Tire Blowout Injures Seven in Pennsylvania Car Accident

A two-vehicle crash last week on the Northeast Extension of the turnpike in Moosic, PA, resulted in injuries to seven people and left traffic tied up for more than an hour. A woman was driving in the left northbound lane of Interstate 476 near mile marker 119, when the car’s rear driver’s side tire blew out, according to news reports.

The driver lost control of the vehicle and it traveled into the right lane where it struck the rear of a minivan carrying seven occupants. The minivan rolled onto the passenger side and came to rest on a concrete barrier.  Police cited tire failure as the cause of the accident, and no charges were filed in the accident.

TireSafety.com, a website dedicated to educating the public about proper tire maintenance sponsored by Bridgestone, reports that under inflation is the leading cause of tire failure. Sometimes, however, tires are defective and a blowout cannot be prevented even with proper maintenance.  Structural defects in tires can cause a tire to fail leading to serious accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that about 400 fatalities annually may have been attributed to tire failures.  The NHTSA tracks information related to tire defects on its website.  To find out if your tires have been recalled for a defect, visit safercar.gov.

The NHTSA this month released its 2012 Consumer Guide to Uniform Tire Quality Grading.  The report analyzes and rates tires according to traction, temperature and wear grades.  Our Pennsylvania car accident attorneys encourage all car owners to review this information prior to buying new tires for your vehicle.

There are steps you can take to protect you and your passengers from tire failure.  It is critical to follow proper tire maintenance guidelines so your tires will wear evenly and prevent premature wear and tear.

Bridgestone suggests the following three steps for proper tire maintenance:

• Inflate.  Check your tire pressure monthly.
• Rotate. Rotate tires every 5,000 miles.
• Evaluate. Routinely look for signs of tread wear or damage.

If you have been the victim of a car accident caused by a defective tire, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact a knowledgeable product liability attorney to understand your legal rights.

About Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C.

Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C., is a Pennsylvania accident and injury law firm that represents car accident victims and their families throughout the state of Pennsylvania and the Northeast, including those injured in accidents that involve speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, fatigued driving, aggressive driving and careless driving in hazardous weather conditions. The Pennsylvania personal injury law firm’s additional practice areas include trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, toxic chemicals, workplace injuries, nursing home litigation and other serious accidents.

Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C., has offices throughout Pennsylvania, including Scranton, Stroudsburg, Carbondale, Plains, Hazleton and Hamlin. To contact the law firm, call (800) 318-LAW1 or use the firm’s online contact form.