When you keep your car in good condition, you reap many benefits. One of these is a longer life for your vehicle. Another is a safer vehicle for yourself, your passengers, and others on the roadway.
Your tires are your vehicle’s point of contact with the roadway. When your tires are in poor condition, you are more likely to be involved in a collision and potentially suffer an injury. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you could still be able to pursue compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim, but it is far preferable to prevent an accident than it is to suffer one and seek compensation for your damages afterward.
Bald Tires Cannot Sufficiently Grip the Road Surface
Tires have treads to provide traction. Just like cleats provide traction for soccer players and grip tape keeps skateboarders on their boards, your tires’ treads keep your car safely gripping the roadway.
Tread wears down over time, eventually being worn down completely and rendering the tire “bald.” Bald tires can easily slip and skid into other vehicles and stationary objects, so keep a close eye on your treads and replace your tires when they become too low. A good way to gauge your tires’ treads is the penny test.
Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated to Keep Yourself and Others Safe
Keeping your tires inflated to their manufacturer’s recommended pressure will not only extend their life, but keep you safe. Overinflated tires do not respond as well to braking, which can mean losing control of your vehicle when you take a sharp corner quickly. An overinflated tire also wears more quickly than an optimally inflated one, which will make your tires bald, and thus less capable of safely gripping the asphalt, more quickly.
Underinflated tires can be dangerous, as well. When a tire is not inflated enough, more of the tire’s surface comes into contact with the road, creating friction. The friction causes the rubber to become hot, potentially putting the driver at risk of experiencing a tire blowout. This can also separate the tread and wear down the tires prematurely.
Rotate Your Tires Regularly
Tires wear unevenly when they remain in one position, which ultimately shortens their lives. Follow your vehicle’s manufacturer’s guidelines for rotating and replacing the tires. When your tires are rotated, they are moved into different positions on the vehicle so they wear more evenly, which will keep them responsive and safe.
Work with an Experienced Lawyer
You can make routine maintenance for safety a top priority for yourself, but you cannot make other drivers take the same amount of care. If you are injured in a collision with another vehicle, you can seek compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. Contact our team of experienced personal injury lawyers at Moen Sheehan Meyer, Ltd. today to set up your initial consultation in our office.