When a Tire Blowout Causes an Accident

May 8, 2024

Video Transcript:

A tire blowout could send your car spiraling out of control and endanger lives if corrective measures are not taken. Hi, I’m speaking on behalf of Hensley Legal Group, a personal injury law firm based out of Indiana. I’d like to discuss what you should do when a tire blowout causes an accident. A tire blowout is an explosive loss of air pressure. Multiple factors could cause a tire blowout, including under- and overinflation, excessive heat and weight, using the wrong tires, tire age, tire defects, uneven treads, speeding, improper braking, vehicular malfunctions, and road hazards. How you react to a tire blowout could determine whether you will have to cope with minor property damage or major injuries. If you experience a tire blowout: Stay calm. Losing control of your emotions could make you lose control of your vehicle. Do not slam on the brakes, which could cause your wheels to lock up. Instead, you should… Slow down gently by carefully removing your foot from the accelerator. Turn on your emergency lights. Other drivers need to be warned that you are experiencing a crisis so that they can exercise caution as they approach you. Prepare to get off the road. Begin by steering your car towards the shoulder, then pull over when it is safe to do so. Once you have come to a complete stop in an area where you can move freely, you can now deal with the blown-out tire. If you know how to change a tire and have a jack and a spare handy, go ahead and replace the damaged tire with the spare. Keep in mind that this is only a temporary fix meant to tide you over until you can purchase a new tire. You should not drive on a spare tire for more than 50 to 70 miles, nor should spare tires be driven faster than 50 miles per hour, since they have limited traction and durability. If you don’t have a spare tire, or if you don’t feel comfortable changing one on your own, call a towing company and have your car taken to the nearest garage for servicing. A tire blowout can be genuinely frustrating, the kind of annoying setback that can ruin your day. But if you can manage to keep your wits about you, no tire blowout ever needs to ruin your life. If you found this video helpful, please hit the “like” and “subscribe” buttons. And if you have been injured by a tire blowout, reach out to Hensley Legal Group, where we have been fighting on behalf of honest Hoosiers for over 25 years.