According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, faulty tires are responsible for at least 8,000 traffic accidents each year.
Inspecting and maintaining safe tires on a vehicle is the responsibility of its owner. Worn or under-inflated tires negatively affect a car’s maneuverability, and can potentially lead to an auto accident.
Checking Your Tire Treads
Tires are the one part of the car that has direct contact with the road. If the treads are worn they are no longer able to function properly and can cause a car to lose its traction, especially during inclement weather. Car owners should frequently check the tread using a penny placed in the groove. If Abe Lincolns head is covered, then the tire still has plenty of treads to keep the car safely on the road. A vehicle that does not have enough traction will need more time to come to a stop and poses a risk of the driver losing control as his car slides on the pavement.
The air pressure inside the tires should always be maintained at the manufacturers’ suggestion. Under-inflated tires can cause blowouts or lost control of the vehicle. By keeping the tires pressure at optimal levels the steering and stopping capabilities of the vehicle are improved. Larger vehicles such as SUVs and passenger vans run a risk of a rollover accident if the tires are not inflated properly.
When a Tire Is Not Properly Inflated
This past September, 15 church members were injured and one killed when a 15 passenger van rolled over as a result of a rear tire mishap. This accident eerily resembles a 2003 Missouri crash that injured several passengers and killed two. Both scenes were single-vehicle accidents that occurred because the tread had separated from the left rear tire. In the Missouri accident, four separate entities were blamed for the accident, including the car and tire manufacturer as well as Walmart. Walmarts role in the lawsuit was the negligence of its tire center in the maintenance of this particular vehicle. Just one month prior to the crash the van had been serviced at Walmart. Records for that visit showed that employees did not properly check the tires or inflate them. This type of vehicle requires a psi of 80 for its rear tires. The tire that blew out was only inflated to 50 psi at the service center.
Continued driving on an underinflated tire will eventually cause the treads to separate and the tire to blow out. In this case, the negligence of the staff at Walmarts service center was found to be the underlying cause of the accident and the chain agreed to settle the claim for an undisclosed amount.
St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers
Anytime you are injured in a car accident it is recommended that you consult with a car accident lawyer. There may be an underlying cause that you are unaware of, but that could aid you in receiving compensation for the damages.
If you have been injured in a Missouri auto accident, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. right away. We can help you uncover crucial evidence necessary to help you determine what caused your accident and work to get you the compensation you need to move forward.