According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 8000 car accidents across the country each year are caused by tire problems. If you live in Homestead, Hollywood, or any South Florida community, you don’t have to deal with snow tires or the effects on ice on your tires. However, tire safety can still help you avoid some collisions.
You may have seen debris from tire blowouts on Hollywood and South Florida roads. These types of incidents can happen if a tire rolls over a sharp object on the road but can also happen if a tire becomes worn down or overheats. Tire blowouts can also happen due to tire defects.
To stay safer on the roads, be sure to follow these tire safety best practices:
- Keep your tires correctly inflated: Underinflation means too much of the surface of the tire is in contact with the road, and overinflation can put you at risk of blowouts. Overinflated tires can make it harder for you to control your car because these tires have less traction. Check your tires and car owner’s manual to determine how much your tires should be inflated and use an air pressure gauge and tire pump to keep your tires at the correct levels.
- Change your tires when they get worn down: Your car is more likely to slide and to have a tougher time coming to a prompt stop when the treads are worn down. If your tires get really worn down, their structural integrity can be impacted, making you susceptible to blowouts. A simple way to test your treads is to place a penny in the treads. You should not be able to see any section of Abraham Lincoln on the penny if you have good treads.
- Check your tires regularly: Keep an eye on your tires and take your car in to the dealership or to a trusted mechanical if you notice any abnormal wear, nails, damage or any bulges in your tires. Check your tires before every long trip and at least once or twice a month.
- Have your tires checked regularly: When you have your oil changed or take your car in for maintenance, have your mechanic check your tires as well.
- Get your tires from reputable sources: If you buy used tires, make sure you’re not buying tires which have been recalled. Even if you’re buying new, make sure you buy from a reputable source who stores tires correctly. If tires are stored for long periods of time or stored in hot temperatures, their structural integrity can be impacted and they may not be safe for your vehicle.
Your car’s tires take you where you need to go. If a tire malfunction or defect has caused you to be in a car accident, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation. If your collision was caused by a defective tire or by someone’s negligence, you may have a legal claim. A free, no obligation case evaluation with the team at Flaxman Law Group can help you determine whether you have a claim.