Professional truck drivers often have to pay to maintain their commercial vehicles, and those expenses can add up. They may attempt to extend the life of their tires by choosing not to replace them as often as they should.
Attempting to use bald tires may save the driver some time and a little bit of money for a short time, but they are just not safe to use. Bald tires can cause hydroplaning, understeering, blow-outs, and lack of vehicle control. If you have been the victim of a crash due to bald tires on a commercial truck, you can benefit from the knowledge of a truck accident attorney in South Florida.
Florida Tread Requirements
Florida law has requirements regarding tires for the safety of all who travel on the roadways. Under this law, the minimum tread depth a tire can have is 1/16 or 2/32 of an inch. You can get the most accurate measurement using a ruler, but for a quick measurement, you can use a penny. After placing the penny into the tire grooves, look at Lincoln’s head. If you can see most of his head, it is time to replace the tires!
Rotation and Tire Pressure Requirements
Manufacturers may have specific rotation suggestions, but tires should be rotated at least every 5,000 miles. By rotating tires, you can prolong their life by ensuring the tread will wear evenly. This helps to keep other motorists safe as well.
Tire pressure can change with drastic drops in temperature. Cold tires can have lower air pressure. Driving long distances can cause the tires to become hot, which can increase the air pressure. Drivers of commercial vehicles should check tire air pressure more frequently to ensure it is safe.
Vehicle Load and Tire Age Requirements
Truck drivers are often paid by the load and try to make their load weight as high as possible to make their trip worth every penny. Unfortunately, when truck drivers overload their vehicles, the heavyweight can create excessive heat within the truck’s tires. This excess heat can cause the tires to fail completely. Any occupants in the truck add to the weight load, so it is important to count that weight toward the overall recommended load weight.
Another important consideration is the age of the tire. Even if the tires have been rotated, air pressure has been checked, and have low mileage, age is of utmost importance. A tire that is over six years of age is at high risk of blowing out and creating a truck accident. A truck driver must replace tires once they are over six years old.
Florida Truck Accident Lawyers Can Protect Your Legal Rights
If you have been the victim of a truck accident that was caused by tires that were not properly maintained, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries and damages. Call our attorneys at Englander Peebles today for a free case evaluation.