Tires may seem like they are just a bit of rubber to give your car traction on the road. In reality, there is a large amount of science and engineering that goes into designing a tire before dozens of materials and rubbers are used to manufacture the tire. Problems with tire tread manufacturing can allow dangerous accidents occur. Alternatively, drivers who take their car out with dangerous tires may be placing others at risk.
If you or a loved one was involved in an accident because someone’s tires were bald, talk to an attorney today. Tires should never go bald if changed after a reasonable period, and problems with a tire may indicate a manufacturing or design defect or negligent maintenance and upkeep. For a free consultation on your case, contact the Philadelphia bald tire car accident lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm today. Our number is (215) 709-6940.
What Are the Risks of Bald Tires?
Tires grip the road in different ways depending on the design of the tire. Those familiar with auto racing may be aware that tires used on those cars often have a flat tread, with plenty of surface area to grip the road. This is good for those situations, where the track surface is smooth and creates a strong connection with the tires. However, road tires need grooves and ridges to do their job properly. During rain or snow, the ridges and crevices in a tire perform the vital task of moving water out of the way, helping improve traction on the road. Since roads are not typically flat and perfectly paved, especially in Eastern Pennsylvania, proper tire tread is an absolute must for vehicle safety.
While the owner of a car is obviously expected to be responsible for their car’s condition, mechanics and service departments of dealerships are often the ones who actually perform the maintenance on your car and inspect it. In fact, one of the requirements for a PA State vehicle inspection is that your tires are in good condition. Part of this means that you must comply with 75 Pa.C.S. § 4525, which gives the standards for tires on Pennsylvania roads. If your vehicle inspection is approved when your tires are in an unsafe condition, you may be lulled into a sense of security and face a serious accident if your tire tread is in fact too weak.
In general, it is important to check your own tire treads. One rule of thumb to check your tire tread is to insert a penny into the slot between the ridges of tire treads, with Lincoln’s head facing down. If the ridge does not at least meet the top of his head, your tire treads are probably too worn-down and should be replaced as soon as possible.
Who is Responsible for Bald Tire Accidents?
Many bald tire accidents are actually caused by manufacturing defects or design flaws that lead the tire to break or lose tread too early. In these cases, the driver and their passengers may face serious injuries if the driver is unable to get traction and stop the car in time. Many of these accidents involve a car drifting into traffic or potentially losing traction and driving off the road surface. Even if this car crash is a single-vehicle collision, you may be entitled to compensation from the tire manufacturer if the accident was caused by defective or dangerous tires.
If you were injured by a driver with bald tires on their car, you may be entitled to compensation from that driver and their insurance company. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that their car is safe and complies with the rules of the road. If a car’s tires do not pass inspection or are unsafe under the rules in 75 Pa.C.S. § 4525, the driver may be negligent in taking their car out. Driving with worn-down, old tires puts you and others at risk, especially if the road surface is slick from water, ice, oil accumulation, or other issues.
If you were hurt because of a defective tire, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against the tire manufacturer. Many tire defect cases have dealt with tires that wear-down too fast and lose tread too quickly, and victims of these kinds of accidents have received compensation for these issues. If the crash was caused by a negligent driver who failed to change their old, worn-out tires, that negligence may help prove they were at fault for the crash.
Either way, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering if you faced serious injuries during the crash. Talk to an attorney today to see if you can file a lawsuit for your bald tire accident.
Contact Our Lawyers For a Free Consultation in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia worn tire lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm represent injury victims in cases against negligent manufacturers and drivers for injuries suffered in auto accidents. Never settle your case before discussing your options with a Philadelphia car accident lawyer and learning how much your case may be worth. For a free consultation on your case, contact our law offices today at (215) 709-6940.
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