The widow of a man killed in a crane accident earlier this year has filed a lawsuit against two tire manufacturers she says are to blame for the death.
The accident occurred May 26, 2016 at approximately 1 p.m. in the southbound section of Interstate 75 in Manatee County. The victim, John Wells, was operating a 1980 construction crane when its front tire thread suddenly came undone. The vehicle swerved off the road into a nearby embankment, then crossed the adjacent entrance ramp before ultimately careening into another embankment and overturning. Wells died at the scene.
According to Wells’ wife, two companies — Foy’s Transport Tire Service and TBC Tire and Battery — failed to ensure the vehicle was safe for operation. In the lawsuit, she claims TBC failed to properly and inspect the tire, failed to warn Foy’s of possible tire defects and misrepresented the tire’s use on cranes and similar vehicles. Additionally, according to court documents, the crane did not have a functional seat belt installed.
Product liability a factor in some motor vehicle accidents
In some situations, a defective product or equipment could be at fault for an auto accident. If a specific part of a vehicle was defective, and that defect directly led to the crash, that part’s manufacturer may be fully or partially liable for any damages that occur.
Tires are a common example. Blowouts are especially common in larger vehicles, such as semi-trucks and large construction equipment.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, you may need to seek compensation for injuries and property damage. Learn more by working with a dedicated Bradenton personal injury attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.