Better System Needed To Track Tire Recalls And Provide Information To Consumers
In a troubling new report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the federal government says that defective automobile tires cause upwards of 33,000 auto accidents per year, resulting in over 500 deaths, and there is no way to effectively track these tires for a manufacturer recall. According to the NTSB, even if the manufacturer issues a recall for defective tires, more than half the tires recalled remain on the road because the federal system in place to ensure the recalled tired get off the road is insufficient.
Tire-based accidents can happen from thread separation in the tires, blowouts, and other tire design or manufacturer defects. In July 2015 one tire manufacturer issued a recall of its tires for risk of tread separation problems, and more recently, another manufacturer settled a lawsuit based on the same problem. Under the current system, it is not possible to determine accurately how many car owners generally know about tire recalls and do something about their tires.
Recall Information Not Reaching Drivers
The NTSB reports that 3.2 million tires were recalled between 2009 and 2013, and most people were unaware of this because there is no mandatory registration system ensuring that all tire sellers and eventually consumers are notified of the recall. Generally, when a car has a defective part that is recalled, it is possible to check through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website to ensure that the defective part was actually repaired, using the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN). This can be especially helpful to a person buying a used car that may have been subject to a recall in the past.
Among the recommendations issued in the NTSB report is to require manufacturers to issue tires with more unique tire identification numbers that can be used to search for recalled tires similarly to searches using a car’s VIN. The current system used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration allows a person to search for a recall using the tire brand name, and is not seen as effective to provide the necessary information.
Additional recommendations include providing ways for consumers to register their tires directly with manufacturers, and requiring manufacturers to post recall information on their websites in order to reach all their customers. The NTSB also suggested that tire retailers should be required to register the tires they sell as they sell them to the consumer.
Before the system is overhauled, car owners can take their own precautions by routinely checking their tires against the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s system to track any possible recalls that apply to them. Tire owners buying from recognized distributors can also seek further information about recalls to ensure that they are protected in case of defects in their tires.
Contact A Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorney
If you are involved in a car accident and sustain serious injuries as a result of a defective part in your car, you need an experienced automobile accident attorney handling your case to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact the experienced Fort Lauderdale automobile accident attorneys at Boone & Davis for a consultation today.
