Early in his journalism career, Kerry L. Tucker had a revelation: there were not enough experts reporting on law issues. Legal matters are part of daily life. Yet, there seems to be a general aversion towards them. One of the main reasons for this is that the convoluted legal language is difficult for many people to follow. Therefore, he decided to change how the law is perceived by the public. Throughout his career, he met with many people who shared their personal stories with him. Some of these hit him harder. One of the cases that stayed with him and influenced his future career development was a car accident case involving a child. From then on, he decided to zero in on car accident lawsuits.
6 Tips for Handling a Tire Blowout
Most drivers will never experience anything more frightening than having a tire blowout while on the road. The number of crashes caused by blown tires has been in steady decline since tire pressure monitoring systems became mandatory for new cars in 2008. But 11,000 car crashes still happen each year because of blowouts.
These blowout accidents are also responsible for 700 deaths each year. Drivers who can keep their wits about them and remain mindful of the following tips will increase their chances of staying safe through a blowout.
1. Remain Calm
The hardest thing to do in times of stress is doing nothing. But this is what you need to do immediately after a blowout. Do not turn the steering wheel, take your foot off the gas, or press down on the brakes. These actions could cause you to lose control of the vehicle. So, take a deep breath and do not allow yourself to panic.
2. Hold the Wheel Straight
Your vehicle will likely drift to one side or the other following a blowout. You can steady the car by gripping the steering wheel firmly with both hands. Your vehicle may fishtail or wobble a bit. But do not try to correct the problem by turning the steering wheel.
3. Give a Little Gas
This tip will seem counterintuitive to some readers. But pressing on the gas a bit may help you to keep control of the car. The intent is not to drive the car faster. You are only trying to generate the momentum necessary to keep your vehicle moving as steady as possible in the right direction. Once you are moving steadily forward, slowly lift your foot from the gas.
4. Allow the Car to Slow Down
A blown tire will cause your car to travel slower. Activate your hazard lights as soon as you realize you have a blown tire since it will not be long before your vehicle travels slower than the minimum allowable speed on most roadways. Do not interfere with the decreasing driving speed of the car.
5. Exit Traffic
Once your vehicle slows to about 20 MPH, it is time to search for a way to avoid oncoming traffic. It is safe to turn the wheel at this speed, so look for an exit ramp if you are on a highway. If you are traveling along a city street, look for a place you can pull over that will not place you in harm’s way.
6. Take Prevention Measures
You have likely heard the phrase about an ounce of prevention being more valuable than a pound of cure. This phrase is especially true with regards to tire blowouts. One prevention method that is sure to pay dividends is a regular check of your tire’s air pressure.
Low air pressure is the number one cause of tire blowouts. Newer cars come equipped with automatic electronic tire pressure gauges. You will have to check your tire pressure manually if you drive an older car.
Also, do not drive your car if the treads show signs of wear or the rubber has cracks. Doing so will not only cause damage to your rims but can also expose you and your family to unnecessary danger. The bottom line is that high-quality tires and regular preventive maintenance can do a lot to prevent tire blowouts.
Key Takeaways
A blown tire can quickly turn a daily drive into a life-threatening experience. The good news is that proper care for your tires can decrease the risk of this hazard. Several driving techniques will also help you stay safe if you experience a blowout on the road. But if you did have a severe accident due to a blown tire, contact an attorney immediately.
We at Bernstein and Poisson have more than 60 years of combined experience of holding negligent parties in car accidents accountable and securing for our clients the compensation they are due. So, if you were injured in an accident due to somebody else’s negligence (including failure to maintain their cars safe), don’t hesitate to contact us. But don’t take our word for it. Check out the link for some of the most successful Bernstein & Poisson case results.
