Philadelphia car accident lawyers know that car accidents can happen anytime, but drivers should know that summertime is prime time for tire blowouts. Tire manufacturers are aware that tire blow out season runs from mid-May to late October due to various factors.
First, increased heat will contribute to the possibility of a tire blowout, but summertime is high season as drivers are more likely to be driving longer distances and with greater weight in the car for a family road trip. Other contributing factors include hitting a pothole and neglecting tire pressure. Under-inflation of tires is the main cause of a blowout as a tire will give way slowly over time. A pothole or a few people in the car can send the tire to blowout as well.
It goes without saying that maintaining tire pressure and checking tire tread regularly are the best defenses against a tire blowout. Additionally, maintaining a safe driving distance between yourself and the car in front of you will lessen the chance of any accidents when a tire blow out occurs either on your car or another.
What should you do if your tire blows out?
First, continue at the same speed after the blowout. Since your car will be losing a large percentage of traction, hitting the brakes with added pressure will likely cause you to quickly lose control. Next, you should gently steer in the opposite direction from where the car is pulling. The car will start to pull toward the blown out tire, so if you gently steer away from it, you may be able to maintain the car in the same lane. Once the car begins to stabilize, gently slow down and pull over. Immediately call for help and do not continue to drive as you could further damage your car and put yourself and others at risk of an accident.
Serious accidents can occur when unexpected tire blow outs occur. Even the “tire gators,” the shreds of tire that fall all over the road after a blow out, can contribute to cause accidents. If you or someone you know has been injured because of a tire blow out on their car or from another person’s car, the victim should contact an attorney to assess the matter.
Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates Advocate for Those Injured in a Car Accident
Whether the car accident occurred because of a blown-out tire or another cause, Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates can help you. It is important that you contact a Philadelphia car accident lawyer who is familiar with accidents involving automobiles so that they know what questions to ask and how to explore theories of liability. Contact us in one of our two Philadelphia offices or in our Cherry Hill, New Jersey, office regarding accidents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Call us at 215-567-6600 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.