How Many Car Accidents Are Caused by Old Tires Each Year?

Replacing the tires on a vehicle is one of the most important parts of maintaining a vehicle. When a motorist fails to perform regular maintenance on the tires of their vehicle, there is an increased risk that the old tires could be the cause of a serious accident. Old tires are often the cause of a variety of car accidents. When a car accident occurs due to old tires on a vehicle, the victim of the crash may be able to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver that failed to maintain their vehicle. This article will discuss how many car accidents happen every year due to old tires.

Statistics for Car Accidents Caused by Old Tires Each Year

Many motorists underestimate the importance of good tires on a vehicle. In the United States, about 3 billion miles are traveled every year by motorists. However, according to the Rubber Manufacturer’s Association, about 70% of vehicles on the road have a tire that is underinflated, which is a severe hazard for car accidents. That is why it is important for a driver to consistently check their tire pressure.

Every year, approximately 11,000 car accidents occur because of old tires or other issues that are caused by using an old tire on a vehicle. Out of these roughly 11,000 car accidents, about 200 people die in car accidents caused by old tires. The following statistics should also relevant when discussing car accidents caused by old tires:

• Less than 50% of vehicle owners are able to tell when their tire tread has worn down
• About 65% of drivers do not check the integrity of a spare tire
• Approximately 80% of motorists are unsure how to gauge their tire pressure

These statistics should highlight the importance of regularly changing tires on a vehicle, especially after the tires have been used for several seasons. While it is true that premium tires could last a significant amount of time, some drivers falsely believe that tires are made to

How Old Tires Could Cause Car Accidents

There are various types of accidents that may occur due to old tires. Many of these accidents could be avoided if a driver paid attention to the condition of their tires. As a result, some motorists could be the subject of an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit due to just one old tire on a vehicle.

The following is a list of common types of car accidents that may occur due to an old car tire.

1. Tire Blowouts

A tire blowout is when the tire tread or the tire sidewall bursts and detaches from the frame of the tire. Motorists are often never prepared for a tire blowout. As a result, the motorist may panic and suddenly step on the brakes, which could cause the vehicle to swerve or possibly flip over.

Tire blowouts often happen because a tire was underinflated or overinflated. Underinflation or overinflation could result in a tire exploding when the driver simply clips a pothole or accelerates to a high speed.

2. Fires

Another reason to check your tire pressure frequently is that an underinflated tire could be the cause of a dangerous fire. When tire pressure is low, the tread of the tire could make contact with the steel belt while driving. This build of heat and friction could cause a spark that may cause the tire and the vehicle to catch fire.

3. Poor Traction

Poor traction is another reason why you should seek to replace old tires as soon as possible. Once a tire has been used for years, the tire tread that grips the vehicle to the road will become too smooth to drive safely. As a result, it could become easier for a driver to lose control of the vehicle due to adverse weather that may cause hydroplaning, which could cause a driver to veer from their lane and cause a severe car accident.

Poor tire tread could also cause a driver to have issues with braking. As a result, if a change in traffic requires the driver to brake quickly, the lack of tire tread could result in a rear-end car accident.

There are other types of car accidents that may occur due to old tires. This is why you should learn how to notice when your tires have become worn out and require a replacement.

Tips to Prevent Car Accidents Due to Old Tires

“Maintaining tire quality and integrity is necessary to avoid a serious car accident,” say Jeffrey Reiff, a personal injury lawyer in Philadelphia. “There are many steps that a person could take to decrease the likelihood of a car accident occurring due to an old tire.”

1. Perform Regular Maintenance

As a vehicle owner, you should be sure to perform regular maintenance on the tires of your car. For example, tire rotations and wheel alignments should be a part of your vehicle maintenance checklist every few months, depending on how often you travel.

2. Replace Your Old Tires

You should also be sure to replace your old tires roughly every four years or after traveling 60,000 miles. Additionally, if you do not use your car frequently, you should also be wary of your tire developing flat spots. Flat spots are likely to develop during winter and could affect tire traction on your vehicle.

3. Be Aware of Tire Recalls

Tire recalls happen more frequently than you might believe. If you receive notice of a tire recall for the brand of tire that you use on your vehicle, you should stop driving your vehicle until you can replace the tires completely.