Florida Car Tire Blowout Accidents Statistics
Have you ever driven past a tire tread on the side of the highway and wondered how it happened, or if anyone was hurt? Tire blowouts are extremely dangerous, and they can happen for a number of reasons. Tires are oftentimes the unsung heroes of a safe trip on the roads since they are the things that are in direct contact with the roadway and keep you safe from skidding or losing control, but this also means that tires are subject to wear and tear that needs to be addressed in order to keep everyone safe. This includes making sure that the tires are inflated to the appropriate pressure, monitoring tread wear to ensure that tires are replaced before they are dangerous, and more.
Truck tires are the most common on the side of roads, simply because of the fact that there are 18 instead of 4, that they are under strain each day, and that truck drivers drive more than 5x more than the average passenger driver — in addition to the fact that their tires are far larger than passenger vehicle tires.
Contact Fasig | Brooks for a Free Consultation If You Have Been Hurt in a Tire Blowout
Don’t be just another statistic — our team of personal injury lawyers will help you take on the insurance company and get the compensation that you rightfully deserve after their client failed to properly maintain their tires and caused an accident. When an accident is caused by a blowout, it can seem difficult to determine whether or not the accident was caused by negligence relating to a failure to properly maintain the vehicle, if it is a manufacturer issue, or whether or not there is a third-party such as a mechanic or vehicle shop that last serviced the tires and is responsible for the blowout. Regardless, you should not have to go through this process alone.
The award-winning team at Fasig | Brooks is here to discuss your situation in detail during a free initial consultation, where we will be able to give you insight into our own process, as well as provide you with examples of past cases that we have won similar to yours. Our goal is that you can take this time to focus on your recovery while we are working with the insurance company on your behalf. The sooner we are working together, the sooner you can get back the space that you deserve so that you can get your life back on track.
How Many Accidents Are Caused By Tire Failures Each Year?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were a total of 738 fatalities stemming from tire-related accidents in 2017. For example, a fatal accident in Alligator Alley is attributed to a tire blowout, which led to the death of an infant as well as injuries sustained by a number of adults and children. This is just one of the countless examples of a tragedy caused by a tire failure which may have been avoided with proper maintenance.
What Causes Tire Blowouts?
There are a number of factors that may contribute to a tire blowout, though the specifics of each blowout are highly dependent on the many circumstances present in the events leading up to the crash. Some of the most common issues leading to a tire blowout include the following:
Tire Pressure
Tire pressure is unquestionably the most important factor to pay constant attention to for your vehicle. When a tire is properly inflated, it allowed the tire to roll as it is designed, and can improve your vehicle’s gas mileage significantly. When tires are low, it can cause uneven wear patterns and additional surface area hitting the pavement. When overinflated, the rubber may reach a breaking point and blowout.
Tire Tread
Your tire tread is another essential factor in keeping safe on the road. Treads are meant to provide grip on the road, and your tire or tread must be replaced if the treads are shallower than 2/32 of an inch. Once below this depth, you are at risk of skidding in inclement weather and may increase the risk of a blowout because of the additional stress to the structure of the tire without the treads to act as a buffer.
Tire Balance and Alignment
Having your tires balanced and rotated is very important for the safety of your vehicle. When tires are not balanced and aligned, it can cause your vehicle to wobble and shake, which will lead to additional wear and tear on your tires and ultimately can contribute to a dangerous blowout on the road.
Tire Rotation
No matter how diligent you are with maintaining proper air pressure, balance, and alignment, your tires will likely have different wear patterns based on where they are installed on the vehicle. In order to normalize this wear so that one spot, in particular, does not wear out faster than the rest, you need to have your tires rotated at regular intervals. This will help lengthen the useful life of your tires and reduce the chance of a blowout.
Tire Size
If your tires are not all the same size, there will be an irregular amount of pressure and wear on some tires. If your tires do not wear in a relatively uniform manner, you are at risk of having a blowout, flat, or other tire issues – not to mention the damage that you may be doing to your vehicle itself.
