According to the National Traffic Safety and Highway Safety Administration, everything rides on tire safety. Studies show that if you are able to maintain proper tire pressure and observe tires and vehicle load lifts then you may be able to protect yourself from tragic and dangerous accidents.
The NHTSA believes that it is important to maintain your tires on your vehicle in order to avoid the danger of collision. If you rent a car and the tires are not maintained, or if you are injured in a commercial vehicle that is involved in an accident because poor tire maintenance, then you may have the right to seek compensation from a party at-fault.
When it comes to your own car, you can practice basic tire maintenance to reduce your chances of an accident. Properly maintained tires can increase your safety when it comes to steering, stopping, traction, and the load-carrying capability of your vehicle. As well, tires that are underinflated and overinflated often facilitate horrible accidents.
Somewhere on your vehicle there are probably placards and vehicle certification labels which talk about the recommended tire size for your car, the recommended tire inflation pressure, the vehicle capacity weight, and the rear and from gross axle weight ratings. All of these bits of information are on a placard that is often attached the vehicle door edge, the door post in a car, the glove box door, or the upper inside of the trunk lid. Make sure that you locate this placard and note the information provided on it.
It is important to note that a vehicle manufacturer determines what the proper amount of pressure in a tire should be. If you listen to the tire manufacturer instead you may end up with over inflated tires and eventually become involved in a serious accident. You will want to check your tires' pressure about once a month to make sure that the tires are in proper, working condition, You can purchase a tire pressure gauge and make sure that you haven't driven your car for at least three years when you measure. This is because when a car has just been driven, the tires will naturally have a higher air pressure.
In addition to checking tire pressure, it is important that you make sure your tires are the right size for your vehicle. If you are outfitted with poorly fitting tires on your car, it will heighten your potential for an accident. Also, make sure that the tire tread provides the gripping action that you will need on your car when the roads are wet or icy. If your tires are worn down to 1/16 of an inch, the NHTSA recommends that you get them replaced. If you are sold faulty tires or dangerous tires then you can probably sue your tire supplier in the event of an accident.
Also, you should make sure that the tire balance and wheel alignment in your car is correct. If it is now, there will be vibration and shaking of the vehicle when the tire rotates. Make sure that your rotating tires are correct. You will want to make sure that all four tires are in line to avoid steering incidents that can cause accidents. Also, if your tires are punctured, don't hesitate to get them repaired promptly.
Maintaining your tires can be a matter of life and death in some circumstances. If you are injured in an accident where the tires were not properly maintained and you believe that another individual is to blame, then you need to contact a local car accident attorney to discuss you case today. In some circumstances you may have the right to seek compensation because of another's mistake.