Aging tires may be to blame in a Missouri rollover accident

Driving on tires that are older than 6 years can greatly increase the odds of serious car accident, such as a rollover.

2013-03-09

March 09, 2013 (Press-News.org) How old are your tires? Many do not readily know the answer to that question. Even a set of tires bought to replace aging threadbare tires could be older than assumed.

A recent news investigation found that the key to uncovering tire age is looking for a Department of Transportation four-digit code stamped on every tire that lists the week and year of manufacture. For example, a tire with the code 1503 was made the 15th week of 2003 and is about 10 years old.

Tires that are older than 6 years can be dangerous according to safety experts. Driving on old tires can greatly increase the odds of serious car accident, such as a rollover. Across the country, rollover accidents account for approximately a quarter of traffic-related deaths each year even though they only make up about one percent of the total crashes that occur.

Tire age blamed in a recent accident

The family of a California teenager had no idea about the importance of tire age. They gave their son a classic Ford Mustang to commute between work and classes. Their son bought what he thought were new tires for the car. Several weeks later, he died in a car accident blamed on those same tires.

While the tires had not been used, they were 12 years old when he purchased them. The time that a tire sits in storage can affect the durability. An old tire can suffer tread separation, which might cause a rollover or catastrophic accident when the driver loses control of the vehicle.

Prevalence of the problem

Safety Research and Strategies, Inc., a consumer safety group specializing in motor vehicle issues, researches tire failures. The founder and president, Sean Kane, compared aging rubber bands to aging tires. A rubber band will start to crack and often the older rubber band does not stretch very far before it breaks. The same is true for tires. Deterioration occurs in the rubber of tires that are over six years old.

Last year, statistics compiled by the group attributed 252 accidents, 300 injuries and 23 fatalities to the failure of old tires.

A vehicle owner's manual will often include a recommendation on when to change tires. General Motors recently updated it recommendation on tire age to 6 years in its 2013 owner's manual. Many foreign models have had a similar warning for some time.

When to contact an attorney

A rollover accident caused by aging tires often involves great force, which can crush the roof in. Even drivers and passengers belted into their seats can suffer severe injury. Injuries from these crashes may include traumatic brain injury, paralysis or the loss of a limb.

If an aging tire is to blame for an accident there could be recourse against the company that sold the tire. In a case where another driver caused an accident after a tire blowout, that driver might have been negligent in failing to replace his or her aging tires. An experienced Missouri personal injury attorney can discuss the individual facts of your case and discuss possible remedies that may be available.

Article provided by Mayer & Rosenberg, P.C.
Visit us at www.mayerrosenberg.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Many Americans on verge of financial collapse, report says

2013-03-09

The economic difficulties of recent years have affected Americans in many different ways. On one hand, many of those who were lucky enough to keep their jobs were relatively unscathed. However, many fared much worse. The plight of this group was recently echoed by a report from the Corporation for Enterprise Development. According to the report, about 43.9 percent of U.S. households are on the brink of financial collapse. The report found that this group of people is "liquid asset poor," meaning that this group of Americans does not have enough money to live ...

Who keeps the home: Property division in a Minnesota divorce

2013-03-09

The largest asset for many couples is the equity in their home. This amount fluctuates with the housing market. During the recent housing market collapse, it became a case of apportioning losses and many divorcing couples lost their homes to foreclosure, if neither could afford payments. As the housing market rebounds in the Twin Cities, separating couples are in better position of splitting positive equity. The Pioneer Press reports that the median sales price in the 13-county metro area rose to $160,000 in January, which is 14.3 percent higher than a year ago. As the ...

Moving past your divorce

2013-03-09

Before two people decide to get married, they will often discuss some of the plans that they have for the future, to be sure that they are both on the same page. They may discuss whether or not they want to have children, and where they want to live. This clear communication can help the couple move forward, and begin making plans for the rest of their lives together. However, we all know that not every marriage will work out. Many couples give very little thought to what will happen in the event that the marriage ends in divorce. They try everything they can to make ...

Driving Safely in the Snow

2013-03-09

Many Colorado outdoors enthusiasts love a fresh coat of powdery snow for their activities., stalled vehicles and motor vehicle accidents can all result from the difficulties of driving on snowy roads that lack friction, but you can reduce the chances of being in an accident by following some safe driving practices. Preparation and Driving Safe driving begins even before your car leaves the driveway. The Colorado Department of Transportation recommends that you find out the road conditions before you leave. Clear off snow from your vehicle and your headlights, so that ...

Celebrities prove that when it comes to DUIs, no one is bulletproof

2013-03-09

Some days, it seems like it's almost impossible to turn on the news or open a newspaper without reading a provocative headline -- complete with a not-so-glamorous mug shot -- about some star's DUI charge. The latest in a long string of celebrity DUI arrests One of the latest famous faces to hit the news with a DUI arrest was actor Thomas Gibson. The 50-year-old is most famous for his role as Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner in the hit television serious Criminal Minds. Gibson's character is a tough boss who rarely shows any chinks in his armor to the special agents who work ...

Severe car crashes and the steps to recovery

2013-03-09

New Yorkers have their Metro Cards. Denizens of Los Angeles have their cars. But while New Yorkers have other means of transportation, many Angelenos would be lost without their wheels, given the sprawl of their city and limited public transportation options. It's no surprise that in a city known for its endless traffic jams, car accidents -- and injuries -- are inevitable. But what stands out about one accident recently reported in a local college newspaper is the seriousness of the injuries sustained a freshman business major in a car crash on Interstate-5. Student ...

New exception allows texting and driving in California

2013-03-09

Since 2008, drivers in California have been prohibited from using cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. The single exception has been that drivers 18 years of age and older are allowed to use a hands-free device. The following year, the California Wireless Communications Device Law prohibited drivers from writing, sending or reading text-based communication on an electronic wireless communications device, such as a cell phone, while driving. This law took effect on January 1, 2009. Exactly four years later, on January 1, 2013, an exception to this texting and ...

Attorneys at The Umansky Law Firm Secure Favorable Result for Seminole County Firefighter

2013-03-09

After a four-day trial at the Seminole County Courthouse in Sanford, Florida, Attorneys Lindsey Gergely and Chris Kaigle with The Umansky Law Firm received an acquittal of all charges for their client, former Seminole County Firefighter/ EMT Dean Erlandson. Mr. Erlandson was brought to trial on four very serious charges: aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated assault with a knife, false imprisonment, and domestic violence battery. Late Friday afternoon, March 1, 2012, to a packed courtroom, the jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty as to all counts. Dean ...

Jaw-Dropping New Book Unravels Clark Rockefeller Murder Mystery

2013-03-09

As the trial for the murder suspect and con man best known as Clark Rockefeller gets underway in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, March 11, Star Creek Entertainment releases Frank C. Girardot Jr.'s gripping true crime book, "Name Dropper: Investigating the Clark Rockefeller Mystery" (19.99). Based on his year-long investigation, Saratoga FL native Girardot reveals chilling details about the evidence - most of it circumstantial -- that led to Rockefeller's arrest for allegedly killing computer geek John Sohus in San Marino, CA in 1985. Actor Dean Norris, ...

Emmy Award Winning Comedian Dave Konig Reveals Shocking Addiction in New Off Broadway Solo Show

2013-03-09

Addicted to Show Business, written and performed by Emmy award winning comedian Dave Konig, is a comedic tour-de-force about the one addiction there's no 12-step program for! Opening Wednesday March 13th, 8PM, at the St. Lukes Theater 308 West 46th St. New York City. In this hilarious - and uplifiting - new show, Konig cons his way into a starring role in a Broadway musical (even though he can't sing or dance), he talks his way into - and out of - hosting a national talk radio show for the Catholic Church (even though he's Jewish), Adam Sandler pushes him on stage, and ...