Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers Blog

Philadelphia drivers may be unknowingly driving around on defective valve stems. Over twenty three million valve stems from China have been recalled in fear the stems can crack.

A cracked valve stem can lead to decreased tire pressure, one of the leading causes of a tire blowout. It is extremely difficult to control a vehicle during a tire blowout and ultimately most blowouts end in a serious collision. As a way to increase profits, the Chinese manufacturer removed the chemical applied to the valve stem to prevent cracking. Unfortunately there is no way to know if your tire has a defective Chinese valve stem because there is no part number or model number stamped on the stems. Drivers can check for cracks on their valve stems by rotating the stem clockwise and checking the surface for cracks.

Related Sources:
Valve Stem Problem in Chinese Tires

An SUV is a vehicle that presents a driver with unforeseen problems with handling, stability, and safety. The treads on steel belted radial tires of an SUV as well as light trucks and passenger vehicles have a tendency to separate. When this happens on an SUV, the vehicle often rolls over due to the their high center of gravity and narrow wheelbase. This phenomenon known as tread separation can be extremely dangerous, because when this happens, the driver has a tremendous amount of difficulty controlling the vehicle. Tread separation can occur when the steel belts do not adhere well to the rubber on the tires. This can be the result of a problem with the way the tire was made (manufacturing defect) or the failure to incorporate important safety features into the design of the tire (design defect). When this happens there are often catastrophic consequences.

Integral to the functioning of a vehicle are the tires it sits on. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are over 8,000 traffic accidents each year caused by Tire Blowouts. Though some of these may be attributed to driver error, many are the result of a manufacturing or design defect.

What is a Tire Blowout?

A Tire Blowout, or tire shredding as it also known, occurs when a vehicle's tires lose air rapidly, sometimes almost explosively, causing a loss of control over the vehicle.

What causes a Tire Blowouts?

Tire Blowouts usually occur when there is tread separation. Tires are built with many different layers and when these 'plies' start separating from one another, tread separation occurs. This separation is often the result of poor design, misplacement of the overhead belts, or the tread and belt separations are poorly bonded to the components of the tire due to:

• Using old and out of date adhesives


• Incorrect temperatures and unclean manufacturing facilities


• Introduction of some contaminant such as rust, moisture, grease, or oxidation

The role of the manufacturers

Millions of tires have been recalled over the years because of defects in the manufacturing process. Some of these defects the manufacturers knew about for some time without warning the public. There are even some experts who claim that the tires produced in the United States are the worst in the world.

Perhaps what is most startling is that there is a new technology for tires that actually prevents tread separation from occurring, which has been around for a number of years. Does that mean your car is fitted with these new improved technology tires?

No, because manufacturers are reluctant to incorporate such tires because of the increased costs associated with production.

Tire Blowouts

Integral to the functioning of a vehicle are the tires it sits on. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are over 8,000 traffic accidents each year caused by Tire Blowouts. Though some of these may be attributed to driver error, many are the result of a manufacturing or design defect.

What is a Tire Blowout?

A Tire Blowout, or tire shredding as it also known, occurs when a vehicle's tires lose air rapidly, sometimes almost explosively, causing a loss of control over the vehicle.

What causes a Tire Blowouts?

Tire Blowouts usually occur when there is tread separation. Tires are built with many different layers and when these 'plies' start separating from one another, tread separation occurs. This separation is often the result of poor design, misplacement of the overhead belts, or the tread and belt separations are poorly bonded to the components of the tire due to:

• Using old and out of date adhesives


• Incorrect temperatures and unclean manufacturing facilities


• Introduction of some contaminant such as rust, moisture, grease, or oxidation

The role of the manufacturers

Millions of tires have been recalled over the years because of defects in the manufacturing process. Some of these defects the manufacturers knew about for some time without warning the public. There are even some experts who claim that the tires produced in the United States are the worst in the world.

Perhaps what is most startling is that there is a new technology for tires that actually prevents tread separation from occurring, which has been around for a number of years. Does that mean your car is fitted with these new improved technology tires?

No, because manufacturers are reluctant to incorporate such tires because of the increased costs associated with production.
Tire Blowout injuries and SUV's

Driving in a less stable vehicle, such as an SUV, increases your chance of sustaining injuries due to Tire Blowouts. SUV's tend to be narrower and taller and therefore less stable then a sedan. So when a Tire Blowout does occur, SUV's are much harder to control and the risk of rollovers is higher. An SUV rollover lawyer can help you receive just compensation if you have experienced one of the serious consequences of such an accident, which can include:

• Death


• Traumatic brain injury


• Paralysis


• Quadriplegia


• Spinal Cord Injuries

An SUV rollover attorney can assess the strength of your case if you have sustained such an injury due to a rollover. People are also at a greater risk of sustaining such injuries when traveling at higher speeds due to the difficulty of controlling the vehicle.

Continue reading "Tire Blowouts" »

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (BATO) is recalling 127,183 Firestone FR380 tires, size P235/75R15, manufactured from September 9, 2007 through July 2, 2008. These tires were produced with insufficient tread base gauge. Continued use of the subject tires may lead to vibration and groove cracking. Extended use could lead to tread distortion or tread separation and loss of vehicle control. BATO will notify owners and replace the defected tires free of charge. BATO will also mount and balance the replacement tires, all at no charge or expense to the owner. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about June 29, 2009. Owners may contact BATO toll-free at 1-800-465-1904 or visit their website at www.firestonetire.com.

Replacement snap-in rubber valve stems sold between November 2006 and July 2007 are being recalled because the stems do not contain the correct additive to protect the rubber against deterioration from ozone exposure. Models APC TR413, TR414, and TR418 are among the recalls from the Dill Air Control Products Company. The stems may weather and crack when exposed to high levels of ozone which could progress to the point that the tire begins to lose pressure. A flat tire can lead to loss of vehicle control which could lead to an accident. If you purchased these replacement stems for your tires contact Dill and they will replace the effected valve stems at no charge.

BridgeStone/FireStone is recalling 162,251 tires because the tires were manufactured with insufficient tread base gauge. Prolonged use of the tires can lead to tread vibration and groove cracking which will ultimately cause the tread to distort or separate. Tread detachment is a serious concern for drivers because it can lead to loss of vehicle control which ultimately ends in a serious auto accident. BFNT will notify owners of the recall replace, remount and balance new tires on consumer's cars free of charge.

The tires in question are FIRESTONE/FR380/P235/75R15 manufactured between June 2006 and September 2007 and LEMANS/Champion SE/P235/75R15 manufactured between June 2006 and September 2006.

184 tires are being recalled by Bridgestone because they do not comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 119. That standard states that all tires for motor vehicles over 10,000 pounds must be branded with the maximum speed limit rate. The tires being recalled have not been branded and therefore the tread/belt can detach from the tire when used at speeds above 55 MPH. A tread detachment is a serious event that usually leads to the driver losing control of the vehicle which ultimately ends in tragedy. The tires in question are Firestone Brand FS400, size 315/80R22.5 Load Range L, Commercial Truck Tires manufactured between June 15 and June 28, 2008. Firestone dealers will replace the tires affected by the recall and remount the tires free of charge. If you own these vehicles and think and believe you have been harmed as a result please contact our attorneys for a consultation.