Tire Failure & Tire Tread Separation Rollovers

Tire failures are responsible for numerous injuries and deaths, primarily from tire tread separations and blow-outs. Many of these tire tread failure or tire belt defects, lead to rollover accidents. These tire tread separations are caused by design or manufacturing defects in the tire and tire tread. When a steel-belted radial tire loses its tread at highway speeds, the result is frequently a loss of control and vehicle rollover. When the tire blowout occurs to a rear tire, controlling the vehicle becomes very difficult, especially at highway speeds. This loss of control results in the rear of the vehicle swinging around to become perpendicular to the direction of travel (yawing). The resulting tire failure and rollover problem is exacerbated by the high center-of-gravity vehicle design which are found in many popular SUVs, 15 passenger vans and light trucks.

In some tire tread separation / rollover cases the tire tread has separated and peeled off the tire leaving just the tire core, without any significant loss of tire pressure. In tire tread separations like this, the driver still has a reduced ability to control the vehicle increasing the likelihood of a rollover accident or crash. Sometimes seconds before a strange thumping sound will be heard, which is the immediate start of the tire tread separation.The tire tread starts to separate it hits the wheel well it may break off into small pieces of the separated tire tread along the roadway or the tire tread separation may result in one long piece of tread. Even with very experienced drivers, tire tread separations rollovers can occur and the vehicle can start traveling sideways or yawing.

If the vehicle yawing is not immediately reversed in direction, then the sideways motion often leads to the tire bead of the tire separating from the rim or de-beading, allowing the rim to dig into the pavement or surface, resulting in propelling or tripping the vehicle into a roll over. Tripping of the vehicle can also result in a rollover if sufficient amount of sideway movement occurs in a grass or dirt median to actually trip the vehicle and launch it into a rollover.

Causes of Tire Tread Separations

Tire manufacturers have known that a leading cause of tire tread separation is due to the tire design and placements of the belts and overlying tread. Tire tread separations and belt separations can also occur due to poor adhesion of the components from the use of old and expired adhesives, improper temperatures, rust, unclean manufacturing facility, moisture, oxidation, grease, sawdust, gum wrappers and EVEN cigarette butts. A problem leading to tire tread separation can be the result of tire belt separation due to the failure of rubber to adhere to the metal of the steel belts. If the sulfur and other compounds are not to the correct mixture, then incomplete belt adhesion occurs. If a shiny brass look is seen on the tire belts, then there may be a deficiency in the tire tread bonding process, if not also compounded by other tire defects.

Another major cause of tire tread separations may be due to the age of the tire itself. Many tires on vehicles today are too old to be safe. In fact, the tire tread on an old or aging tire may look new and the tire tread may be deep, but the aging process of rubber combined with the heat from summer months, location on the vehicle can cause degradation of the rubber, tire tread and the tire tread adhesion to the tire core itself. When such rubber break down or degrading occurs, then the tire tread can come loose and a tire tread separation, especially at highway speeds very likely. Tire manufacturers have known that tire age is major cause of tire tread separation rollovers and tire failure accidents throughout the United States, but especially in the hotter southern and western states, where the tire tread stays hotter for longer periods of time.

Tire Tread Separation Failure - Injuries & Deaths

Our personal injury law firms have a considerable background in tire tread separation defect litigation and has accumulated a wealth of information pertaining to tire tread separations, defects and have filed numerous tire tread separation lawsuits. We have successfully handled tire tread failure litigation against nearly every major tire manufacturer, including tires made by Bridgestone / Firestone, Michelin, Cooper, Continental Tire, Firestone Tire, Kumho Tire, General, B.F. Goodrich, Uniroyal Tire and Titan Tire. Due to Rob Ammons' vast knowledge and experience in handling tire defect cases, he was chosen to serve on the Plaintiff's Steering Committee for the National Ford/Firestone tire litigation.

In 1997, Ammons & Willis handled one of the nation's first Firestone ATX Radial Tire Tread Separation and Ford Explorer rollover cases which occurred south of Houston, Texas. A products liability lawsuit was filed in 1998 against Ford and Firestone due to the Ford Explorer going out of control and rolling after the back left Firestone ATX radial tire tread separated. After a long battle with Ford and Firestone, a very significant confidential settlement was reached by all parties.

On July 17, 2001, Mr. Willis and Mr. Ammons were recognized as select products liability attorneys in the nation and both were awarded the prestigious Steven J. Sharp Public Service Award for their contributions in investigating and gathering evidence pertaining to tire tread / belt separation and vehicle rollovers in Firestone Tire and Ford Explorer Cases. The efforts by these selected attorneys and others helped lead to the largest recall in U.S. history. This award was presented to Ammons and Willis by the President of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

Tire Tread Failure & Separation Lawsuits

If you or a member of your family has been seriously injured or a loved one killed in a rollover or accident, in which may have been caused in part to a tire failure or tire tread separation, then call us to discuss this matter with nationally recognized trial lawyers experienced with tire tread defects and tire tread separation lawsuits. For a Free & Confidential Case Consultation Click Here or if you prefer, call and talk personally with Mr. Willis or his legal staff at 1-800-883-9858.