-related traffic accident cases. Please call our law offices at (800) 654-1949 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. If you like, you may also contact us by sending an email to either Jack Lebowitz or Vadim Mzhen to set up an appointment.