Tire Defect Litigation - Hardcover

Robert E. Ammons

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1936360217 ISBN 13: 9781936360215

Publisher: Lawyers & Judges Pub Co, 2016

Synopsis

For the uninitiated, tire litigation can be daunting. Tire cases require special technical knowledge on tire construction, material science, and vehicle dynamics. And tire companies can be formidable opponents. Typically, the manufacturer s first defense is to blame the consumer, attributing tire-related crashes to driver error or improper maintenance. Those claims surface in almost every case. The tire industry s second tactic is to obfuscate and to hide relevant data and documents. A tire company may manufacture hundreds of separate tire models each with different specifications which it uses in litigation to isolate each individual case and claim it is unique, thereby preventing plaintiffs from using discovery from other lawsuits involving similar tires simply because those tires may have different names on their sidewalls and come in different sizes. Often, attorneys are unaware they have a case against a tire manufacturer. They simply look to the available insurance, collect it, and the case is done. In too many instances, the insurance policies come nowhere close to adequate compensation for someone who has lost a loved one or who has been catastrophically injured. Robert E. Ammons has litigated scores of tire defect cases against industry giants for twenty years. This book includes many of the practical lessons he has learned, plus chapters written by renowned experts that provide technical information that is relevant in tire defect litigation. The book begins with the basics of tire construction. While the first automobile tires appeared in 1895, the steel belted radial tire is a relatively recent development. To give tire defects greater context, this book offers a primer on tires, inside and out, from the construction and assembly of a steel belted radial tire to the markings on the sidewalls. This book focuses on the elements of tire failures and the interplay among tire components that lead to tread and belt separations the primary defect with steel belted radial construction. Using photographs and examples, this book helps you identify the type of failure mode an essential element in any tire defect case. The book also guides the tire litigator through the regulatory landscape surrounding passenger and light truck tires. Tire regulation rulemaking provides important insights into manufacturers positions on safety issues. Any lawyer with a tread separation case needs an understanding of the regulatory scheme its history and the implications for litigation. The later chapters take you step-by-step through a tire case, from how to determine if you have a viable case, to preserving the evidence and then choosing the right experts. It explores tire service issues, such as placement and inspections and the liability of tire service centers. Another chapter focuses on the relationship between the vehicle passenger cars, SUVs, light and heavy trucks, and motor homes and the tire in a failure case. The nuts and bolts of prosecuting your tire case are covered, such as identifying defendants, writing the complaint, conducting discovery, finding Other Similar Incidents (OSI), and working through and under protective orders. The book is intended to help you develop litigation theories and prepare you to meet manufacturers common defenses. While taking on a tire manufacturer for a deserving client involves a huge commitment of time and resources, it is emotionally rewarding work. This book gives you a grounding in every aspect of tire litigation, and it will serve as a starting point for your journey into tire defect litigation.

Edition details

• Publisher: Lawyers & Judges Pub Co
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1936360217
• ISBN 13: 9781936360215
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256
• Editor: Robert E. Ammons