Are your old tires placing you at risk?

Do you have any Florida friends who live by the clockwork of their own house and vehicle maintenance routines? You know the type who has lists for everything with all projects, chores and upgrades scheduled on a calendar. For instance, there might be a date each Autumn when your friend takes down all the blinds in the house to give them a thorough cleaning, or, once a year, the ladder is brought out of the garage so all outside windows can be washed, even the high ones.

Some things don’t get done by the month or annually, but are kept on a rotating schedule every five or more years. Buying new appliances or car tires often falls into this category. Speaking of car tires, there are so many varieties and choices when it comes to getting new ones, it’s enough to make your head spin, isn’t it? As overwhelming as it can be, it’s an important task because tires have a lot to do with safety on the road.

Do you need different tires or just new ones?

It can be a little tricky determining whether the brand of tire you currently have on your vehicle is the problem, or whether you simply need an upgrade of the same rubber. Thinking back to how your current tires performed when they were new, and considering several other factors, such as the following, may help you make informed decisions:

• Performance: If you’ve been satisfied with your tires until they got old, you might just choose more of the same, rather than take a chance of becoming dissatisfied with a new brand.

• Price: Some say you get what you pay for, while others are out for a bargain. If finances are strained, you’ll probably want to haggle to get the most for your money. If you’ve got the funds set aside, it might be possible to go with a higher-end product.

• Treads: Low treads often result in poor friction, which leads to cars that slide all over the road in wet conditions. However, if your tires used to do okay, it might just mean that they’ve been on your car so long the treads have worn too far down.

• Age: Every tire has a “birth” date. Learning how to read the number series listed on the sidewall of a tire is a valuable skill that allows you to determine the actual age of a tire.

Whether you drive a minivan or high performance sports car, tires are obviously an integral and key component of vehicle maintenance. If you neglect your tires, you could be at risk for an accident.

What if the other guy’s tire is the problem?

Even if you keep your tires and vehicle in their best working conditions, there’s nothing you can do about the other drivers sharing the road. If another motorist is driving around with bald tires far too old to pass inspection, one of them could blow at any time, causing an accident that results in your injury. Of course, tires aren’t the only risk factor where other drivers are concerned. Any type of negligence may lead to a collision.

If you suffered injuries in a car accident and believe another party or parties has in some way caused the incident, you have every right to seek justice in court. A driver who was traveling in a vehicle that would fail a proper inspection (which might be the case if a bald tire was the problem) or otherwise breaking the law may wind up being charged with a crime. However, you may file a separate claim in a civil court to request compensation for damages you have suffered.