While often overlooked, vehicle tires play a crucial role in transporting most Americans every day. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that tire defects or failures cause thousands of injuries across the nation yearly. Experts estimate that over 500 people perish each year in car accidents caused by tire failure. Read on to learn more about the common causes of tire failure and how to protect yourself from this common danger.
Common Causes of Tire-Related Accidents
There are numerous ways in which a tire can cause a car accident. Unfortunately, tire-related failures have the potential to cause serious injury and even death. Nearly 19,000 individuals suffer injuries every year from tire-related car crashes. Other vehicles, pedestrians and nearby buildings are all put at risk when a tire flies off of a moving car. The most common causes for tire-related failure and accidents are:
- Using a tire past its expiration date
- Weakened rubber on the tire
- Overfilled or underfilled tires
- Blowouts caused by road conditions
- Separation of the treads
- Defectively designed or manufactured tires
Protecting Yourself from Tire Failure
In most situations, tire-related accidents are avoidable. There are several steps consumers should take to protect themselves from these types of collisions including:
- Research every new tire purchase
- Use the right tire for the weather (all-season, all-terrain, winter tires, summer tires)
- Verify your tire’s expiration dates regularly
- Register your tires with the manufacturer in case of a safety recall
- Regularly inspect your tires for damage, cracks, rust, bubbles and wear spots
- Inspect your tire treads
- Check your tire pressure often
- Avoid potholes and other road debris when possible
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Tire
Many people mistakenly believe that all tires are the same, but that is far from the truth. When choosing which tire is appropriate for the road conditions, weather and vehicle you have, it may be helpful to look at the tire’s rating. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards utilizes a standardized rating system to grade the following factors:
- Treadwear: The rate at which a tire’s treads will wear down. Ratings range from below 200 to above 600
- Traction: The level at which a tire can stop on wet pavements. Ratings are AA, A, B or C
- Temperature: The level of the tire’s resistance to heat. Ratings are A, B or C.
Contact a Pompano Beach Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Tire-Related Accident Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to tire failure or a tire blowout in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Gonzalez & Cartwright represent clients injured because of tire-related accidents in Lake Worth, Pompano Beach, Boynton Beach, Greenacres, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Deerfield Beach, and throughout Florida. Call 561-898-0497 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 813 Lucerne Ave, Lake Worth, FL 33460, in addition to offices located in Pompano Beach, Florida.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.