Dunlop Tires, Tire Defects and Rollovers

Although Firestone is the winner in the negative publicity contest, other tire makers including General, Toyo, Cooper Tire, Sumitomo Rubber, and Dunlop Tire Company have been in the news in the past few years due to complaints of defective tires, rollovers and lawsuits.

Dunlop's Axiom Tire Blamed for Van Rollover

A Los Angeles jury awarded $ 15 million to a local man named Joven Mapa, who was paralyzed after the Dunlop tire on his minivan disintegrated and caused a rollover in 1997. The crucial evidence in the trial was a 2-inch stack of documents containing adjustment data from Dunlop. The numbers told the tale: Two of every three Dunlop Axioms--the model in question--returned between 1996 and 1999 showed evidence of tread separation, the same defect that flipped Mapa's Ford Aerostar. Dunlop stopped making the model in 1995.

Dunlop Tire and Sumitomo Settle Products Liability Case

October 28, 1999 a negotiated settlement of $4.9 million on behalf of Jim McGuire, who suffered severe brain injuries in 1996 when a ten year old tire, manufactured by Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited of Japan and distributed by Dunlop Tire Corporation, blew out resulting in the collision of the car in which McGuire was driving and a semi tractor/trailer.

The accident occurred on March 16, 1996, as Jim McGuire was driving a 1979 MG which he had borrowed from his sister southbound on I-95 near 45th Street in West Palm Beach. When the left rear tire of the car blew out, McGuire briefly lost control of the vehicle before managing to pull off of the through lanes and onto the paved emergency lane at the side of the road. The MG was then struck by the semi tractor/ trailer. As a result of the impact, McGuire, the father of six children, suffered permanent neurological injuries and remained in a coma for 42 days. He was hospitalized for a total of 150 days.

In its case against Sumitomo and Dunlop, the plaintiffs contended that internal defects in the tire ultimately caused the blow out. The wire cord construction of the Dunlop SP4N tire allowed moisture to migrate throughout the tire's steel belts which lead to internal rusting of the tire. Dunlop internal records indicated that they were aware of this design defect for a year and a half prior to the manufacture of this particular tire. Dunlop internal records also revealed claims for blow outs caused by internal rusting of steel belts in similar tires.

No consumer warnings were ever issued by Sumitomo or Dunlop to alert potential purchasers or tire owners of the possibility of internal rusting and subsequent rupturing of SP4N tires. "The tire company knew about the internal rust problems associated with this particular tire and made no effort to alert the consumer. Our client and his family have suffered severely and irreparably because of their negligence," stated Don Fountain when the settlement was reached.

The tire in question was also warranted for the useful life of the tread irrespective of the chronological age of the tire itself. The tires on the MG were examined following the accident and, while ten years old, were found to have legal and sufficient tread depth to remain under the company warranty.

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited of Japan and its distributor Dunlop Tire Corporation have agreed to pay $4.5 million with the remainder of the $4.9 million settlement to be paid by the owners of the MG and the owner of the semi tractor/trailer.

Tire Defects - Serious Accident and Injury Legal Help

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured, or a loved one has been killed, as the result of a tire defect, tire failure, tread separation, tire blowout, rollover accident, or any other serious injury accident, then please call us to discuss your legal rights to a potential product liability lawsuit. Please fill out our online form by following the link below or call us right now: Toll Free 1-800-883-9858.

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