Houston Auto and Tire Defect

Every year, an estimated 33,000 accidents and 500 motorist deaths are caused by defective tires. Unfortunately, many of those accidents could have been prevented if the drivers had known that the tires they were relying on were defective. Unfortunately, even in 2016, there is no way to reliably know if your tires are recalled unless you check with the manufacturer yourself (which many consumers do not).

The problem stems from the fact that independent tire dealers are not required to register the tires they sell with the tire manufacturers. Because they are not required to, most of the tire dealers do not register the tires they sell. As an foreseeable result of the tires not being registered, only 1 in 5 tires is taken off the roads through a recall. In fact, between 2009 and 2013, over 3 million tires were recalled, but most of the people driving on the tires had no idea.

Defective tires aren’t the only problem that drivers face, however. Defective automobiles and automobile components can be a very dangerous part of driving as well. Many have probably seen the news lately about the most recent defective automobile part—the Takata airbag inflator. This defective product now affects more than 40 million vehicles worldwide, with many predicting that the number of affected vehicles in America alone could reach 120 million or more.

Takata’s airbag inflators are defective because they can rupture, sending metal shrapnel through the cabin of the car at a high rate of speed, potentially injuring or even killing the occupants. In fact, the Takata airbag inflator rupturing has already caused at least 10 deaths worldwide.

Drivers should be able to rely on their vehicles and vehicle components—after all, we do use our vehicle and its components daily. If you or a loved one have been injured by a defective auto part, a defective automobile, or a defective tire, call the Houston Auto and Tire Defect Lawyer at the Merman Law Firm today.