Federal investigators have indicated that tire manufacturer Goodyear knew for at least 20 years that some of its recreational vehicle tires were defective, having caused deaths and severe injuries when the tires failed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)sent the company a letter in February 2022, asking for a recall of 22.5-inch-diameter G159 tires in Illinois and elsewhere.
Tire defect led to a loss of control
The identified defective products led to a loss of control when the tires were placed on some RVs. The NHTSA document indicates that the tread can separate from the rest of the affected tires, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the likelihood of a crash. In at least one case, a driver lost control of his 40-foot RV after he heard a pop. The vehicle crossed the median, hitting an embankment and causing the driver to become paralyzed, while his passengers suffered serious injuries to their spines and pelvic bones.
Initially, Goodyear indicated that it wouldn’t perform a recall but finally did so in early June after the NHTSA threatened a public hearing and court action if the tire manufacturer continued to refuse. Goodyear recalled about 173,000 tires, which haven’t been produced since 2003. The company also said that its engineers had rigorously tested the tires and that few remained on the road.
Did a tread defect cause my RV accident?
If you have been injured in an accident where you or another driver lost control of an RV because of defective tires, you have the right to file a lawsuit and seek compensation for your injuries. As these defective Goodyear tires were still being sold, your vehicle could have had them. However, you should note that the Illinois statute of limitations indicates that the incident must have taken place within two years of the date of purchase.
You may still file a claim even if other defective tires were involved in a mishap. Federal and state laws protect your right to receive compensation from any company that knowingly leaves faulty products in the marketplace after they have been proven dangerous.