Tire blowouts can cause serious loss-of-control accidents.
Tire Blowout Causes Vehicle to Crash into Apartment Complex Office
According to a KSAT News report, a driver lost control of their vehicle and crashed after their tire blew out late last night.
Police reported the incident occurred on the 2100 block of Northeast Loop 410, not far from Northeast Baptist Hospital, at around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday night. A man was driving on the access road of Loop 410 when his tire blew, causing him to lose control of his vehicle. He crashed into the office of the Merida Apartment Homes but was fortunately not injured. Firefighters secured the building but did not specify the extent of the damage. No one was injured in the accident.
Did You Know?
Tire failure contributed to 600 traffic fatalities in 2020.
Tire Blowout Accidents in San Antonio: Avoiding Them and What to Do If They Happen
Tire blowouts are more common than you think — the NHTSA estimates they contribute to nearly 33,000 accidents per year. It’s easy to lose control of your car if your tire blows (especially at high speeds), leaving you at risk for rollover accidents, vehicle ejection, and crashing into other cars or structures.
Here’s how to avoid a blowout and what to do if your tire does blow out to minimize the impact.
How to Avoid a Tire Blowout in San Antonio
The No. 1 reason for tire blowouts nationwide is the lack of proper maintenance. Make sure you aren’t ignoring that tire pressure warning, replace tires with worn-out tread, and register your tires with the manufacturer to receive notices if your tires are recalled.
It’s also important to choose the right tire for the conditions in San Antonio. San Antonio experiences hot summers, rain, and mild winters, making all-season tires a good choice.
Check out the NHTSA’s resource on tires to discover how tires are rated.
Tire maintenance isn’t the only cause of tire blowouts. Other causes of blowouts include:
- Poorly Maintained Roads
- Construction Debris
- Defective Tires
- Overloaded Trucks
If one of these reasons contributed to your accident, negligence may be involved. Reach out to schedule a case evaluation with one of our auto accident attorneys to find out at 800-862-1260.
How to Drive Through a Blowout — 3 Easy Steps
Even if you do everything in your power to avoid it, your tire may still blow out. Follow these steps to minimize the damage:
- DON’T SLAM THE BRAKES! — Give yourself a little extra acceleration to overcome the friction of the blowout. Steer in the direction of the skid GENTLY to avoid your tires locking up.
- Regain Control — Gently begin straightening out and slowing down by lightly pumping the brakes.
- Pull of the Road — As soon as it is safe, pull into the shoulder or into a parking lot and come to a complete stop. If you’re on the highway, wait until your vehicle has come to a stop before turning on your hazards unless you can do it without distracting yourself from the road.
Learning these 3 easy steps can help you remain calm in a critical moment when panicking could cause you a serious injury.
Injured in a Tire Blowout Accident? Call Carabin Shaw.
At Carabin Shaw, we understand how serious a tire blowout accident in San Antonio can be.
Our firm has 30 years of experience representing people who were injured in accidents that weren’t their fault. Talk to the team that puts their clients first about your auto accident at 800-862-1260 or use the live chat to get started. We look forward to serving you.
Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and does not obligate you to work with our firm.