Every year, problems with car tires result in 33,000 accidents and more than 500 motorist deaths. As defective tires continue to make vehicles unsafe to drive, the federal system in charge of issuing recalls is failing in its duty to get them off the road. Currently, only one in five defective tires is being taken out of service through recalls, with more than half (56 percent) of all defective tires remaining in use. An official from the National Transportation Safety Board has called the system “completely broken.”
According the NTSB, the problem lies in communication. There is currently no way for tire manufacturers to reach consumers to warn them of a potential defect with their product. Since independent dealers are not required to register their products with manufacturers, most choose not to. This makes it extremely difficult for manufacturers to determine who owns their tires and to contact them. Since dealers not owner of controlled by tire makers sell 92 percent of tires directly to consumers, countless drivers face an enormous potential risk.
Many drivers, and even auto mechanics, are never even made aware that a brand of tire is part of a recall.
It may be surprising to learn that there is no industry or government database to notify people about tire recalls, especially when tire defects can potentially cost a person their life. That is why the NTSB has called on Congress to require mandatory tire registration. This will make it easier for consumers to be notified of a recall on a particular model of tire and facilitate access to a prompt solution. This change could potentially save countless lives from entirely preventable accidents.
Read more about this story here.
Product Liability Attorneys Serving New York and New Jersey
Companies who discover a safety defect in their product should have a system in place to offer consumers a repair of replacement free of charge in a timely manner. When it comes to defective car parts, there is no excuse for failing to warn people that their safety might be compromised.
If you have been injured in an accident involving a faulty tire, or have lost a loved one in a fatal accident, please contact the legal team at Horn Wright, LLP. We understand that during a time as difficult as this, the stress of legal action may be the furthest thing from your mind. That is why we are prepared to fight on your behalf.
Our New York car accident attorneys utilize innovative and creative solutions to protect the rights of injured people and increase their chances of receiving maximum compensation for their injuries. We treat each case as if it were our own, always putting your best interests first. Backed by more than a century of experience, our attorneys know what it takes to produce superior results, and we have an outstanding track record of success to prove it.
Horn Wright, LLP can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Call (516) 714-5975 for a free consultation!