Staying Safe from Tire-Related Crashes

Between bad driving, unreliable roads, and just plain carelessness, there are a lot of factors that can go wrong when you hit the road. 

But sometimes, accidents are the result of a less familiar factor: your tires. Tire-related accidents are far more common than most people realize—vehicle tire issues were the culprit in 738 accidents in 2017, or about two accidents per day. 

Fortunately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a tool that will help you drive safe, even if your tire knowledge falls flat. 

What Causes Tire-Related Crashes? 

The NHSTA released a study of tire-related pre-crash factors derived from the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey (NMVCCS), a sample of 5,470 crashes representing more than 2 million crashes at the national level. 

The study examined: 

• Tire damage
• Tire pressure
• Tire tread depth
• Vehicle rollover
• Recent vehicle experience
• Driver experience
• Road-related factors

Of the vehicles surveyed, 5% experienced crashes due to tire-related issues, with passenger vehicles like cars accounting for 66% of those crashes. 

With prior tire damages, vehicles were far more likely than chance to have tire-related safety problems. The same thing happens if a tire is overinflated by more than 25% the recommended tire pressure. 

Worse, one in three Americans can’t tell if their tires are bald, and 60% of Americans don’t know how to change a flat tire. 

Being TireWise with the NHSTA Tool

This is why the NHSTA developed TireWise, a tool to help drivers like you stay safe even if you’re Tin Lizzie levels of car savvy. 

Because most Americans don’t know how to check their tires, what makes good tires, or how to deal with tires (old or new) TireWise is designed to guide drivers like you through almost any situation. For example, you can refer to the Tire Buyers’ FAQ to know what to ask every time you purchase new tires, and the Congratulations on Your New Tires flyer for a complete guide to dealing with brand new tires. 

You can also find a comprehensive guide to dealing with various tire problems identified by the NHSTA study as points of concern for crashes, including: 

• Tire pressure
• Tire size
• Tire tread
• Tire balance and alignment
• Tire rotation

Even the most basic maintenance tasks can help your family save money (and keep your family safe). Proper tire inflation can save you up to 11 cents per gallon on fuel and extend the life of your tires by up to 4,700 miles. 

Helping Your Family Recover After an Accident

Using these tools can help keep your family safe before you ever hit the road. Unfortunately, you can’t account for other people’s carelessness, and sometimes, that puts you and your loved ones in a horrible situation. 

If you were caught in a tire-related crash due to someone else’s negligence, the auto accident attorneys at Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys are here to fight for you. We’ve won millions all across the country for accident victims because we know the value of putting in hard work and treating our clients with the respect we would give our own loved ones. Because when your family is going through a difficult time, you don’t need a quick fix—you need someone who cares. 

If you need to speak with an attorney about your options, click here to schedule your free consultation.