It is the responsibility of every driver to make sure that the tires of their vehicles have the right air pressure and are well-maintained. This is something you should check every time you get behind the wheel, as a quick review of the tire’s condition can save your life and of many other drivers sharing the road. The manufacturer is also responsible to uphold strict quality checks and ensure that their tires meet all safety standards. Likewise, auto repair service providers have the responsibility to ensure the tires are in good shape and are installed properly. If any of these responsible parties fail to execute their responsibilities and their failure causes an accident, they may be considered negligent and held liable, as a personal injury lawyer can explain.
Driving a vehicle with defective tires significantly increases the risk of traffic accidents that can result in serious injuries and property damage. That is why it is essential to educate yourself with the reasons why tires fail, dangers of defective tires, and how to know whether your tires are in pristine condition.
The Most Common Tire Defects
Tire blowouts and failures cause over 8,000 auto accidents every year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Tire failures can be especially dangerous when they occur at high speeds, putting drivers at an elevated risk of vehicle rollovers and serious wrecks. Depending on the road conditions and the amount of usage of tires, here are some common tire defects that you should look out for before turning on the ignition:
- Belt and ply losses
- Damaged belts or cords
- Delamination
- Detreading
- Inadequate adhesion causing failure
- Sidewall failure
- Sudden loss of pressure
- Tread and belt separation
Other reasons leading to tire blowouts and failures include:
- Extreme cold or hot temperatures
- Loss of tire elasticity
- Overloading the vehicle
- The inner liner is punctured
- Under-inflation
- Improper tire repairs, such as plugs with no patches, patches with no plugs, and incorrect location of plug or patch.
How to Know if Your Tires Are in Bad Condition
It is essential to know how to recognize and diagnose potential tire problems to ensure your safety. In some cases, defects are evident, while in others, an expert eye of a mechanic is required to find and repair internal problems. Here are some potential signs to look out for when checking for bad or defective tires:
- Bulges or blisters on the tire
- Improper tire air pressure
- Lack of traction
- Rapid deflation for no apparent reason
- Splits or cracks in the sidewall
- Tire rim flange markings
- Uneven tread depth wear
- Unusual tire vibration
The Devastating Consequences of Defective Tires
Tire separation, bulges, sidewall damage or any other fault in a vehicle’s tires, can result in catastrophic injuries to the driver, the vehicle’s passengers, and others on the road, including:
- Your vehicle may crash into high barriers, resulting in a high-impact collision due to high speed.
- You may lose control of your vehicle and end up in a rollover accident.
- Your vehicle may uncontrollably switch lanes and crash into other vehicles.
- Your vehicle may uncontrollably steer to the side of a cliff, or a bridge, and fall off.
This is just a partial list of possibilities of what can happen if your vehicle’s tires are faulty. It is best that you refrain from purchasing cheap and substandard tires, and get your vehicle checked by an expert mechanic to ensure they are in proper condition.