Motorists Claimed Defective Tire Design Caused Tread Separation

FACTS & ALLEGATIONS:

Cynthia Doe, a 49-year-old music teacher and church choir director, was traveling on I-45 near Texas City when her Ford Explorer’s left rear tire had a tread separation which led to loss of control of the vehicle and rollover.  Doe’s seat belt inertially unlatched and she was ejected from the vehicle, suffering injuries to both legs.

Clarence Doe, a passenger, was also ejected and died at the hospital.  Kylie Doe, was ejected and suffered a neck injury.  Keydrin Doe was in the cargo area and was not ejected. He suffered only minor injuries.

Plaintiffs alleged the Ford Explorer, which was purchased from Charlie Thomas Ford, was unstable due to a narrow track width and a high center of gravity.  Also, the tire was improperly designed and manufactured, and that it was defective which caused the tread separation.

INJURIES/DAMAGES
Doe had to undergo bilateral amputation of her legs.  Her total past medicals were $332,000, and her estimated future medicals were $1,000,000.  She claimed $50,000 in past lost wages and a range of $500,000 to $1,000,000 in future loss of earning capacity.  She claimed her career as a teacher would end prematurely due to her injuries.  Kylie Doe, 14, underwent a fusion for his neck injury with medicals totaling $33,000.

RESULT:Bridgestone/Firestone settled prior to mediation for a confidential amount. Ford and Charlie Thomas Ford also settled in mediation for a confidential amount

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of others, call or click here to contact the Houston tire defect attorneys at The Ammons Law Firm today for a free consultation.

Rob Ammons is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, in addition to being Board Certified in Civil Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Rob Ammons’ law practice, The Ammons Law Firm, is located in Houston, Texas. The Ammons Law Firm practice is exclusively personal injury law, handling such cases as tire defects, oil rig explosions, truck accidents, plant explosions, refinery accidents, wrongful death, post-collision fires, seat belt defects, airbag defects, SUV rollovers, and workplace negligence.