Deadly Florida Accidents Remind us of the Importance of Proper Tire Maintenance

Posted by montlick on August 24th, 2016

Two recent traffic accidents in Florida involving tire blowouts demonstrates just how important it is to keep an eye on tire wear and tire pressure. One accident involved a vehicle carrying eleven people that flipped after one tire blew out, killing four sisters involved in the accident. The second tire blowout accident involved a tractor trailer that veered across the median of a highway into the path of another tractor trailer, killing the driver. Tire failure can happen at any time without warning. These two tragic accidents involved the deaths of innocent people and depending on the condition of the tires at the time of the accidents, the accidents may have been prevented if the tires were properly maintained and in working order.

Factors that Affect Tire Wear and Tire Pressure

There are a variety of factors and conditions that affect tire wear and tire pressure, and such factors will not be the same for every driver. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. The type of vehicle (i.e., semi-truck versus passenger vehicle or pickup truck);
2. How the vehicle is being used (i.e., work vehicle versus casual traveling);
3. Weather conditions;
4. Driver behavior;
5. Tire quality;
6. Age of tires;
7. Underinflated or overinflated tires;
8. Road conditions (pot holes, gravel, and other road damage that is hard on tires); and
9. Lack of maintenance.

Depending on what your vehicle is primarily used for, you will need to adapt the way you check your tires. If you use your vehicle for work purposes and are often rough on your tires, then it is more likely that your tires will wear quicker. If you simply use your vehicle to get from point A to point B, you may not be exposing your tires to as stressful of an environment. Additionally, if you frequently travel on roads that are full of potholes or gravel, your tires may be at risk for suffering damage that other drivers may not be exposed to.

The possibilities for how and why tire failure occurs can be endless, so it is important to take all possible steps to protect your tires. It cannot be stressed enough that all drivers should examine and maintain their tires on a regular basis. Checking tire pressure is relatively easy, as the driver’s side of most vehicles provides the recommended tire pressure. It is important to be aware that tires do not always behave the same, and depending on the type of vehicle you have, the front tires may need to be set at a different pressure than the rear tires.

As far as tire wear, if you have had your tires for quite some time (a few years or more), it is a good idea to have your tires examined by a professional who can determine the lifespan of your tires and whether or not it is safe for you to drive your car with those tires. Tire failure can happen when you least expect it and taking steps to prevent tire failure could be the difference between life and death as evidenced by the recent tragic accidents in Florida.

Contact Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

If you have been involved in a tire-related accident and have suffered injuries, you may want to consider speaking with a skilled Atlanta Car Accident Attorney if you believe your injuries are the fault of someone else. It is important to have a full understanding of what went wrong and how tires may have played a role in the accident. The law firm of Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, has more than thirty years of experience representing injured individuals and their loved ones from all across Georgia and in the Southeast. If you would like to speak with a qualified attorney who will advocate for your rights, contact Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, today by calling (800) LAW-NEED (529-6333) to schedule a free consultation. You may also visit us online at www.montlick.com, to complete a Free Case Evaluation Form, and you may also participate in a 24-hour Live Online Chat.