When you have a tire blowout while driving, it can be an incredibly frightening experience. Even at relatively low speeds, the sudden noise and sensation of a flat or blown tire can result in panic, which leads to confusion about how to respond safely.
Knowing what steps to take if you find yourself with a blown tire is the key to avoiding a serious car accident and staying safe. In this blog post, we’ll look at what drivers should do when they hear that dreaded "pop" from their tires and provide simple safety tips for dealing with the situation quickly and effectively.
Tips for What to Do if You Have a Tire Blowout While Driving
If you’re involved in a tire blowout accident, it can be very overwhelming. The following are tips describing what you should do if you’re in a tire blowout accident:
- Stay Calm – It's important to remain calm and take a few deep breaths to avoid making things worse. When a tire blowout occurs, it is critical to remain calm to prevent further accidents. Taking deep breaths can be very beneficial in preventing panic and allowing for clear decision-making. Slowing down and steering the car to the side of the road will help you maintain control of your vehicle and reduce the risk of causing a crash due to loss of control of the vehicle. The best practice would be to pull off at the nearest exit and wait until it is safe to change or repair your tire.
- Safely Pull Over – Find a safe place to pull over and turn on your hazard lights. It is important to remain calm if your tire blows out while driving and you must pull over. Look for a safe place to pull over, such as the side of a road with an emergency lane or parking lot. Once you locate a safe spot, make sure to turn on your hazard lights, so other drivers know you are on the side of the road and can adjust their speed accordingly. This will help ensure that you stay safe while changing your tire.
- Call for Help – Call roadside assistance or your auto insurance company for help. Having a tire blowout while driving can be an extremely stressful experience and it is important to take the right steps to keep yourself safe. It may seem tempting to try and replace the tire yourself. However, this can be dangerous in the middle of traffic. If you have roadside assistance or are covered by an auto insurance policy, you should call for help if you experience a tire blowout. Roadside assistance will help you get your vehicle off to the side of the road and change your tire.
- Change the Tire Yourself – If you know how and it’s safe, you can change the tire yourself. Changing a tire yourself is an important skill and one that can save you time and money. If you happen to experience a blowout while driving, having the knowledge to change the tire yourself will be invaluable. Just make sure you have the necessary tools, such as a spare tire and jack, before attempting a repair on your own.
- Have Someone Else Change the Tire – If you don't know how to change a tire, have someone else do it. In the event of a tire blowout while driving, it is safest and most efficient to have someone else change the tire if you are unfamiliar with the process. It is better to rely on qualified personnel to change your tire quickly, efficiently, and safely, so you can get back on the road again.
Injured in a Tire Blowout Accident in South Carolina? Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Experienced Tire Blowout Lawyers Today
Tire blowouts can happen for a wide variety of reasons, including product defects, installation or repair errors, or poor maintenance practices. If you were injured in a tire blowout accident because of another person or company’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
At Pierce, Sloan, Kennedy & Early LLC, we have been helping injury victims and their families hold those at fault for their pain and suffering accountable since 1999. As our case results prove, we have decades of experience securing the best possible outcome for our clients.
Call us at (843) 968-0886 or reach out to us online today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our tire blowout attorneys in Charleston.