Ford Pickup Tread Separation and Rollover

Myers, 25, was driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck when the tread separated in the left rear tire. Myers lost control, and the truck left the roadway and rolled over. Myers was ejected and suffered a compression fracture at T8, resulting in paraplegia. His medical expenses were about $408,000. Prior to the incident, Myers was working as a parts runner for a construction company earning $7.50 an hour.

Rob Ammons represented Mr. and Mrs. Myers and their two children against Kumho Tire (the tire manufacturer) and Ford Motor Co. (the pickup truck manufacturer). Ammons sued the tire manufacturer, alleging that the adhesion between the tire's brass-plated steel cord and the surrounding rubber was defective, resulting in inadequate bonding. Plaintiffs also sued the truck manufacturer, alleging that the truck was defective by reason of its (1) propensity to roll, (2) insufficient roof strength and lack of a roll cage, (3) inadequate restraint system, and (4) lack of glazing to reduce the risk of ejection. Additionally, Plaintiffs sued the manufacturer of the seat belt buckle used in the truck, alleging the buckle was defectively designed in that it was susceptible to inertial release during rollovers. The tire manufacturer contended the tire failure resulted from excessive wear and the condition of the tire, which had two patches on it at the time of the accident. All Defendants contended their products were not defective and that Myers had negligently contributed to the accident.

Myers v Qjsality Truck Tires II, Inc., Tex., Andrews County 109th Dist. Ct., No. 14,389.

Rob Ammons obtained a confidential settlement for the Myers' family from Kuhmo Tire. Mr. Ammons also obtained a confidential settlement from Ford Motor Co. on behalf of the Myers' family.