What should you do if your tire suddenly blows out?

tire blows out You might hear the loud boom first. Or you might notice your car slowing down though you haven’t braked. Both of these are signs that you experienced a tire blowout, but even more important than recognizing the signs is knowing what to do to keep you safe and get your vehicle off the road.

Keep reading to learn what you should do if your tire suddenly blows out. The car accident lawyers at Langdon & Emison have seen thousands of blowout-related crashes. We know how to represent injured victims and how to get them the compensation they need.

Call (866) 931-2115 now for more information.

1. Don’t slam on the brakes.

Instinct may tell you to slam on your brakes amid a tire blowout, but doing so will cause damage to your car and may even put you in physical danger. Slamming on the brakes will cause your wheels to lock up, leading to total loss of control of your vehicle and increasing the potential for flipping or crashing.

Instead of slamming on the brakes, you can allow your car to slow down naturally. Or, if you’re unable to exit the roadway or don’t feel safe doing so, keep a light foot on the gas so you’ll maintain the vehicle’s momentum to get you to a safer location.

2. Turn on your hazards and keep a firm grip on the wheel.

If possible, turn on your hazards and send three quick blasts on the horn to signal that you need room. Blowouts can happen in a split second, so following these steps can help keep you safe and prevent you from being hit by another vehicle.

Keep your hands firmly on the wheel in the 10 and 2 o’clock positions. Your car will start veering to the right or left, depending on which tire blew out, but try your hardest to keep your vehicle pointing straight.

This is the priority – if there’s a lot of traffic or you feel like you’re in danger, prioritize keeping the car straight instead of reaching for the hazards or horn. Remember, you should keep your foot very lightly on the gas to keep you moving forward and toward a safe place to stop your car. Don’t slam on your brakes or the gas.

3. Steer straight.

If you look up what you should do when your tire suddenly blows out, you’re likely to come across people who say it’s best to steer forcefully in the opposite direction of where the blown tire is pulling you. For example, if your blown tire is pulling you to the left, some people would tell you to steer in as far to the opposite direction as possible.

However, that is dangerous and incorrect. When your tire blows, try and keep your car pointed straight ahead. Your blown tire will inevitably wobble and pull you in its direction a bit, but any forceful pulling can make the problem worse. Overcorrecting could send you in the other lane, making it more likely that you’ll get in a crash.

Don’t try to turn, and definitely don’t try to overcorrect. When in doubt, keep your vehicle going straight ahead. You can gently apply the brakes once your car has slowed down below 30 mph.

4.Pull to the shoulder or side of the road and change your tire.

Once you have safely removed your vehicle from direct traffic, stop your car on the shoulder or side of the road and either replace your tire yourself or call someone to help you.

If you’re injured in any way, call an ambulance. Your health is the priority, not your vehicle.

Some blowouts are the result of underinflated tires, but many also happen because of defects within the tire itself. Unfortunately, tires are some of the most common defective products on the market, and just one mistake on the part of the manufacturer could cause your tire to blow. When too much air escapes from the tire, there’s not enough air pressure to support the weight of the car, yourself, your passengers, and whatever else you’re carrying.