Montgomery Personal Injury Lawyer - Automobile Accidents - Most Popular

A Dangerous RV Tire - The Goodyear 159 - Has Caused Problems

Tom Methvin — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 14:50:55 GMT

Beasley Allen Law Firm has handled numerous cases against tire manufacturers when their tires failed causing accidents and injuries. As you may know, one of the most serious types of failure of a steel belted radial tire is a de-tread and/or belt separation. Because of the stress concentrations and subsequent high internal temperatures at the edge of the belt, this area is particularly sensitive to manufacturing, design and material problems. One tire we have learned has experienced problems with de-tread due to manufacturing and design defects is the Goodyear G159 steel belted radial tire. The G159 is actually a heavy truck tire made specifically by Goodyear for recreational vehicles. Several manufacturers, including Fleetwood and Monaco, have equipped their larger or class A recreational vehicles with the Goodyear 159 tire. These RV manufacturers selected the Goodyear 159 tire for use on their RVs based on Goodyear's rating of the G159 and its recommendation that this tire was appropriate for these larger recreational vehicles.

Recreational vehicles are very popular in the U.S. for use during vacations. They are also a fan favorite in this part of the country during the football season. Tragically, several families' vacations have turned into virtual nightmares when a Goodyear 159 failed, experiencing a tread separation, which caused an RV to lose control and crash. Our firm currently represents two families who have owned RVs equipped with these Goodyear tires whose vacations where cut short and lives forever changed because of these defective and dangerous tires.

The problem with the G159 is that it's design and manufacturing process are inadequate for the expected loads on these big RVs. The G159s that we have examined have exhibited some of the worst failures we have seen. The design and manufacturing problems have led to tire tread and outer belt separations of G159 tires in all parts of the country. Our cases against Goodyear are still in the discovery phase. Goodyear, despite repeated request and motions filed with the different Courts, refuses to produce any documents or witnesses without having the Courts enter a "Secrecy Order" so that the problems with their tire can be kept confidential. Because Goodyear has not provided any discovery to date, in our cases, we still don't know the full extent of the design and manufacturing problems which are causing the G159 failures. However, we have learned that at least one RV manufacturer, Fleetwood, has recalled some of their RVs which were equipped with the G159 tires after learning of the problems with the tire. As a part the Fleetwood recall, it is replacing the G159 on its affected RVs with Michelin tires.

We have also learned that another RV manufacturer, Monaco, has initiated, along with Goodyear, a tire "Customer Satisfaction Change Over" program were it, along with Goodyear, has offered to replace the Goodyear 159 tires on some of their RVs with larger and stronger Goodyear tires. While Goodyear maintains that the tire change over was due to customer abuse of the G159, the change over program, or silent recall, at least acknowledges that the G159 tires are not safe for these big RVs. In addition, we have learned that there have been numerous customer complaints to NHTSA relating to these tires. Several owners of RVs have had their G159 tires fail and have been more fortunate than others to escape injury.

What we don't know is how many other claims have been filed against Goodyear. We also don't know how many RVs are currently being operated with G159 tires. What we do know is that several of the larger RVs are no longer being built as equipped with the G159. However, until Goodyear or the RV manufacturers institute a program to replace the G159 with safer tires, RV users will remain at risk.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Tom Methvin

Car accident claims life of man without seatbelt

Staff Writer — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 10:00:51 GMT

A deadly, two-car accident in Mississippi yesterday claimed the life of an Alabama man who was not wearing his seatbelt.

The Mississippi Press reports on the motor vehicle accident, which occurred on the U.S. 90 bridge in Pascagoula, and involved a Toyota Camry and a Toyota Tacoma. The report says the man driving the Tacoma hit the Camry from behind, causing the fatal accident. The Tacoma flipped and the man was ejected and killed instantly. The Camry, carrying a mother and her 11-month-old baby, spun into the center lane divider on the bridge. Both the mother and daughter were treated for minor injuries at a nearby hospital.

State troopers are investigating to see if alcohol or drugs were involved in the tragic accident.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Roof strength standard update on hold until Oct. 1

Scott Thomas — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:39:06 GMT

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was scheduled to release its amended and upgraded federal standard on vehicle roof strength requirements July 1. However, after input from a U.S. Senate hearing on June 4 that featured testimony from groups such as the People Safe in Rollovers Foundation, and which called for the proposal to be significantly strengthened, the NHTSA has delayed its announcement of the final roof strength standard to Oct. 1.

The original NHTSA proposal would upgrade the Federal Motor Vehicle Saftey Standard No. 216, extending coverage to vehicles with gross weight ratings up to 10,000 pounds, and requiring a roof withstand an applied force equal to 2.5 times the vehicle's weight while still maintaining sufficient headroom for an average adult male.

The upgrade would for the first time regulate the roof strength of many SUVs and pickup trucks, many of which are currently exempt under a 6,000-pound standard. The current requirement for roof strength is that a roof withstand applied force equal to only 1.5 times the vehicle's weight.

However, despite the suggested increases, research and consumer groups objected to the NHTSA proposal, saying the suggested new standard is still not tough enough to protect drivers and passengers. They call for a standard that would increase roof strength to withstand at least 3.5 times the vehicle's weight.

Results of a 2008 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a nonprofit research and communications organization, supports the call for a stronger standard. The study found that occupants in vehicles that meet the current strength requirements by a narrow margin have elevated injury risks compared to occupants in vehicles with stronger roofs. The IIHS estimates that a standard requiring roof strength to increase to a level of 3 or 3.5 times the vehicle's weight would save hundereds of lives each year.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Thomas

Seven auto accident fatalities over weekend

Staff Writer — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 16:01:15 GMT

The sad statistics for Alabama's Christmas weekend motor vehicle accidents were reported in yesterday's Montgomery Advertiser. Seven people died and six were hospitalized as a result of weekend accidents throughout the state.

One of the deadly accidents involved two cars on U.S. 82 just south of Montgomery. The accident killed four people, according to reports.

Another accident occurred on I-85 near Mitylene when a car hit and killed a pedestrian, and a third accident in Lowndes County claimed the sixth life. The seventh fatality was a result of a motorist's collision wiht a tractor-trailer; the car's driver was killed and the truck's driver was not injured.

These tragic accidents serve as sobering reminders to drive carefully on the roads this busy holiday week.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Macon County Car Accident Injures Six

Shannon Weidemann — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:53:00 GMT

A holiday weekend car accident on Interstate 85 in Macon County injured six people on Sunday. They were all in a single vehicle headed north when the accident occured. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

State Troopers say the driver lost control and ran into the median. All six people were in the same vehicle. Two of them were "seriously" injured, but their wounds do not appear to be life threatening.

Two of the victims were airlifted to a local hospital to be treated for their injuries. It is unknown what caused the car accident. Alabama State Troopers are still investigating the accident and no charges have been filed. The interstate was closed in both directions while the victims were being tended to and the accident scene was cleaned up.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Three Car Accident near Attalla

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:37:31 GMT

Two people were injured when three cars collided in Etowah County. The car accident happened on Interstate 59 yesterday afternoon. The cars were on an overpass for Alabama Highway 77. The 34-year-old driver of one vehicle and five-year-old passenger were both hurt.

The victim was trapped in the car for almost an hour before finally being freed from the wreckage by emergency crews, after which she was airlifted by LifeSaver Helicopter to UAB for treatment. The child was transported to Riverview Regional Medical Center.

The drivers of the other vehicles were the only other people involved. They were not injured in the crash. The victims are both listed in stable condition. The police are still investigating the accident and the cause is not known. Traffic was delayed in the area for several hours following the accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Alabama Girl Scouts in Car Accident

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:13:00 GMT

Member of a Girl Scout troop from southern Alabama were involved in a single-car accident this week. The accident happened after a day of kayaking. The troop was making their way home in a caravan when when one of the vans was involved in an accident.

Brent says the girls were traveling in a caravan "They were all seat belted in. They were paying attention. The driver was paying attention, and just sort of over-corrected and went into the guard rail as we understand it," explained Brent.

Seven of the Girl Scouts were injured as well as the driver of the van. The most severe injuries involved a broken pelvis and a broken arm. Liz Brent, the CEO for the southern Alabama Girl Scouts, says they all understand the importance of wearing a seat belt much better now.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Man Injured in Montgomery Car Crash

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 23:25:15 GMT

An unidentified man was hurt in a car accident on a Montgomery highway earlier today. He was driving a car on Interstate 370 in Montgomery County. He drove off the road and hit a tractor that was parked in the grass.

The car struck a grass-cutting tractor, which was unoccupied, and caught fire, according to John McDonough, a spokesman for Maryland State Police. Grass and brush also caught fire, and both the car and the tractor were completely burned and crushed, according to fire officials.

The man was pulled from his burning car by a good samaritan. The extent of the driver's injuries are unknown. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The fire was extinguished by the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services and the interstate was reopened to traffic. There were no other injuries in the accident.

If you would like to read more about car accidents, please visit InjuryBoard's Car Accident information page.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Phil Campbell Car Accident Kills Two

Shannon Weidemann — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Two people were killed in a car accident in Phil Campbell on Friday night. The car burst into flames, making identification of the victims difficult. The accident happened on Alabama 13. The victims were in a Mercury Cougar.

Potter said the Cougar they were in was northbound on the two-lane portion of Alabama 13 when the accident occurred.

"It appears that the car went off the (east side of the roadway), then swerved back across the roadway into the path of a Ford pickup in the southbound lane."

Potter said the car was sideways when it crossed into the southbound lane and collided with the pickup.

The driver of the pickup truck was injured and taken to a local hospital. His injuries were reported to be minor. It is unknown what caused the accident and autopsies of the victims is underway. The police are still investigating.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Pick-up truck and car collide in fatal accident

Staff Writer — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 15:15:50 GMT

A fatal car accident in Jackson County occurred Thursday at 7:51 a.m. Alabama State Troopers reported that the accident occurred on U.S. Highway 72 about one mile east of Gurley.

A woman who as a passenger in a 1993 Nissan Altima was killed in the accident. The driver of the Altima was injured. The driver of the 1993 Chevrolet pick-up truck was not injured.

The cause of the accident is unreported.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer