Bad Tires on Your Car Can Lead to Big Problems on the Road

You probably don’t think about your feet all that much until they hurt, and you probably don’t give your car’s tires a lot of thought until you get a flat. But driving on old and worn tires, even if your ride feels fine, can significantly increase your chances of a car accident or serious injury.

If your tire treads are worn, you aren’t alone. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study found that almost 50 percent of the 11,500 cars and other vehicles they checked had at least one tire with half-worn tread while another 10 percent had at least one bald tire.

Tires in bad shape because of worn treads can lead to hydroplaning on wet roads, difficulty braking in wet-weather and a greater likelihood of skidding on snowy or icy roads.

It is easy to determine whether you may be in the market for new tires. Here are four things to look for:

• Lincoln’s Head. The depth of your tires’ treads should never get below 1/16^th of an inch. You can measure tire depth using a penny. Put the penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head first. If you can still see all of Abe’s head, your treads are too shallow and you should be looking to replace that tire.
• Check the sidewalls of your tires for cracks or gouges.
• Bad Vibes. While there is always a little vibration when you’re driving, excessive vibration can be a sign of a tire problem.
• Pressure Drop. If the air pressure on a tire goes down frequently, that can be a sign of a slow leak.

As a car accident attorney, I know how awful the aftermath of a serious collision can be. While we may not be able to prevent others from driving recklessly or foolishly, we can take some basic steps like making sure our tires are in good shape that can reduce our risk of accidents and injuries.

If you have been injured in a car accident, please call The Parian Law Firm at (770) 727-5550 or chat live online with a member of our staff today. We can discuss your situation, evaluate your potential claim, and advise you of your options.