Florida Personal Injury Blog
MIAMI CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER, JONATHAN PERAZZO, SHARES INSIGHT INTO CAR ACCIDENTS THAT RESULT FROM A TIRE BLOWOUT
Vehicles can experience a number of mechanical failures which can lead to drivers suffering a car accident. One such mechanical failure, and perhaps one of the most dangerous, especially when driving at high speeds, is a tire blowout. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are some 75,000 tire blowouts per year on US avenues, highways, and roads, with some 400 motorists suffering fatal personal injuries. Furthermore, studies show that tire-related accidents account for almost 10% of car accidents in the U.S.A.
In this article, Jonathan Perazzo of the Perazzo Law Firm in Miami-Dade explains:
- Why tires blowout.
- What to do to prevent an accident that involves tire blowouts.
- What to do if a front or rear tire blows out while driving.
What causes a tire to blowout?
There are several factors that can lead to a tire blowout, which usually occurs from the inside-out much like an explosion. However, prevention and proper tire maintenance are perhaps the best ways to prevent a tire blowout accident. Some of the main reasons why a tire blows out can include:
- Not enough air in the tire – when a tire is does not have enough air pressure, it may cause the sides to stretch beyond capacity and explode due to overheating.
- Too much air in the tire – if there is too much air pressure, the sides may not be able to handle the impact of bumps or potholes due to the heat from friction on the road surface.
- Extremely high temperatures
- Excessive cargo weight
- Wear and tear such as balding and rips – check for rips, tears, or gashes that may potential weaken the sides of tires.
- Excessive strain on the interior area of the tire
What to do to prevent an accident that involves tire blowouts:
To prevent a tire blowout and a potential car accident, vehicle owners should verify that their tires and in good condition and contain the correct amount of air pressure, which appears in the vehicle’s owner’s manual. Taking the car to an experienced mechanic, tire repair shop, or full-service gasoline station can help the vehicle owner check if the air pressure in the vehicle’s tires is correct. Another very important safety tip to prevent a tire blowout is to refrain from overloading the vehicle and surpassing the tires weight capacity. Overloading the vehicle can cause a tire blowout when the inside of the tire becomes overheated. When the interior of the tire overheats, it can cause an explosion.
What to do if your tire blows out while driving:
When a vehicle’s tire blows out, the vehicle will abruptly lose speed and the steering wheel will jerk violently to the right or left. Gaining control of the vehicle is fundamental and knowing what to do can safe the lives of drivers and passengers. The speed at which the driver is operating his/her vehicle is also a main factor that determines the severity of a possible accident. The greater the speed, the more difficult it will be for the driver to control the sudden change in speed and direction. That’s why it is important to respect speed limits and make sure the vehicle’s tires are in good condition and properly inflated.
- REAR TIRE BLOWOUTS
Thinking that a front tire blowout is more dangerous than a rear tire blowout is a common misconception because drivers cannot control the rear part of their vehicle. According to tire blowout research, rear tire blowouts result in greater loss of control than front tire blowouts given that drivers can maneuver their vehicle when the front tire blows out.
- FRONT TIRE BLOWOUTS
If your front tire blows out, the car will abruptly pull to one side, usually in the direction of the tire that has blown out. If this happens, the driver must not react by turning the steering wheel in the opposite direction because this will only lead to the vehicle spinning out of control or flipping over if travelling at high speeds. If the left tire blows out, for example, gently apply the break and continue in that direction and hope for the best. Once you have come to a complete stop, maneuver the vehicle to a safe spot, either on the highway shoulder or side of the road. Contact the authorities and request road service.
REMEMBER:
- DO NOT SLAM THE BRAKES – GENTLY SLOW THE CAR DOWN
- HOLD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTLY
- ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO FOLLOW ITS INERTIA
- PULL OVER TO A SAFE PLACE
- CONTACT THE AUTHORITIES
REMEMBER
- CHECK YOUR TIRES REGULARLY
- MAKE SURE THE AIR PRESSURE IS CORRECT
- AVOID ROAD HAZARDS THAT MAY DAMAGE YOUR TIRES AND CAUSE A BLOWOUT
The Miami Car Accident Lawyer, Jonathan Perazzo wishes everyone safe driving.
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