Blog Category:

Car and Motorcycle Accidents

8/23/2010
Jeffrey Meldon
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Tire Failure Causes Fatal Rollover - Local Accident Attorney Urges Tire & Safety Checks

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) fingers tire tread separation as the culprit in a fiery rollover crash on I-75 near Gainesville.  Five of the seven passengers were ejected from the SUV, and the driver was killed.

As an experienced Gainesville automobile accident attorney, I join the FHP in urging all Florida motorists to check their tires before hitting the highway for the summer driving season. 

Tire tread separation while travelling at a high speed can be catastrophic, as it was for this family.  While tire failure may not be 100% preventable due to manufacturing or design defects, I recommend taking routine maintenance precautions to ensure the safety of your tires-and your family.

Looking at this tragic crash, a number of factors may have contributed to its fatal outcome:

  • Tire Failure. Tire tread separation at a high speed may lead to a rollover crash, the deadliest type of traffic accident.  This is a "tripped" rollover, which characterizes 95% of these fatal crashes.
  • No Seat Belt Use. Failure to wear a safety belt is illegal, and can cause vehicle occupants to be ejected in a rollover. When ejected, the vehicle may crush its occupants.
  • SUV. SUV's are generally tall with a narrow wheel base and a high center of gravity, making them more susceptible to rollover crashes.
  • Speed. The crash took place on I-75, so they were likely travelling at a high speed.  About 40% of fatal rollover crashes involve cars travelling at 55mph or more.
  • Heavy Load. Overloading is a serious contributing factor to rollover crashes. Apparently, the Ford SUV in this crash was carrying 7 people, ages 11 to 74. It's easier than you may think to overload a vehicle.

So, please check your tires for tread wear or other risk factors.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends replacing your vehicle's tires when tread is worn to 1/16th of an inch or you can see the "tire bars." 

For more information:

Tire Safety - Everything Rides on it.  NHTSA Report

When was the last time you checked your tires?    

What should I look for when checking my tires?             

 



Labels: accident attorney fatal gainesville I-75 overload rollover crash seat belt suv tire separation


I am local Accident Attorney, Jeffrey Meldon, and I strongly believe that public education is the first step in the prevention of and/or recovery from a serious accident. 

My Office and I take pride in our work, and the results we get for our clients.  

The Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon and Associates is a regional law firm that is located in Gainesville, Florida. We are personal injury lawyers, litigators and trial lawyers that have been working to get accident victims the justice they deserve for over 37 years throughout North Florida and all over Florida. Accidents involving a car crash, truck wreck, and motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accidents, dog bites, slip and falls and medical malpractice are all included in their practice as accident attorneys.

We have been proudly representing injured accident victims in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Inverness, Daytona Beach, Dunnellon, Palatka, The Villages, and Alachua County, Marion County, Columbia County, Citrus County, Volusia County, Sumter County, Putnam County  and the entire North and Central Florida since 1971.

For more information on how we can help you, or with any other question you may have, feel free to contact my Office at 1 800 373 8000.




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