Tire Blowouts on Highways

Driving on a highway can be scary enough with crazy drivers at high speeds. Nothing can be worse than experiencing a tire blowout while on the highway.

A sudden blowout can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Your goals are to stay safe and get back on the road as quickly as possible. Here’s what you need to know.

Causes of Tire Blowouts

Tire blowouts are often caused by:

• Low tire pressure. Underinflated tires flex more, causing sidewall contact with the road. This wears out the thinner sidewalls quickly, often leading to blowouts.
• Road hazards. Potholes, curbs, or debris like glass and metal can puncture or damage already weakened tires, causing flats or sudden blowouts.
• Uneven tread wear. Skipping tire rotations leads to uneven tread, thinning some areas faster. Exposed steel belts are a major blowout risk.
• Exceeding your vehicle’s weight limit puts excess stress on tires, especially if they’re unevenly worn.

What You Need to Do

After a tire blowout, your vehicle will quickly slow down and pull to the right or left. Stay in control by following these steps:

• Stay calm. A tire blowout can be sudden and frightening, especially at high speeds. But panic can make the situation worse. Stay composed and focus on keeping control of the vehicle. Keeping a level head helps you react deliberately and avoid overcorrecting.
• Don’t step on the brake. Your instinct might be to slam on the brakes but doing so can cause the wheels to lock up, making it more likely you’ll skid or spin out. Sudden braking shifts your vehicle’s weight unevenly, which is especially dangerous if the blown tire is in the front.
• Slightly accelerate and steer straight. It may sound counterintuitive, but a light tap on the gas can help stabilize your car after a blowout. Keep the steering wheel as steady as possible, as sudden movements can worsen the instability. Once the car feels stable, gently lift your foot off the gas.
• Turn on your emergency lights. Hazard lights alert other drivers that something is wrong and that you’re slowing down. This is especially important on highways or in low-visibility conditions, where a disabled vehicle could be hit from behind.
• Move to the right and pull over. Once your speed decreases and you have control, begin steering toward the right shoulder. Pull off as far as you can to create a safe space away from traffic.
• Change the tire. If you know how to change a tire and it’s safe, go ahead. However, if you’re on a narrow shoulder, it’s dark, or traffic is too close, call for roadside assistance. Safety should always be the priority.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer 

Tire blowouts while driving are never a fun situation, especially when driving on a highway. You need to act quickly to avoid a serious accident.

If a tire blowout caused a crash, contact a Houston highway accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC to see how we can assist you. We’ll guide you through the process so you can get the compensation you deserve and move forward. To schedule a consultation, call (281) 347-3247 or fill out the online form.

Source:

allstate.com/resources/car-insurance/tire-blowouts