A tire malfunction can be catastrophic, putting drivers, passengers, and other road users at extreme risk. Tire tread separation sometimes causes serious accidents and dangerous scenarios on the road. If you have suffered an auto accident due to faulty tires, contact our California tire defect lawyers of Bisnar Chase now.
Tire tread separation can lead to serious and fatal crashes, speeding vehicles out of control. When this happens, the manufacturer might be at fault.
Bisnar Chase is a nationally renowned law firm with a sensational track history with auto defect cases. We have a 99% success rate and take pride in holding negligent automakers accountable. Contact us for a free consultation to find out if you have grounds for a tire separation lawsuit.
Tire Separation Accident Resources
What is Tire Separation?
To understand tire separation, we first need to understand what the tread is, and how a tire is put together. It is a little more complicated than just a round strip of rubber.
Every tire has a bead bundle. This is a rubber-coated loop of high-strength steel on the inside edge, used to secure tires onto the wheel rim. Within this loop is the inner liner, designed to retain air pressure.
The next layer is the body ply, which provides the tire’s structural foundation and contains its air pressure.
On top of the plies, you have the tire belts. These are rubber-coated layers of strong materials such as steel and fiberglass. The belts are designed to hold the plies in place, prevent them from being punctured, and support the tire tread.
Tire treads are positioned on top of the belts. These are the grooved rubber surfaces that you can see that come into contact with the road surface. They are designed to provide a durable point of contact with excellent grip and traction.
Essentially, tire tread separation is when that grooved outer layer of tread breaks away from the rest of the tire.
When there is a separation between the tire tread and the tire belts, it can cause a chain reaction resulting in serious accidents, horrific car crashes, and catastrophic injuries.
What Causes Tire Separation?
Tread separation is the most common form of tire malfunction and failure. There are several potential causes, ranging from manufacturer negligence to user error.
The most common causes of tire tread separation include:
- Manufacturer defect
The most common of all tire separation causes is a manufacturer defect that compromises the tire before it is even driven on. This occurs when the company producing the tire makes a mistake during the manufacturing process. This could include a failure in the bonding process between the tire belts and tread. It could also signal a failure to complete proper quality control.
- Excessive tire wear
All tires have a shelf life, usually measured in miles. It will depend on the type and quality of the tires, as well as how aggressively they are driven on, but most last somewhere in the 30,000-50,000 mile range. When tires start to wear out, they become prone to tread separation, blowouts, and loss of grip.
- Overinflation
If you overinflate your tires, it can have a pretty drastic impact on them. Overinflation can speed up the rate of wear, cause overheating, and lead to a lack of stability in the tires.
- Underinflation
Tires are designed to run on a certain level of air pressure. When that pressure is too low and the tire is running flat, it will ruin the vehicle’s handling and make it tough to control. When a car is running on a flat tire it will force the tire walls to flex more than they should. This, in turn, will cause overheating, resulting in the tire failing much sooner than normal. In some cases, it will also cause tread separation.
- Faulty puncture repair
When you get a slow puncture, the tire can often be repaired by plugging the hole, rather than having to replace it straight away. But if a radial patch-and-plug repair kit is misused, the plug may interfere with the structure of the tire and cause tread separation.
Top Tips for Avoiding tire tread separation accidents:
- Regularly check the pressure of your tires.
- Always inflate your tires to the recommended PSI
- Regularly visually inspect your tires.
- Do not drive if something does not feel right.
- Visit a mechanic or call roadside assistance if you are unsure of the integrity of your tires.
Tire Separation Lawsuits
Not all car accidents require a lawsuit. Some are simply unavoidable incidents that could not be prevented. But others are caused by negligence.
If you were involved in a tire tread separation accident that was caused at least in part by the negligence of a tire manufacturer, you should consider your legal options.
Manufacturers and retailers have a duty to their customers to make sure any products sold are safe and properly checked. This is especially true with tire manufacturers.
Vehicles can move at rapid rates, and the only things separating cars from the road surface are the tires. A separation or blowout accident is likely to cause major injuries or fatalities.
The first step toward holding negligent parties accountable is to contact the tire separation injury lawyers of Bisnar Chase.
Our firm has earned a top reputation when it comes to auto defect claims. We are here to make sure you get the justice you deserve; both in compensation and in holding the manufacturers accountable for their careless or reckless actions.
Signs of Tire Tread Separation (and how to check)
There are several signs that can tip you off if your tires are malfunctioning. All drivers and car owners should pay attention to the feel of their car to make sure they are not left driving an unsafe vehicle.
Some of the key warning signs of tire separation include:
- Vibrations: In some cases, you will feel vibrations while you are driving. They might start out as relatively minor, and increase in force as the separation worsens.
- Noises: Tire separation noises might include a rhythmic thumping sound. This sometimes occurs as the tread starts to break apart from the tire.
- Bulge: One of the first signs of tread separation that you will be able to see will be a bulge or bubble appearing in the tire. This could show up on the tread, on the shoulder, or on the sidewall of the tire.
- Misaligned tread: Another visual sign of separation is distorted tread patterns. The treads on a tire should run in straight lines. If they start to misalign into a wavy pattern, something is probably wrong.
Some of the indicators above can also be symptoms of other problems with a car. You should seek help from a specialist for an expert opinion.
Obviously, it is hard to know exactly what is going on inside a tire, and self-diagnosing tread separation can be difficult.
But vehicle owners need to be aware when anything does not look or feel right. Pay attention to the key signs of tire tread separation listed above. If anything does not feel right – for example, if the steering feels labored or less precise – you should take a look at the tires.
Visually inspect the tires and run your hands over them. Check for cracking or cuts in the tire sidewall, blistering, or excessive and/or uneven wear, in addition to the signs above.
If you have any concerns, do not drive the car.
If you do not discover the defect in time and are involved in an accident as a result of tire deterioration, contact our California tire defect lawyers of Bisnar Chase for expert help.
Tire Separation Accidents
We know that tire separation involves the tread pulling away from the belts within the tire. But what actually happens when a tread separates? What effect does this have on the car?
When many people think of accidents involving faulty tires, they think of blowouts. But that is not what happens in a tread malfunction.
Blowouts v. Tread Separation
A blowout involves the sudden loss of air pressure in a tire, usually due to excessive wear or overinflation. The air will explode out of the tire, leaving it flat. This usually only happens in older tires.
In contrast, in a tire failure crash involving tread separation, the tread (the top part of the tire that makes contact with the road) will strip away.
The tire will still be inflated, and the wheel will continue to turn, but now the car will be running with the inner air bladder and sidewalls against the road surface. These other parts of the tire are not meant to support the weight of the vehicle or deal with the rough road surface.
The tire that has now been stripped of its tread will now be at high risk of a blowout, but it will also lose all grip and traction. This will be especially dangerous because the other three tires will be working as normal, throwing the dynamics of the car into chaos.
Ultimately, tire tread separation will result in the immediate loss of traction and control, making it nearly impossible for the driver to control their car safely, especially at higher freeway speeds.
Tread separation will often cause the vehicle to veer across lanes, crashing into other cars, pedestrians, or stationary objects. In the most extreme cases, it can force the vehicle into a rollover crash.
The tread can also damage the underside of the car when it strips away.
A rollover crash or a high-speed impact with another vehicle or object can cause major damage and serious injuries or fatalities.
If you have been injured in such a crash, contact the California tire defect attorneys of Bisnar Chase now to find out if you could have legal recourse.
Tire Tread Separation Accident FAQs
Whether you have been involved in a tire separation accident, or are just looking for information on tread separation, we have you covered.
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about tire tread separation accidents. If your question is not answered, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us.
There is no set lifespan for a tire and no set amount of time that a tire will last once the tread has started separating. It will depend on the cause of the separation, how aggressively you are driving, and more. If you see, hear, or feel any of the warning signs for tire failure, do not wait to have it examined.
No. Once tread separation starts, you should get the tire replaced straight away. If the tread completely separates from the rest of the tire, it is no longer safe to drive on.
You cannot fix tire tread separation. Once the rubber tread starts to separate from the tire body and belts, it will have to be replaced.
You will be able to take legal action if some form of negligence was to blame for your tire separation accident. The best way to find out if you have a valid claim is to contact the tire tread separation injury attorneys of Bisnar Chase for a free consultation.
If you have a valid case, you will need a skilled tire defect attorney on your side to make sure you receive maximum compensation. Bisnar Chase has a no win, no fee promise. When you work with us, the initial case review is free, and you will be protected from out-of-pocket costs. You owe us nothing if we do not win your case.
Proving Liability in Tire Separation Cases
It is not always easy to prove liability, especially in tire defect cases when there are so many variables in play, many of them impossible to measure.
As experienced tire defect attorneys, it is our job to prove that the manufacturer and/or retailer was negligent in selling a defective tire.
For example, a manufacturer would be liable for an accident if:
- It used poor quality materials
- Production was compromised by improper curing or bonding
- It did not use proper quality control
- It failed to recall a tire with a known fault
A retailer could also be held accountable if it knowingly sold a faulty tire (such as a tire already subject to a recall).
It is important to preserve the remnants of your faulty tire, allowing us to analyze it with the help of skilled industry experts. We will also compile evidence showing exactly how the crash happened, breaking it down to clearly show what occurred after the tire failure.
We assemble evidence to build a strong case, and this can include:
- Police report
- Medical records showing the extent of your injuries and treatments
- Witness accounts of the crash
- Expert testimony
Our skilled personal injury attorneys have an outstanding track record in auto defect cases. Trust us to prove your case and secure the compensation you deserve.
Tire Separation Accident Injuries
As we have seen above, tire separation crashes can be extremely serious. High-impact crashes can lead to a wide range of injuries, including:
- Cuts and bruises
- Broken bones
- Head injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Internal injuries
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Death
Whether you sustained bruising after a rollover crash, have suffered painful broken bones, or have been left dealing with a permanent disability, Bisnar Chase can help you secure a measure of justice.
Your first step after an accident should be to make sure you are safe and receive the medical treatment you require.
Ensure that any evidence at the crash site is preserved if possible. Next, contact Bisnar Chase to make sure someone is fighting for you.
Defective Tire Accident Compensation
Most people want to know what their case could be worth. This is not a simple question, because every case is different.
The amount of compensation an injury victim could win will depend on a variety of factors. These include the level of pain and suffering they endure, the type of negligence responsible for their injuries, their medical expenses, future care costs, and much more.
Bisnar Chase has secured more than $900 million in verdicts and settlements for clients. Of that, more than $200 million has been won in auto defect cases.
We take great pride in supporting our clients when they most need help. We will take on even the largest and most high-profile tire manufacturers to make sure they are held accountable for any wrongdoings.
Many people are nervous to file large companies in lawsuits because of the resources they have to fight it. But Bisnar Chase is not afraid.
We will go toe to toe with tire industry giants, fighting for your rights in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached. We have the skill, experience, and resources to win your case.
Major Tire Recalls
There are countless cases of defective tires being recalled by manufacturers. Sometimes the manufacturer will receive complaints of accidents occurring and issue a voluntary recall. In other cases, they may be ordered to do so by watchdogs such as NHTSA.
Tire recalls are surprisingly common, with several recalls being issued every year. This is not a thing of the past. For example, in March 2021 Continental was forced to recall nearly 100,000 tires because the company discovered the batch had been cured for too long during production, making them unsafe.
Many recalls relate specifically to issues that can cause tire tread separation.
- Firestone, 1978: The largest tire recall in history involved Firestone in 1978. The company recalled 14.5 million tires after receiving more than 500 reports of tread separation and blowouts. It emerged that too much adhesive had been used to bind the rubber and steel belts, compromising the tires. Firestone was fined $500,000 for trying to hide the problem.
- Firestone, 2000: Firestone was again involved in a massive recall in 2000. Owned by tire giant Bridgestone, the companies were forced to recall 14.4 million tires that were linked to 271 deaths and more than 800 injuries through the 1990s.
- Hankook, 2021: Showing that this is not a problem of the past, Hankook issued a recall for thousands of tires in July 2021. It is believed the tires were produced without sufficient curative agent, creating a danger of tread separation.
All major tire manufacturers have had to issue recalls at some point, from Michelin and Bridgestone to Goodyear and Continental. It is important to note that issuing a recall does not automatically make a manufacturer liable. However, it does add to any evidence presented by the plaintiff.
Issuing a recall also does not save manufacturers from facing lawsuits. They are still responsible for their products and should compensate any victims that have been injured as a result of their negligence.
Contact Our Defective Tire Attorneys
Bisnar Chase is a top-rated auto defect law firm with an outstanding track record. We are here to make sure you are made whole for any injuries and losses caused by manufacturer negligence.
We have been in business since 1978, earning national acclaim over more than four decades. Over that time, we have won more than $900 million for our clients, maintaining a 99% success rate.
When you choose Bisnar Chase, your case is in safe hands.
Our passion is helping people, and we offer a free consultation and a no win, no fee promise, to make sure people of all means are able to fight negligent manufacturers and win.
Contact the tire separation lawyers of Bisnar Chase today to find out if you could have a case. Call (800) 561-4887, use the live chat feature on our website, or click here to email us.
