According to the National Transportation Safety Board, about 19,000 Americans are injured every year in car accidents caused by unsafe tires. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident involving unsafe tires, request a consultation with one of our car accident lawyers today. 

We can help you determine what your next steps should be so you can receive the compensation you deserve for car accident injuries. Continue reading to learn how unsafe tires cause car accidents.

Bald Tires

Drivers are responsible for maintaining and operating their vehicles as a reasonable person would. A reasonable driver who is concerned about the safety of themselves and others would inspect the tire tread of their vehicle once a month. When someone chooses to drive with bald tires, they have less stopping distance and are more likely to cause a car accident.

Bald tires have shallow treads that make it difficult to grip roads, especially when it rains. Once the grooves become too shallow to channel water out from beneath the tread, the vehicle is more likely to hydroplane. When a vehicle hydroplanes, the driver is no longer in control because the tires lose contact with the surface of the road.

Aren’t sure if you need to replace your tires? Checking the tire tread is as simple as inserting a penny upside down where the tread appears the lowest. You shouldn’t be able to see Abe Lincoln’s head. If you do, this is evidence that your tires are bald and need to be replaced as soon as possible.

If you were injured in an auto accident because the other driver had bald tires, request a consultation with one of our car accident lawyers as soon as possible. We’re ready to listen and help you receive the compensation you deserve for car accident injuries.

Underinflated or Overinflated Tires

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4 out of 5 consumers have underinflated tires. Underinflated tires touch more of the road, increasing friction and the risk of an accident. While more traction with the road may sound like a good thing, it actually increases the wear on your tires and can cause dangerous blowouts.

Overinflated tires are just as dangerous because less of the tire surface area is touching the road. Not only do overinflated tires increase your risk of a blowout, but they also make handling your vehicle difficult.

Drivers are responsible for checking their tire pressure once a month. Make sure that your tires are inflated to the proper PSI (pounds per square inch) recommended by the manufacturer, not the maximum PSI listed on the tires themselves. You can easily find the recommended PSI for your vehicle on the driver’s door jamb or in the owner’s manual.

Even if your vehicle has a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), we still recommend manually checking your tire pressure with a tire gauge. That way, you can have peace of mind that your vehicle is safe to drive. 

Wait a few hours after driving your car before checking the tire pressure. That way, the tires have a chance to cool down and you’ll get an accurate reading. Make sure you check all your tires, including the spare.

Other Kinds of Tire Defects

Besides the tire pressure and treads, the side of your tire can also get damage. This is called sidewall damage and can be caused by debris on the road. Sidewall damage is most noticeable because it’s often bubbles, bumps, or deep scratches on the side of your tire.

If you feel your car shakes or vibrators too much, then it could be your tires. A wheel could be out of alignment or balance. Inspecting your wheels can keep you safe by helping you avoid getting in accidents.

Call Our Car Accident Attorneys

Michigan is a “no-fault” car insurance state, which means you’ll need to first file a claim with your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) if you were injured in an auto accident. PIP will pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other economic damages up to your policy limits, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. However, Michigan law allows you to step outside this no-fault system if your injury is considered serious.

Filing a third-party claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance allows you to collect non-economic damages, such as those for pain and suffering. Our car accident attorneys can help you through the steps of filing a third-party claim so you can receive the compensation you deserve.

Our car accident attorneys can help you gather the evidence you need to prove the other driver was negligent by not maintaining his or her tires. For example, a police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence for your case. 

During a car accident investigation, police will inspect the vehicles and the scene of the accident to see if bald, underinflated, or overinflated tires were a factor.

Our auto accident attorneys are proud to serve clients in Grand Rapids and surrounding West Michigan. To request a consultation with one of our car accident lawyers in Grand Rapids, MI, call Beurkens Law at (616) 459-5344.

This blog post has been updated.