How Improper Tire Pressure Can Lead to a Car Accident: Important Information from Tampa Auto Accidents Lawyer Dale Appell, P.A.

As a resident of greater Tampa Bay, Florida, you are familiar with our area's long, hot summers. On these hot days, many of our state's citizens enjoy lengthy drives to popular Florida vacation destinations like beaches and theme parks. But did you know that, when driving on those scorching summer days, you could be at an increased risk for car accidents? It's true; when the weather is sizzling and the speeds are high, an under-inflated tire could be the catalyst for a terrible auto accident. Tampa auto accidents lawyer Dale Appell is one of many personal injury attorneys striving to educate the public about this little known but all-to-real danger.

In times of high gas prices, many of us have heard the news that proper tire pressure can save a substantial amount of fuel. You may not have heard, however, that proper tire pressure can also save you from a car accident. How? Under-inflated tires can negatively impact your ability to slow down, steer, turn a corner, and so on. In addition, under-inflated tires are more prone to failure and tread separation, which are also factors in bad automobile accidents.

The standard tire pressure for most car tires is 35 pounds per square inch, or 35 psi. By keeping all four tires at their recommended pressure, a good amount of tread will usually remain on the road surface and the temperature of the tires will usually remain within a safe range. However, a tire that is under-inflated by just 5 psi will not grip the road as securely as a properly inflated tire. This will put you at an increased risk of accidents, particularly on wet roads. A car with just one tire under-inflated to 30 psi can spin out, giving you a less than stable driving experience.

There is another danger to under-inflated tires. An under-inflated tire has more room to flex on the roadway, thus increasing the temperature of the tire. Tires subjected to higher temperatures and stress will deteriorate more quickly, putting you at risk of a blowout because the chemicals holding your tire together will break down. This is a critical issue in the Tampa Bay, Florida area where summers are hot and long, and traffic is heavy due to tourism.

To prevent the number of car accidents due to improper tire pressure, Tampa auto accidents lawyer Dale Appell, P.A. recommends the following tips:

• Learn the proper tire pressure for your car by reading your owner's manual (the ideal pressure is usually not printed on the tire itself)
• Keep a good (preferably digital) tire gauge with you at all times and learn how to use it
• Check your tire pressure at least once a month
• Also check your tire pressure before any long road trip
• Always check the pressure on all four tires
• Do not assume a tire is okay just because it looks like it's properly inflated
• Check the pressure on your spare tire, too
• To get the most accurate reading, check your tire pressure after your car has been parked for at least a few hours
• Remember that your car's tire pressure warning lights will not warn you until your tire pressure has fallen to 25 psi, a dangerous level
• If you are unsure about checking your own tire pressure, go to your local tire store or auto shop and ask them to check it for you

Tampa auto accidents lawyer Dale Appell, P.A. is committed to preventing car accidents of all types in our community, especially accidents that are caused by something as easily corrected as tire pressure. Our law firm is also dedicated to fighting for justice for those who have been wrongly injured in an auto accident.

To receive a free assessment of your car accident case, please contact Tampa auto accidents lawyer Dale Appell today. We welcome inquires from throughout West Central Florida and beyond including Thonotosassa, Carrollwood, Citrus, St Petersburg, Clearwater, Apollo Beach, Brandon, Temple Terrace, Sun City Center, Bradenton, and beyond.