Motorcycle tires and wheels are critical safety components. When these components fail - through blowouts, tread separation, or structural failures - riders face catastrophic accidents. Product liability claims against manufacturers can provide compensation when equipment failures cause crashes.
Types of Tire Defects
Tread separation occurs when the tread layer separates from the tire body. This defect, often caused by manufacturing problems with adhesion or improper curing, causes sudden loss of control at speed.
Sidewall failures happen when the tire sidewall ruptures under normal pressure and load. Manufacturing weaknesses, improper rubber compounds, or design flaws cause sidewalls to fail unexpectedly.
Bead failures allow tires to unseat from rims. Defective beads can cause tires to deflate instantly or slip on rims, causing immediate loss of control.
Belt separation in bias-ply or belted tires causes vibration, handling problems, and eventual catastrophic failure. These defects often develop gradually before sudden failure.
Wheel and Rim Defects
Rim cracks from manufacturing defects, porosity, or improper heat treatment cause sudden failures. Cast aluminum wheels are particularly susceptible to defects that cause cracking.
Spoke failures on wire-spoke wheels can cause rim collapse. Defective materials, improper tensioning during manufacture, or design weaknesses lead to spoke breakage.
Hub failures allow wheels to separate from motorcycles entirely. Bearing failures, casting defects, and improper machining create hub problems.
Proving Tire and Wheel Defects
Expert analysis of the failed component is essential. Failure analysis engineers examine fracture surfaces, material composition, and construction to identify defects.
The defect must have existed when manufactured, not resulted from abuse, improper inflation, or road hazards. Experts distinguish manufacturing defects from user-caused damage.
Preserve all evidence immediately after any tire or wheel failure crash. The failed component is critical evidence - don't discard or allow repairs before expert examination.
Strict Liability for Defective Products
Tire and wheel manufacturers face strict liability for defective products. You don't need to prove negligence - only that a defect existed and caused your injuries.
Defective products are those that fail to perform safely as ordinary consumers expect or that have unreasonable dangers that could have been designed out.
Even if you can't identify exactly what went wrong, evidence showing the component failed under normal use can establish defect through circumstantial evidence.
Potentially Liable Parties
The component manufacturer bears primary liability for defective tires and wheels. Major tire companies have substantial resources for product liability claims.
Motorcycle manufacturers may share liability for specifying or approving defective components. OEM (original equipment manufacturer) tires and wheels involve manufacturer oversight.
Retailers and installers may be liable for improper mounting, failing to notice visible defects, or recommending unsuitable components.
Common Defense Arguments
Manufacturers argue improper inflation caused tire failures. However, tires should remain safe across a reasonable range of pressures without catastrophic failure.
Claims of user abuse - overloading, curb impacts, road hazards - attempt to blame riders for failures. Expert analysis distinguishes impact damage from manufacturing defects.
Defense experts may attribute failures to age or wear. However, products should remain safe throughout their expected service life, and manufacturers must warn about age-related limitations.
Recalls and Prior Incidents
NHTSA maintains databases of tire recalls and complaints. Prior recalls for the same defect type provide strong evidence your failure wasn't isolated.
Consumer complaints about similar failures establish patterns of defects. Manufacturers who receive complaints have notice of problems.
Discovery in litigation can reveal internal company documents showing the manufacturer knew about defects before your accident.
Damages in Tire and Wheel Cases
Tire and wheel failures at speed cause devastating injuries. Medical expenses for emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care can be enormous.
Lost wages and earning capacity claims address inability to work during recovery and permanent limitations from injuries.
Pain and suffering, disfigurement, and disability justify substantial non-economic damages. Punitive damages may apply when manufacturers knew of defects.
Evidence Preservation
Preserve the failed tire or wheel exactly as it was after the crash. Don't clean or allow any modifications before expert examination.
Photograph the component from all angles, documenting the failure point and any markings that identify manufacture date and location.
Retain purchase records, installation receipts, and any warranty documentation. This information helps trace the product's history.
Building Your Case
Secure the failed component immediately. Send preservation letters to anyone who might have access to ensure evidence isn't destroyed.
Document everything about the crash while memories are fresh. Note any warning signs before the failure - vibration, handling changes, visible damage.
Consult a product liability attorney experienced in tire and wheel defect cases. These technical cases require expert analysis but can provide significant compensation for catastrophic injuries.