Tire Blowouts - Overlooked Vehicle Maintenance Can Be Deadly On I-75
Corbin Sutter
Accident Lawyers
With speeds of over 70 miles per hour, often with heavy traffic including commercial trucks, Interstate 75 is dangerous to drive on even when everything is fine. However, it's far more common than we would like for drivers to encounter unexpected problems including debris on the road, reckless drivers, bad weather, and even catastrophic tire blowouts. All Injuries Law Firm in Port Charlotte, we have been serving clients in southwest Florida from Ft Myers to Sarasota for over 30 years, and have witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of high-speed car accidents on I-75 and the devastation they can cause. One of the most unexpected events that can cause a catastrophic crash even for safe drivers is tire blowouts.
The Dangers of Tire Blowouts on I-75: Tire blowouts can be sudden, unexpected, and catastrophic, especially when driving at highway speeds, and especially when the front tire fails. On a busy interstate like I-75, a tire blowout can lead to:
• Sudden Loss of control of the vehicle.
• Swerving into neighboring lanes, endangering multiple vehicles.
• Rollover accidents, particularly with higher center of gravity vehicles like SUVs.
One of the worst outcomes in a tire blowout accident is passenger ejection due to rollovers.
When a vehicle undergoes abrupt shifts in direction or rollovers, passengers inside can be violently thrown from the vehicle if they aren't properly secured.
Causes of Passenger Ejection: There are several reasons a passenger might be ejected during an accident:
Not wearing seatbelts: This is the most common reason. A seatbelt significantly reduces the chances of ejection.
Damaged or faulty door latches: These can give way during an accident, leading to an increased risk of ejection.
Weakened window glass: Side window glass that has been previously cracked can shatter upon impact, allowing passengers to be thrown out.
Rollovers: The centrifugal forces during a rollover, as the vehicle overturns, can exert immense pressure, leading to an ejection.
How To Reduce The Changes Of Catastrophic Tire Blowouts
The chances of a blowout are low, but they do happen. By doing a little basic vehicle maintenance and by staying aware when driving you can cut the chances of a blowout further:
Regularly check tire pressure: Over or under-inflation increases the risk of a blowout.
Inspect tires: Look for signs of wear, damage, or foreign objects embedded in the rubber.
Replace old tires: Even if they look fine, tires have a shelf life. Replace them regularly based on manufacturer recommendations.
Always wear your seatbelt: It's your first line of defense against ejection.
Drive defensively: Anticipate problems and be prepared to react safely if you encounter debris on the highway.
Avoid overloading your vehicle: Excessive weight can strain tires.
Check for recalls: Often even tire companies have defective products, checking for tire recalls can help you stay aware if your tires have been recalled for safety reasons. You can check for tire recalls at this website.
Two Die In Charlotte County I-75 Crash Monday Night
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FL - Florida Highway Patrol announced that a fatal, single-vehicle accident occurred on Interstate 75 at mile marker 162 on August 7, 2023, around 11:41 PM.
The crash involved a 2005 Ford Ranger Pickup Truck traveling northbound on Interstate 75, south of US-17 with a driver and two passengers. The report indicates that the vehicle's left rear tire experienced a blowout while in the center lane. The sudden violent blowout caused the driver, a 61-year-old man from North Fort Myers, to lose control of the vehicle. After losing control of the pickup, the truck swerved across the lanes of travel to the right, where the vehicle overturned.
There were two passengers in the Ford Ranger Truck. A 52-year-old male passenger from North Fort Myers was ejected during the incident and was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He was later pronounced deceased. The second passenger, a 34-year-old woman from Cape Coral, was seriously injured in the accident.
The 61-year-old man from North Fort Myers who was the driver of the vehicle sustained only minor injuries. The cause of the tire blowout and further details surrounding the crash are currently under investigation by the FHP. Additional information will be provided as the investigation continues.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident on I-75, you need a legal team that understands the intricacies of such cases. At All Injuries Law Firm in Port Charlotte, we pride ourselves on our unparalleled expertise in auto accident litigation. While tragic events such as fatal crashes caused by tire blowouts are often unavoidable sometimes they can have other factors that contribute to the accident such as defective tires, roadway obstructions, items falling out of a vehicle that strike your vehicle, and more.
Attorney Brian O. Sutter and the lawyers at All Injuries Law Firm have been living and working with injured clients in Southwest Florida over 30 years. Attorney Brian Sutter has earned a 10 out of 10 AVVO rating and is an AV Preeminent Peer reviewed attorney who has won millions for clients and helps people recover from devastating accidents. Don't leave your case to chance. Contact All Injuries Law Firm today and ensure that you have the top legal attornies in Port Charlotte on your side.