Bridgestone-Firestone Recalls Tires for Possible Tread Separation
Bridgestone-Firestone Recalls Tires for Possible Tread Separation
Bridgestone-Firestone North America is recalling more than 36,000 heavy truck tires in the United States and Canada because the tread can separate from the body and cause tire failure. According to a CNBC news report, the recall covers 22.5-inch Firestone FS561 replacement tires manufactured between January 25 and January 27. The company has filed documents with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) saying that the recall covers tires that are used on trailers.
The company has also said it is investigating what causes the problem. The recall was initiated when the company noticed an unusual number of warranty returns. So far, Bridgestone-Firestone says there have been no reports of accidents or injuries as a result of these defective tires. When the recall begins, Bridgestone-Firestone will replace the tires at no cost to consumers.
What is Tire Tread Separation?
Tire tread separation refers to the potentially dangerous condition in which the tread of the tire separates from the casing or the body. When a tread separates, there is a heightened risk of blowouts and crashes. For the tire to remain durable and safe, the rubber compounds within the tire should be properly bonded. When that is not the case and there are manufacturing defects, tread separation becomes a possibility.
Injuries and Damages
When tire tread separation occurs, even an experienced driver could completely lose control of the vehicle. In 2000, Congress enacted the TREAD Act or the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act in response to fatalities caused by Ford Explorer SUVs fitted with Firestone tires. A number of deaths and severe injuries were linked to defective tires that lost their tread and poorly designed SUVs that rolled over and caused devastating injuries and fatalities.
If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a defective auto or a faulty tire, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries, damages and losses by filing a product liability lawsuit against the automaker and the manufacturer of the defective part. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress.
Families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for their damages as well. Victims and their families would also be well advised to contact an experienced auto product liability attorney who will protect their rights and hold the negligent manufacturers accountable. The best auto defect law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.
