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Products Liability > Tire & Wheel Defects
RANDY DORMAN V. BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, INC.In a case tried by The Simon Law Firm, a Missouri jury awarded a $105 million verdict to a former tire repair worker who was seriously injured while inflating a truck tire when the multi-piece tire rim exploded. The side ring separated from the rim while the plaintiff was inflating the tire to the manufacturer’s specifications. The force of the explosion caused Mr. Dorman to suffer multiple fractures and a brain injury. Read More...
Co-Counsel With Us On Tire & Wheel Defect Cases
Many of our most successful cases have been referred to us by our colleagues and friends in legal communities throughout the United States. These attorneys call on us to provide additional experience, reputation and resources to maximize success for their clients. If you would like to discuss working with us on your client’s case, call us Toll Free at 877-767-3108 or click here to email John Simon.
EXPERIENCE…
Over the years, The Simon Law Firm has successfully handled a wide variety of tire and wheel defect cases. We have represented clients in many jurisdictions across the United States.
Tire and Wheel Litigation, like most product liability cases, is complex and can require a great deal of time and resources. In order to successfully pursue a Tire and Wheel Defect claim, a firm must have knowledgeable attorneys as well as an understanding of the technical principles that are involved in both the design and manufacturing process. The Simon Law Firm has the experience and resources necessary to successfully handle defective tire and wheel claims.
We have handled cases involving numerous tire and wheel makes and models, including:
• Firestone ATX and ATX II tires – including those manufactured
in the U.S. and in Japan
• Firestone Wilderness AT tires
• Dunlop GT Qualifier tires
• Daytona Radial tires
• Firestone RH5º multi-piece wheels
• Firestone RHP multi-piece wheels
• Firestone TU5 multi-piece wheels
• Firestone CR multi-piece wheels
Tire and Wheel defects include each of the following:
• Tire Tread Separations
A tread separation refers to the separation of the tread from the carcass of the tire. This separation usually occurs between the two steel belts and is one of the most common modes of tire failure.
• Tire Sidewall Failures
A sidewall failure, also known as a blowout, often involves a hole in the sidewall. These generally occur while a tire is being used on a vehicle when the tire is underinflated. Sidewalls may also undergo a “zipper failure” in which the sidewall bursts or explodes during the inflation process. The rupture pattern usually resembles an open zipper. In a zipper failure, there are no visual signs or indicators that the tire may fail during normal servicing.
• Tire Bead Failures
A bead failure involves the breakage of the bead, the part of the tire that contacts the wheel rim. This type of failure occurs during the mounting of a tire on a rim when the bead becomes hung up on the rim, creating huge stress on the entire bead. When the bead fractures, a low pressure explosion occurs, turning the tire and rim into high velocity projectiles which almost always result in serious injury or death. Tire bead failures are most frequent in the “space-saver” spares.
• Aged Tires
Tires do not have an infinite shelf life. Tires may fail due to ozone cracking, even where there is significant useable tread left on the tire. Ozone cracking appears as small cracks or fissures on the surface of the tire rubber. Aging tires increase the likelihood of a tire tread separation or tire sidewall failure.
• Multi-piece Wheel Explosions
Multi-piece wheels are inherently dangerous because the metal components are held together by the force of the tire’s air pressure and can explosively separate. Accidents can occur while the wheel is being assembled, when it is being mounted on a vehicle, and while it is in use on the road.
RESULTS…
We have a history of reaching favorable results for our clients who have been injured by these dangerous and defective products.
A sampling of these cases include:
Jason Frede and Alicia Frede v. Ford Motor Company et al.
Jason Frede and his sister Alicia suffered serious injuries when the Explorer in which they were occupants rolled over three to four times. The rollover was precipitated by a tread separation of the front driver’s side tire while they were traveling on Interstate 70. As the vehicle rolled over on the highway, both doors flew open, causing the occupants to be thrown about, held in the car only by their seat belts (both occupants were wearing seat belts). Both Plaintiffs sustained their injuries as a result of the doors coming open. The Plaintiffs received a settlement that was confidential in amount.
Melinda Thompson v. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., et al.
Ms. Thompson was riding in the front passenger seat of a Ford Explorer when the tread separated on the left rear Firestone ATX II tire, causing the Explorer to rollover. Ms. Thompson was ejected from the vehicle and sustained multiple injuries to her left leg for which she underwent over three years of treatment, including eleven surgeries. The Firestone ATX II involved in this accident was later the subject of a massive recall of 6.5 million tires by Firestone on August 9, 2000. A confidential settlement was reached.
Travis Tweedy v. Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC, et al.
A confidential settlement was reached on behalf of a worker injured while attempting to add air to a tire mounted on a multi-piece wheel that was on a John Deere tractor. As he did so, the split rim explosively separated, striking Mr. Tweedy in the leg and face. He suffered multiple fractures to his face, skull, and left knee as well as damage to his vision and hearing.
Read more about automobile accidents and motor vehicle defects.
