You should take time to check your car, especially the tires since fall is quickly approaching and the temperatures gradually drop.
Tire pressure can be affected by cold temperatures. Tire pressure can decline by one to two pounds per square inch for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit (PSI). The higher you are above sea level, the less pressure there is.
The significance of tire pressure
The tremendous weight of the vehicle is supported by the air pressure inside the tires, not the tires themselves.
When you keep your tire pressure at the proper level, your traction on slick roads will be excellent, and your tire life will be prolonged. Additionally, your car will handle better, have higher gas mileage, and brake faster.
There are many people who don’t know what to do after a car accident or what legislation they need to follow. Therefore, it is best to consult an attorney. Click here to learn more!
Lawyers Representing People Injured in Automobile Accidents That Were Caused by Damaged Tires in the State of Georgia
The legislation in Georgia mandates that all automobiles that are driven on Georgia roads must have tyres that are in satisfactory condition. According to Georgia law, if your tyres are worn down or damaged in any way, you have broken the law and committed an offence related to motor vehicles. This is because your actions create hazardous circumstances for the other drivers on the road.
It is possible for a balding tyre to blow up if it wears down at an inopportune time. It’s possible that the quick loss of air pressure in the damaged tyre would cause the automobile to jerk violently in all directions. The rapid lack of air might lead the driver to lose control of the car, which could then result in a catastrophic accident that can inflict significant injuries or even death to the innocent victims of the other vehicles that were involved in the collision. Even with enough tread, tyres with low air pressure make it impossible to drive the car safely.
You and your family may be eligible for significant financial compensation if you or a member of your family was seriously hurt or if you tragically lost a loved one in a car accident that happened because the driver of the vehicle that caused the accident disregarded basic tyre maintenance. The attorneys who represent clients in cases involving automobile accidents caused by tyre failure vigorously pursue damages on their client’s behalf. These damages can include reimbursement for medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and, in certain cases, punitive penalties.
An Overview of the Law Regarding Automobile Accidents in Georgia
The legal idea of carelessness underpins Georgia’s laws pertaining to automobile collisions. Carelessness is another term that may be used to refer to negligence. It is necessary to have a predetermined code of behaviour in place before one can be accused of being careless. In order to be awarded damages in the state of Georgia, a claimant, also known as a plaintiff, is required to establish all four components of negligence. The following are the four components of carelessness in the state of Georgia:
- An obligation under law
- Because the defendant did not fulfil their responsibility by using reasonable care, the defendant “breached” the obligation.
- The plaintiff was injured due to the defendant’s breach of duty, and there is a legal relationship between the defendant’s violation of duty and the plaintiff’s injuries.
- The plaintiff was injured as a direct consequence of the defendant’s breach of the duty of care, and as a result, the plaintiff was awarded damages.
A violation of the duty of care caused by improper tyre maintenance
Not only is it common sense to keep one’s tyres in good shape while driving, but Georgia law also makes it illegal. Georgia Code 40-8-74 lays forth the standard of care and places the burden of duty on the operator of a vehicle to ensure that the tyres are in good condition and have a tread depth that is at least 2/32 inches deep at the very least. It is required that the tread height on commercial vehicles and buses be 4/34 of an inch. In addition, the law prohibits cutting, damaging, or separating tyres from their rims in any way.
Before starting a vehicle, the driver is responsible for inspecting the tyres to ensure that they have received the appropriate level of maintenance. A necessary part of routine tyre maintenance is ensuring that the tyres are inflated to the proper pressure. The number of accidents caused by tyres is roughly 11,000 annually, and they are responsible for approximately 200 deaths annually. When the tyres do not have the appropriate air pressure, they become “soft,” which reduces the vehicle’s responsiveness and handling ability.
Tips for Checking and Correcting Tire Pressure
Maintaining the proper pressure level is crucial when your tires’ inflation reduces due to the cold weather.
- Consult the owner’s manual. Consult the owner’s vehicle manual if you are unsure about the ideal tire pressure. It will state the bare minimum tire pressure needed for the car.
- To measure pressure, use a gauge. The majority of car parts stores sell portable tire pressure gauges. You can check your tires before or after filling up the tank by using the free air compressor facilities that some gas stations provide.
- Check when the weather is cool. Checking the tire pressure in the morning or after several hours of inactivity will yield better results.
- Be sure to inflate the tire properly. Affix the gauge to the open valve stem. Once you hear air escaping, continue pressing down. How many will the gauge display PSI in the tire? Activate the valve to release some air if the pressure is too high. If the pressure is low, connect the air compressor’s nozzle to the tire valve and fill the tire with air until the range of pressures suggested is reached.
Take the car to a tyre or auto shop for tyre inflation service if you’re unsure how to do it yourself and need help. Numerous businesses will check and re-inflate your tyres for nothing or at a minimal cost.