One of the most overlooked causes of winter traffic accidents is worn or defective tires. Collision injuries in Fairfield County caused by worn or defective tires are a winter risk because bad tires make an operator more likely to lose control of a vehicle during icy or slippery conditions.
Tire Care Critical to Avoiding Traffic Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than 11,000 crashes occur each year because of bad or defective tires. The government website offers consumers a wealth of information, from safety and recall information to tire ratings and a buyer's guide. But assuming your tires are not defective and have been properly chosen and installed, nothing has a greater impact on safety than routine maintenance.
Ensure your tires are properly inflated. Under-inflating tires increases heat and friction and is a leading cause of blowouts. Keeping your tires properly inflated not only keeps you and your passengers safer, it saves you money because you will use less fuel. Still, only 1 in 5 consumers make it a point to keep their tires properly inflated.
Have your tires routinely rotated. This evens tire wear, reduces likelihood of a blowout and makes your tires last longer.
If you do suffer a blowout while driving, safety advocates advise you to hold the steering wheel with both hands, gradually release the accelerator and correct steering as necessary to stabilize vehicle travel. Look where you want to go and steer carefully in that direction. Continue to slow down and pull off the road when and where you determine it's safe to do so.
Defective Tires and Accident Liability
Tires may also be defective for a variety of reasons. Common defects include:
- Tread or steel-belt separation
- Improper mounting or repair
- Improper tires chosen for vehicle
- Retread defect
- Manufacturer defect
Primary risks of tire failure include lane departure accidents and rollovers, both of which significantly increase the risk of sustaining a serious injury. A driver who loses control of his or her vehicle because of a tire blowout may not be able to stop or slow down - thus resulting in a head-on collision or rear-end accident. These tend to be complex auto accident cases and are best handled by an experienced law firm. Contact Vishno Law Firm today and find out how we can help you.