Tire blowouts can happen in the blink of an eye, forcing drivers to react quickly and in a dangerous manner.
If drivers are unprepared for this type of incident, they might cause more harm in the process of trying to stop their vehicle.
Continue reading to learn about potential causes of tire blowouts, ways you can help prevent this from occurring, and how to stay safe if you find yourself in this situation.
What Are Tire Blowout Accidents?
Tire blowout accidents occur when a tire is damaged severely enough that it loses all of its air at once. This immediately makes the vehicle difficult to control. Drivers may jerk and swerve, slam on their brakes, or struggle to move safely to the side of the road. In all cases, a blown out tire makes it nearly impossible to continue driving safely.
Causes of Tire Blowouts
Since tire blowouts usually happen in a flash, most drivers have no warning beforehand. These kind of flats can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Potholes
- Over or under inflated tires
- Debris on the road
- Overloading the vehicle
- Small puncture damage that grows
- Uneven tire wear
- Driving on expired tires
- Manufacturing defects
How to Prevent Tire Blowouts
According to the NHTSA, there were 738 traffic fatalities in 2017 from tire-related crashes. To protect yourself from harm, you must have the tools necessary to avoid these types of accidents. Only 19 percent of consumers properly check and inflate their tires, so here are a few ways you can be more “TireWise” as recommended by the NHTSA:
- Regularly check your tire pressure
- Rotate your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
- Frequently check your tires for wear and tear and replace them when needed
- Drive safely and keep your attention on the road at all times
- Avoid road hazards that could damage your tires
- Slow down as you travel over potholes
- If your tire blows out, do not slam on your brakes. Steer toward the side of the road and slow down cautiously.
Steps to Take After an Accident
If you are involved in a tire-related accident, there are steps you should take to ensure your safety.
- Do not leave the scene of the accident.
- Call 911.
- Talk to witnesses.
- Take pictures of the damage.
- Contact your insurance company.
- Seek medical attention.
- Evaluate the tire and determine the cause of why it blew out.
Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Can Help You Receive Compensation
If you are involved in an accident due to a tire blowout, Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is here to help. Our goal is to provide tailored, client-centric legal solutions. We work closely with our clients to ensure they receive a positive outcome to their case. We know how stressful an accident can be, so we will do what we can to help you rebuild your life.
Our offices are located in Orem, Provo, Saratoga Springs, and West Jordan, Utah. Contact us to set up your free case evaluation today.