by A Road Tragedy Due to a Manufacturing Defect
The Michelin company has received a court verdict amounting to $220 million in compensation for a fatal accident that occurred in 2021. This decision was made by a jury in New Mexico. Although the tire manufacturer has the right to appeal this decision, such an end to the year was hardly part of its plans.
The accident, which claimed three lives, occurred on July 12, 2021, in Gaines County, Texas. Laura Marín Zamarippa was driving the family’s Ford Excursion, which also contained her mother, Rosalva Marín, and her 14-year-old sister, Alexis Zamarippa. According to court documents, the left front tire suddenly failed, causing the vehicle to veer into the oncoming lane and collide with a Chevrolet 2500. All three passengers in the Ford died. Investigators later determined that the SUV was equipped with Michelin LTX M/S2 tires manufactured in 2014.
The Problem Lay in the Tire’s Design
After the accident, the husband of the deceased Rosalva Marín filed a lawsuit against Michelin in New Mexico, claiming the tire was defective. The claims focused on the internal construction of the LTX M/S2 model. The lawsuit alleged that the adhesive rubber layer connecting the steel belts was improperly applied, which, according to the plaintiffs, contributed to tread separation and subsequent failure.
The lawsuit also claimed that the tire had a lower-quality belt system and was not properly vulcanized or manufactured according to specifications.
Furthermore, the lawsuit stated that neither Michelin nor Discount Tire provided adequate warnings about the risks associated with tire aging and the possibility of their deterioration over time.
The Jury Verdict and the Company’s Reaction
The jury ultimately placed 100% of the responsibility for the accident on Michelin, finding that the tire was defective at the time of its sale to Discount Tire, which later installed it on the family vehicle.
As part of the $220 million compensation, each surviving member of the Marín family will receive $6.25 million for emotional distress and loss of companionship, and each member of the Zamarippa family will receive $5 million.
Michelin stated that it strongly disagrees with the court’s outcome, citing that the tire had traveled approximately 70,000 miles at the time of the collision.
“We respect the work of the jury and acknowledge the profound loss suffered by the family, but we categorically disagree with the outcome of this case. The evidence presented at trial showed that the tire was seven years old, had been damaged, and had traveled approximately 70,000 miles. We believe in the quality, innovation, and safety of our products and will vigorously use all available legal mechanisms to overturn the decision,” a company representative stated.
This case highlights complex issues of manufacturer liability and product lifespan. Despite the company’s statements about the tire’s high mileage, the verdict emphasizes that the court prioritized issues of manufacturing quality and design. Such cases often have a significant impact on the industry, potentially forcing a review of testing standards, expiration date labeling, or consumer information about the safe service life of complex technical products, even as commonplace as automobile tires.
