Each year, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that faulty tires are responsible for nearly 8,000 motor vehicle accidents. The NHTSA also reports that blown out tires make up the majority of the debris found on the side of roadways. With these figures in mind, it is important to maintain your vehicle by making sure that your tires are properly inflated and have the proper tread depth.

Tire Maintenance

Proper tire maintenance can make your car easier to maneuver, increase your fuel economy, make your vehicle more comfortable to ride in, make it easier to stop, and might prevent an accident from occurring.

If your tires are underinflated then too much of the tire's surface will touch the road. This causes more friction and makes your tires dangerous and susceptible to a blowout. If one of your tires blows out, there is an increased risk that another one will blow out as well, putting your safety and the safety of others at risk.

Overinflated tires reduce the amount of traction that you will have on the road and can make your car more difficult to maneuver or stop. When your tires have too much wear on them, it makes maneuvering your car significantly harder, which might cause your car to slide into objects, vehicles, or pedestrians.

Accident Prevention

You can reduce your risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident caused by faulty or defective tires, by making sure that the tires on your vehicle are properly inflated at all times. In general, the amount of air that you should be in a tire is usually listed on the side of the tire, inside your glove compartment, in your owner's manual, or in the area between your front door and the body of the car.

You can check your tire pressure by using the air pump at your local service station, these devices often have air pressure gauges built right into them. You should also check the sides of the tires to make sure there is no abnormal wear or bulges. Lastly, check the tire surface to see that there are no nails, tacks or other sharp objects embedded in them before you start driving.

Check your tires at least once a month and more frequently if you are having any types of problems, drive on pot-hole filled roads, are going on a long trip, or notice any other abnormalities. You can check the tire tread by simply placing a penny inside the grooves of the tire. If you can see any part of Abraham Lincoln's head, it means you will need new tires.

Your tires should be checked as part of your regular maintenance for your motor vehicle. This can be done when you have the oil changed or other services performed on your vehicle. Make sure that your motor vehicle is roadworthy before your next drive so that you can reduce the risk of being involved in an accident.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a motor vehicle accident, it is very important to contact an experienced Connecticut personal injury lawyer. Our Connecticut accident attorneys will be happy to provide you with free books, answer your questions over the phone, or meet with you in person to advise you about what you should and should not be doing.

Get this valuable free information today before you make a mistake by attempting to handle your accident case on your own. Contact our Ridgefield car accident attorneys to schedule your free consultation today.