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Tire Defect Attorney in San Diego

Millions Recovered for Victims of Defective Auto Parts

Defects affecting tires can result in devastating car accidents that put motorists and those around them at risk. When problems involving tires cause preventable harm, victims may have the right to pursue legal action and a financial recovery of their damages.

At The McClellan Law Firm, our award-winning San Diego attorneys have extensive experience fighting for victims of motor vehicle accidents – including crashes caused by negligence, failures to properly maintain vehicles, and defective products.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car crash caused by tire defects, we can help explore your options to seek the compensation you deserve during a FREE consultation. Call (619) 215-1488.

Why Choose The McClellan Law Firm?

The McClellan Law Firm is a nationally recognized personal injury trial practice. We have recovered millions in compensation for clients and have secured verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million each in over 140 cases.

Our firm is also a leader in litigating complex and high-profile cases involving auto defects. We have fought against powerful corporations and insurance companies, and have helped clients prevail against some of the largest automakers in the world, including Porsche, Chrysler, GM, Isuzu, and Toyota.

Examples of our results in product defect cases:

  • $25.36 million in a confidential product defect and negligence case.
  • $9.515 million over a product defect that caused post-collision fuel to feed a vehicle fire, resulting in wrongful death.
  • $8 million in a confidential product defect case involving seatbelt design.
  • $6 million settlement against Ford involving a vehicle with rear seats equipped only with lap belts.
  • $5.2 million settlement in a lap belt defect case against Mercedes Benz.
  • $2.5 million verdict against Porsche. This recovery tied for the largest wrongful death verdict in California at the time.

Craig R. McClellan and our team are trusted by clients and counsel across the country in high-stakes vehicle defect claims. To discuss your potential case, call (619) 215-1488.

Types of Tire Defects

According to NHTSA, hundreds of traffic fatalities involving tire malfunction occur each year. As the agency notes, even the most experienced motorists can suffer harm when there are problems with essential vehicle components like tires.

The condition of tires can greatly hinder a driver’s ability to maintain control of their vehicle. In the most serious cases, tire defects or pre-crash damage can lead to sudden tire failure, blowouts, and devastating crashes.

Tire defect claims can involve a range of issues, including:

  • Tread separation
  • Bead separation
  • Sidewall weakness or deformity
  • Cracks in the tread
  • Expired adhesive
  • Retreaded tires
  • Failures to disclose recalls, defects, or the age of tires
  • Improperly mounted, repaired, or inflated tires

All tire defects can contribute to accidents, but some are more dangerous than others. For example:

  • Tire-related defects significantly increase the risks of rollover crashes, which are more likely to result in death than other types of car accidents, according to NHTSA crash data.
  • Tire defects on larger vehicles such as trucks, SUVs, and commercial vans or buses are associated with more severe collisions, which can increase the risks of severe and fatal injuries.

Differentiating between consumer neglect and poor design or the negligence of others can be a central focus in tire-related accident claims. Often, plaintiffs’ attorneys must battle defendants who dispute fault and accuse victims of negligently causing their own accidents. However, even if vehicle owners bear some responsibility for contributing to their crashes, they may still be able to recover compensation under California’s comparative fault laws.

At The McClellan Law Firm, our tire defect lawyers know how to investigate accidents and assess available evidence to determine how defects may have caused or contributed to crashes, what caused tire defects, and whether another person or entity can be held liable for the resulting damages. Our work litigating these complex cases prepares us to take on even the most powerful opponents.

Who is Liable for My Tire Defect Accident?

While being a vigilant consumer and regularly maintaining tires can help reduce accident risks, even the most safety-conscious motorist is no match for defects, safety violations, or the negligence of others.

If your crash was caused by a tire defect, a personalized evaluation and investigation will be necessary to identify potentially liable parties. Examples may include:

  • Automakers or tire manufacturers: Automakers and manufacturers can be held strictly liable for defectively designed, manufactured, or marketed products, including tires and related components. If a defective or recalled tire caused your accident, you may be able to bring a products liability claim against the responsible manufacturer.
  • Distributors or retailers: California law imposes strict liability upon distributors and retailers of defective products, in addition to manufacturers. Depending on the facts of a case, distributors and retailers such as car dealerships may be held liable for distributing or selling defective tires, tires that are too old, or vehicles with defective tires, including tires they damage while in their possession or fail to ensure are safe for use.
  • Rental companies: People or companies that rent products such as motor vehicles for money can be held liable for negligence if they fail to exercise reasonable care to inspect products for defects, make the products safe for their intended use, and adequately warn consumers about any known dangers. A rental car company’s failure to inspect badly worn tires or address known recalls could constitute negligence under California products liability.
  • Trucking companies: Even minor malfunctions can have devastating consequences when they occur on large commercial trucks. If trucking companies fail to adequately maintain their fleet and address tire-related issues they knew or should have known about, they may be held liable for injuries victims suffer in accidents caused by those failures.

By leveraging our experience and working with industry experts, our team helps clients explore who can be held accountable for tire defects that caused or contributed to an auto accident. Our firm also represents mechanics and maintenance workers who suffer injury due to defective tire accidents, including explosions caused by tire bead failure during mounting and installation.

Tire Blowouts

NHTSA reports tire blowouts cause over 11,000 crashes each year, many of which are caused by underinflated tires. Although advancements like tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) have reduced the number of crashes caused by underinflated tires, older cars still lack this safety feature.

Not only are underinflated tires more likely to burst, they also negatively impact handling, braking, and traction. A tire can become underinflated due to defects that cause it to fail internally and delaminate, allowing air to escape. Underinflation causes heat to build up in the tire, which hastens its failure.

But underinflated tires are not the only cause of tire failures. Sometimes, the tire is not properly molded or put together at the factory. Other times, its design does not incorporate safety features, such as nylon caps, that protect against failures. There are many other causes of tire failures.

Tire manufacturers, as well as car dealers, may be liable for accidents caused by their defective products, negligence, or failures to warn consumers of tire dangers, such as a tire being too old, a tire that is recalled, or a tire having known design or marketing defects.

Recoverable Damages in Tire Defect Claims:

  • Hospital and medical bills
  • Future medical expenses
  • Lost wages and future earnings
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property loss
  • A spouse’s loss of consortium
  • Lost financial and emotional support
  • Funeral and burial expenses

Call for a FREE Case Evaluation: (619) 215-1488

At The McClellan Law Firm, our record of success enables us to commit very substantial resources to the investigation of highly technical claims. When you choose our firm, we provide thorough and insightful investigation and strive to obtain the best possible recovery for you and your family.

Our firm also limits our caseload so we can devote the close attention necessary to maximize the value of your claim while providing outstanding service. Knowing accidents make for difficult times, we handle cases on contingency fees. This means we recover fees and expenses only when we settle your case on favorable terms or collect on a jury verdict.

Contact us to request a FREE case review. The McClellan Law Firm works with clients and counsel across California and beyond.

  • Endorced by the Inner Circle of Advocates

    Craig McClellan is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation-only group of the top 100 plaintiff trial lawyers in the United States.

  • Best Lawyers in America 2020

    Craig McClellan has been selected to the list of The Best Lawyers in America every year since 1993.

  • The firm earned a Tier 1 ranking in Personal Injury in the 2023 list of the Best Law Firms.

  • Best Lawers "Best Law Firms" - Personal Injury Litigation Plaintifs Tier 1, 2016

    The firm earned a Tier 1 ranking in Personal Injury in the 2022 list of the Best Law Firms.

  • Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" - Commercial Litigation Tier 1, 2016

    The firm earned a Tier 1 ranking in Commercial Litigation in the 2022 list of the Best Law Firms.

  • Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" - Product Liability Tier 1, 2016

    The firm earned a Tier 1 ranking in Product Liability in the 2022 list of the Best Law Firms.

  • Craig McClellan earned one of the top 10 medical malpractice settlements in California, securing a $9,000,000 settlement for a client.

  • Top 10 Settlements

    Craig McClellan & Conor Hulburt earned one of the top 10 premises liability settlements in California, securing a $3,175,850 settlement for a client.

  • Craig McClellan selected to Super Lawyers list, Top 10 San Diego Attorneys

    Craig McClellan has been selected to the list of Super Lawyers every year since 2007, and earned the most votes of ANY lawyer for 2019 in San Diego.

  • Craig McClellan was voted Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation by Best Lawyers for 2019.

  • 2020 AV Preeminent Peer Rated

    Attorney McClellan earned a Distinguished rating from Martindale-Hubbell for his achievements.

  • America's Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys

    Craig McClellan is listed as one of America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators in Business Litigation, Personal Injury, and Product Liability.

  • Craig McClellan is rated 10.0 on Avvo - Top rated Personal Injury Lawyer

    Attorney McClellan has a 10/10 “Superb” rating, the highest rating an attorney can receive from Avvo.

  • BBB Accredited Business

    The firm has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the highest possible rating offered by the organization.

  • Consumer Attorneys of San Diego

    Attorney McClellan is a member of the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, and previously served on its Board of Directors.

  • Attorney Craig McClellan was named as one of the “Best Attorneys” by the Los Angeles Times.

    Attorney Craig McClellan was named as one of the “Best Attorneys” by the Los Angeles Times.

  • Attorney Craig McClellan named “Best Lawyers” by San Diego Metro.

    Attorney Craig McClellan was named one of the “Best Lawyers” by San Diego Metro.

  • Attorney Craig McClellan named Top Lawyers in San Diego in Business Litigation by San Diego Magazine.

    Attorney Craig McClellan was named one of the Top Lawyers in San Diego in Business Litigation by San Diego Magazine.

  • Craig McClellan has been named among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, which honors the nation’s top advocates.

Trusted Recommendations

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  • Immediately after our interview we knew without question that no matter how steep the mountain, win or lose, we had found the right person—Craig McClellan, Esq.—[…] We felt a profound sense of ... G.P.

  • We will NEVER forget what you did for us Craig. We are FOREVER GRATEFUL. K.V.

  • I just wanted to thank you for your efforts on [Pam’s] behalf, your skills, and your heart. You are not just a lawyer in what you do, you are a master of your profession. And I hope you are passing ... Juror

  • I thank you for your kindness and generosity in giving selflessly without reserve. Additionally, please extend my thanks to your staff for their diligent work and encouragement throughout the trial. A.D.

  • We do not quite know how to verbalize or show how grateful we are to have had the distinct honor to have you represent us at truly the most critical time in our lives. S.C.

  • Having had the high privilege of presiding over a number of cases involving national counsel, I want you to know you’re one of the very best [...]. You and those with you were outstanding ambassadors ...

  • It was a real honor to preside over a case with you as counsel. In my mind you represent all that is good in our profession. Judge J.

  • Your appearance on the nation-wide broadcast of ‘60 Minutes’ was a public service in which all San Diego has reason to take great pride. To integrity—you have added public service and again elevated ... Juror

  • We could not be happier with the McCllelan Law Firm team! My husband and I were referred to Craig McCllelan by one of his peers. We had a very sensitive medical malpractice case that we were hesitant ... S.P.

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