Car accidents involving tire blowouts was about 5.9 percent in 2002, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. When these tire failures took place on highways or interstates, rear-tire failures took place four times as often as for front tires. Vans were more likely to experience a catastrophic blowout and subsequent car accident than were other types of vehicles. Van tire blowouts took place at a rate of 22 percent. For trucks, this percentage drops to 2.5 percent. Two situations contribute to rear-tire failures, including the poor condition of tires on the backs of vehicles involved in car accidents. It is easier to maintain control of a vehicle that has just experienced a blown-out tire if that vehicle is a four-wheel drive rather than a two-wheel drive.
When your vehicle tire fails and blows out on the freeway, you are more likely to be buckled into your seat because of federal laws on safety belt use. At the moment your vehicle loses control and either hits an immovable object or rolls over, your body is subjected to strong momentum, which can lead to serious injuries as a result of your vehicle’s movement and the safety belt holding you in the vehicle.
In addition to broken bones and internal injuries, passengers can suffer severe cuts after their vehicle becomes involved in a car accident resulting from a tire blowout. When a side window or windshield breaks, some of the cuts can require stitches.
Make it a regular practice to inspect your tires on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Look for an irregular sidewall, checking for dents, bumps or weakened areas on the tires. Check for dry rot, which looks like tiny cracks in the sidewall area of your tires. Any weakened areas, no matter how small, can increase the risk of a flat, a blowout or a car accident.
Check the pressure of your tires, using a tire gauge so you can avoid an unneeded car accident. Know what the ideal tire pressure is for your tires and vehicle. If your tire pressure is low, visit a service station and add air to your tires, then check the pressure once again to ensure it is correct in all four tires.
If you have no choice but to drive through a construction zone, inspect each tire closely, looking for any nails protruding from the sidewall or treads. If you spot a nail, your next stop should be a tire store for tire repair and prevention of a car accident.