Tragic Blowout Accident Serves as Important Reminder of Vehicle Safety Issues
A recent fatal two-vehicle tire blowout accident serves as a tragic reminder of the danger of tires that are defective or not properly maintained. The accident occurred on I-20 when a passenger vehicle suffered a blowout of the rear right tire causing the vehicle to collide with an SUV.
The driver of the SUV was ejected from the vehicle and died from his injuries. Although no charges have been filed and the accident is still under investigation, there are some important lessons to be drawn from the accident that may prevent future accidents.
Accidents caused by tire blowouts are extremely dangerous because the driver will often lose control of the vehicle. It is common in this type of accident that the vehicle will go off the roadway and may roll which can result in the vehicle occupant being ejected or suffering roof crush injuries. Sometimes tires blowout because the tires are defective. Radial tires may be defective when the bond between the steel belts and the tread is defective. This manufacturing defect can result in the tread separating from the rest of the tire and cause a blowout.
Even when tires are not defective, it is important to check the tread and air pressure regularly. Bald tires or tires that have been driven for a prolonged period with low tire pressure are extremely dangerous. Because tire blowouts can cause very serious collisions resulting in devastating injuries including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations or severe bone fractures, drivers should regularly check both their tire pressure and the condition of wear on the tire tread. While some vehicle maintenance issues may be postponed for convenience or cost reasons, tire maintenance should not be one of those issues.
The other important safety issue that is made apparent by this accident is the vital role of seatbelts. The vehicle occupant who was fatally injured was in the heavier vehicle but because he was not wearing a seatbelt he was ejected from the vehicle. It is never worth the risk not to buckle up because the consequences if you are in an Atlanta traffic accident can be devastating both for you and your family. We have been representing motor vehicle accident victims since 1984 so we have investigated many auto accidents on behalf of our clients. Our compassionate and dedicated team of Atlanta car accident attorneys is saddened when we see the loss of life in an accident that could have been avoided by taking simple safety precautions. We urge all Georgia drivers to pay attention to basic maintenance issues like tire and brake maintenance and to buckle up.
If you or someone close to you is injured in a car accident, Montlick and Associates provides legal representation based on our dedication to seeking the best possible outcome for our client. Our experienced Atlanta car accident lawyers are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.