Tire problems cause hundreds of car accidents every year. In fact, over five percent of crashes are caused by drivers losing control of their vehicles as a result of their tires skidding, slipping, or blowing out on the road.
Although five percent may seem low, tire problems should count for zero percent of accidents. Simple routine maintenance to make sure tires are safe is all that is needed to prevent these types of accidents from occurring at all.
Many drivers fail to take tire maintenance seriously…even though their own safety is in peril. But consider this: tires are not only vital to the safe operation of your vehicle, but they’re also expensive, so it makes sense to keep them in good shape for as long as possible. If you don’t, you could end up causing or suffering catastrophic injuries.
Checking Your Wheels
The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) has started a year-round “Be Tire Smart—Play Your Part” program in an effort to encourage drivers to learn how to keep their tires in good condition. It is recommended that drivers evaluate their tires every month to ensure that each one is safe to drive and doesn’t show signs of the following potential hazards:
- Shallow treads. If the tread on any of your tires appears to be unusually worn or measure less than 1/16 of an inch in depth, you may have a problem. When your treads aren’t deep enough, they can’t grip the road efficiently, and this may cause your stopping time to increase. An easy way to tell if your treads are too short is by looking for flat rubber bars that run perpendicular to the direction of the tread itself. When you start to see those bars, your tires need to be replaced.
- Low air pressure. Low air pressure can result from several different things including tire punctures, temperature changes, and inferior rubber. The loss of this pressure can cause your tires to deflate and grip the road abnormally. Periodically use your tire gauge to ensure the air pressure is at optimal levels; your vehicle’s owner’s manual should specify the ideal pressures.
- Deformities or damage. Tire blowouts commonly occur when the pressure in the tire rapidly exits a tire via a hole, tear, puncture, or loose seal. Ensure your tires aren’t susceptible to a blowout by periodically looking them over and feeling for any abnormalities, debris (nails, sharp bits of glass or concrete, etc.), or cuts that air could escape through.
Helping Our Clients Before, During, and After a Tire Mishap
After helping hundreds of car accident victims with their compensation and injury claims, we have learned that just about anything can cause a collision—from negligence to faulty tires to inclement weather. If you’re not prepared, you could wind up suffering catastrophic damage. This is why we like to take the initiative to educate our clients before an accident occurs. We feel that if you have the information you need before a collision, you’ll be better prepared to handle an emergency, to minimize injuries, and to strengthen your chance of a successful damage claim.
We’re proud to offer dozens of articles and resources on this website so you can get a better understanding of car accident prevention, risks, and claim options. Please, feel free to browse our extensive collection to learn more. You can also contact us at 386.673.4412 to speak with us directly and set up your free consultation.