Negligent auto repair shops can play a role in the factors that cause tire blowouts, tread separations and other major tire damages, all of which may lead to serious injuries or death should an accident occur.

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Negligent auto repair shops can play a role in the factors that cause tire blowouts, tread separations and other major tire damages, all of which may lead to serious injuries or death should an accident occur. If investigations reveal these auto repair shops are responsible for the defective tires because they are not warning customers their tires are defective, they will be held accountable in a court of law.

Problems at the Auto Shop

There are plenty of ways for automotive shops to harm tires and place their customers at risk, though the following stand as the most common.

Improper Sizing

Tires must be sized correctly to ensure rides remain smooth and safe. Auto manufacturers will explicitly indicate which tires are best suited for which wheels. Consumers and mechanics alike should be cognizant of this fact when it comes time to purchase and replace tires. Otherwise, the tire could fly off the wheel completely and cause a rollover, roof crush or other accident.

Retreading

Retreading old tires is risky when an automotive repair specialist neglects the process at any point, or employs less-than-ideal equipment. If the new treads aren’t bonded with painstaking precision, they may prove just as dangerous as their worn, aged or otherwise damaged or defective predecessors.

Improper Flat Tire Repair

Fix-a-Flat and other alleged flat tire repair fluids have been known to cause major blowouts, especially at freeway speeds. Make sure to ask an automotive specialist what technique they use to fix flat tires. Pass if it involves Fix-a-Flat or a similar substance with a history of instigating accidents, or if they do not remove the tire itself from the wheel to check for internal damage.

Used or Aged Tires and Tires Stored in Poor Conditions

Aged tires sold as new, or used tires with entirely too much wear, do not make for suitable replacements. The safest option is to spring for new tires – and you can find out the age of a tire by checking its DOT number – that have been stored under properly climate-controlled conditions that aren’t so hot or cold as to cause damage.

Improper Rotation

Proper tire rotation switches tires from wheels receiving less wear and tear with those that do. Failure to do so will lead to further uneven erosion, amplifying the risk of a blowout, tread separation, roof crush or other accident.

Negligent Tire Inspections

Tire inspections must be conducted inside and out, and thorough enough to catch even the minutest flaw that could turn into a devastating crash. They’re part of any routine check to meet state requirements, but any time you suspect there may be an issue with your tires you need to have a professional go over everything. Failure to find a flaw can render auto services specialists liable should an accident occur.

Checks at Home

Although consumers can’t perform the same maintenance functions as an automotive professional, there are still plenty of steps they may take to ensure their own safety. Knowing what issues to search for helps vehicle owners tell when it’s time to take their tires into the shop for repair, or to replace them entirely.

Conduct home inspections every time you need to drive your vehicle, and always keep the following in mind during the proceedings:

• Signs of excessive wear, including cracking, shredding, balding, aging and tearing
• Ideal inflation, which will be indicated by the tire manufacturer
• Conducting the penny test to check tread wear
• No piercing implements, such as nails, in or close to your tires
• Stay on top of the latest tire recalls
• Staying tight on the wheels

To extend the life of your tires, check for possible damaging agents around or near your tires before exiting parking lots. And don’t forget to include your spare tire in these self-inspections as well. You want to make sure that you’ll be safe in case you ever need to replace a blown out or otherwise damaged tire.

Houston Damaged or Defective Tire Attorney

Willis Law Firm is a Steven J. Sharp Award winner with Martindale-Hubble recognition and over three decades of experience representing individuals and families who have suffered as a result of injurious or fatal car accidents caused defective tires. We help at every stage of the litigation process, including investigations and evidence gathering. Contact us today.