Fort Lauderdale Defective Tire Attorneys
Aged tires are dangerous tires. More often that one might think, stores sell tires that are much more than six years old. A tire that looks brand new and has little if any mileage on it can fall apart on the road and cause accidents that result in life-altering injuries and fatalities.
Our Fort Lauderdale defective tire lawyers legal team has the experience, resources and skill to pursue compensation for damages caused by manufacturers’ and tire dealers’ failure to warn consumers of the safety risks posed by tire age.
Early Knowledge of Tire Age Problems
As early as the mid-1980s, studies in Germany found that tires were more likely to fail if they were six years old or older. By the 1990s, BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Toyota all began warning vehicle owners to change the tires after six years, regardless of tread depth or wear.
American tire manufacturers have known of the safety risks associated with aged tires for years, but failed to take action to protect consumers. They opposed any government investigations into the link between tire age and tire failure.
American auto and tire manufacturers did not admit what they had long known until 2005: Tires degrade over time. Today most tire makers and auto manufacturers recommend that tires be replaced after six years.
How Old Are Your Tires?
Check the manufacture date on your tires, including the spare tire. Look for the letters “DOT” on the sidewall, near the tire rim. The first two numbers or letters after DOT indicate the plant where the tire was made. The last four numbers specify the week and year the tire was created. For example, 3403 means the tire was made in the 34th week of 2003. If the tire was manufactured before 2000, there will only be three numbers; two for the week and the last digit for the year. A tire with the number 226 indicates that the tire was manufactured in the 22nd week of 1996.
If you believe a tire problem caused an accident that seriously injured you or a member of your family, please contact a lawyers of our South Florida tire defect litigation team.
