Experienced Attorneys Serving Victims of Recalled Products
The answer may surprise you.
Tire recalls are meant to protect the consumer. When these recalls are issued by the manufacturer, the manufacturer offers to correct the defect or replace the defective product. However, the consumer recall system is flawed, and news reports and investigations have proven that recalled tires are still on the road. The government has already admitted that the recall system is just as defective as some of the tires still in use today, which means thousands of motorists are at risk.
A year-long investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) back in 2015 found that the system for recalling defective tires is broken. They admit that a large majority of those issues are systemic, which means that consumers cannot do anything to correct it. The investigation was initiated in 2015 when a deadly crash occurred due to a recalled tire. An ABC investigation found that some recalled tires were still being sold at retail outlets, and hundreds were unaccounted for.
The Firestone Recall is Ongoing
The initial Firestone recall started back in 2000, when the company was contacted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding tire failures causing deadly accidents across the country. It was later discovered that Firestone had knowledge about their tires’ propensity to separate on the highway, but they never informed the government about their findings.
Initially, Firestone recalled 2.8 million tires, but only 90,259 tires were confirmed to be removed, according to Wikipedia.
Tire Dealers Do Not Register
A tire dealer is not required to register tires they sell with the tire’s manufacturer. Therefore, when there is a recall, these distributors and dealers may not receive recall notifications and the manufacturer is unlikely to know which retail outlets sell their tires.
Worse still: The consumers who purchase tires from these retailers will not be contacted about potential defects with their tires.
In the same investigation, the NTSB estimated that one out of five recalled tires are effectively removed from retail during a recall. Then, they estimate that 24 percent are naturally removed for replacements. However, they estimate that 56 percent of recalled tires are still on the road.
Injured by a Defective Tire? You Have Options
A recall does not give the manufacturer immunity from a defective product lawsuit. If you or a loved one is injured in a motor vehicle accident due to a defective tire, you may have a claim against the manufacturer, retailer, and distributor. These companies have a duty to warn the public about potential issues, but also have a duty to sell safe, reliable products. Injuries that result from a defective tire qualify for a product liability lawsuit against the companies responsible.
To explore your options for a defective tire lawsuit, contact a personal injury attorney in Kentucky as soon as possible. The Gladstein Law Firm, PLLC represents victims of defective products. We aggressively seek compensation for our clients.
Schedule a free consultation today by calling us or contacting us online with your questions.
