Tire Blowouts: How They Happen
Tire blowouts are a common reason for drivers to lose control of their vehicle. This can occur with any type of motor vehicle. Blowouts happen because a tire suddenly loses pressure for a number of reasons, including lack of tire maintenance or defective manufacturing. It is important to know how to control the vehicle once a tire blowout occurs. It is also necessary to learn about proper tire inflation and when they need to be replaced in order to prevent accidents due to tire blowouts.
Why Tire Blowouts Happen
Many factors are involved in tire blowouts. They range from weather conditions to improper inflation. Let’s look at several of the most common causes:
- Overinflation: Just like an overinflated balloon, tires with too much air are stiff. Because of this, they have a higher risk of a blowout when traveling over potholes or even a driveway with a high lip. The additional air may distort the tire’s shape. This decreases the tire’s grip on the road and can lead to excessive wear in the center.
- Weather: Excessive heat can cause the tire to weaken and eventually blowout. Summer is a popular time for vacation, but it also brings high temperatures. Combine an increased number of passengers in a vehicle along with high heat, and the chance of a blowout is increased.
- Overload: Vehicles have a maximum weight load they can carry. The tires must be inflated according to the weight they will carry. It is a good idea to check the inflation your vehicle manufacturer suggests for a particular weight load. This may take a little effort to calculate the weight of the vehicle plus passengers, but it will lessen the risk of a tire blowout.
- Underinflation: Underinflated tires can lead to a tire blowout by causing the components to flex. Flexed components are more likely to break when exposed to high temperatures.
- Uneven road surfaces: Poor road surfaces can lead to a tire blowout. For instance, hitting a pothole at a high speed is capable of slashing into the tire. This leads to a spontaneous blowout. If the impact is such that the damage to the tire is hidden, it may take time for a blowout to happen.
How to Counter a Tire Blowout
Anyone who has experienced a blowout knows how it feels. The ride becomes rough, and there is that familiar flapping noise. Then you begin to realize that you are no longer in control of the vehicle. It is important to know what to do ahead of time. Here are some pointers:
- Do not slam on the brakes.
- Maintain pressure on the accelerator. You want to keep moving.
- You’ll feel a gentle pull away from your path. You might need to counter steer to maintain your lane.
- Start slowing the vehicle gently.
- Move toward the shoulder of the road if possible, and bring the vehicle to a halt.
Not All Tire Blowouts Are Due to Poor Maintenance
Some tire blowouts are due to faulty manufacturing or tire design. There are several common types of tire defects:
- Tread separation: This is found in steel-belted radial tires. Because of a manufacturing failure, the steel belts don’t stick to the rubber.
- Bead failures: The wire is made of materials with insufficient strength.
- Sidewall failure: This occurs when the tire is inflated.
What an Attorney Can Do For You
After an accident due to a tire blowout, an experienced attorney can investigate the crash to see why it happened. It is important to determine who or what is at fault. If a truck’s tire blowout caused a crash, it is possible to inspect the logs a trucking company must maintain. This would prove negligence if the tires were not maintained. Automobile drivers do not maintain logs. There are other ways to see if the owner checked to see if the tire was properly inflated or had worn down by checking a mechanic’s records. Once the fault is established, the lawyer can pursue a case to obtain just compensation for the injured party. Remember, you won’t pay anything for the lawyer’s involvement in your case until you’ve won.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. If you were involved in an accident due to a tire blowout, you need an experienced lawyer. You can reach me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also contact me online.
I’ve helped many clients receive the compensation they deserve in many types of traumatic accidents, wrongful deaths, and serious injuries.
I’ve been granted membership in two prestigious organizations I would like to share with you:
Learn about my practice on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_37627243_l-2015
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