Drivers have the right to expect safe products made by manufacturers, especially when those products are used on vehicles they rely on every day. As such, Louisiana residents should be aware of a major recall of defective tires from Goodyear. A tragic accident, possibly caused by those defective tires, underscores the expectation that families should be safe when using purchased products and likely led to Goodyear issuing the large recall.

Two college students were returning to school when the tread on the tire of their F-150 truck separated, causing the vehicle to skid and overturn. Both students died in the car accident, prompting an investigation by Goodyear. Although the company claims that the tire incurred external damage, Goodyear issued a recall for defective tires on Feb. 16.

Several questions remain about the scope of recall and the period of time it took for the company to issue a consumer notice. Goodyear only recalled tires that were made during a specific period in 2009 and only certain transportation serial codes are affected. Possible problems with the tires were said to be noticed in 2010 after a review noticed an increase in property damage claims. Some observers wonder why Goodyear waited some 15 months from noticing the problem to issuing a recall.

The family of one of the people killed in the truck accident, which occurred in Texas, has asked why it took Goodyear so long from the time the problem was noticed until they notified consumers of the recall. The family feels like Goodyear ignored the problem until a senseless tragedy occurred. They wonder if Goodyear had taken steps to correct the problem sooner, it may have saved the life of their loved one.

Families in Louisiana deserve safe and reliable products, especially on their vehicles, and the recall by Goodyear indicates there may well be vehicles on the road in our state with unsafe tires that were improperly manufactured. Product manufacturers have a duty to make sure their products are safe and if they fail to ensure that safety, they may be held liable in a court of law. Individuals and families in our state who suspect they have been victimized by negligent conduct of a manufacturer would do well to compile and preserve all of the evidence as they seek guidance in the necessary legal steps to perfect a claim for damages occasioned by negligent conduct.

Source: KENS5.com San Antonio, "Fatal Texas car crash leads to recall of 41,000 Goodyear tires," Jeremy Rogalski, Feb. 28, 2012