This week saw a major tragedy on the East Coast, as University of Georgia
track star, Torrin Lawrence was pronounced dead at the scene of a car
accident. Reports suggest that the collegiate athlete was in route to
his Jacksonville, Florida, home when a tire blew on his vehicle. This
left him stranded in the middle of traffic on Interstate 75. A tractor
trailer failed to stop fast enough and sent Lawrence’s car flying,
and the young man was ejected. Still holding records in indoor track events,
and having captured SEC and NCAA titles, Lawrence will surely be remember
for what he did best. However, among the legacies that he will leave in
his wake is the reminder of how dangerous tire failure can be. Tire maintenance
is essential. Tire pressure gauges keep drivers aware when air pressure
dips below or exceeds the recommended guidelines. Additionally, drivers
should carefully monitor the wear on their tires. Tread that is too thin
will do little to provide traction and control. Furthermore, low air pressure
and worn tread drastically increase the chances of a tire blowout, which
can leave drivers in dangerous situations like that faced by Lawrence.
In some instances, it is not a failure to maintain the tires, but rather
negligence at play, in an accident like this. If there is a manufacturer
defect or a failure to properly install new tires, the accident can rest
on the shoulders of the companies at play.
For this reason, it is essential to get to a safe place after a tire blowout,
and then to contact a personal injury attorney. In order to remain safe
in a situation like this, it is recommended that the driver not come to
an abrupt stop or try to quickly maneuver the car to the side of the road.
Rather, it is wise to let the bad wheel slow the vehicle naturally and
to get out of the flow of traffic when this can be done without putting
oneself at further risk. Once this is managed and the car is away from
oncoming traffic, phone calls can be made to towing companies, repair
shops, insurance companies, and attorneys. It may be possible to recoup
some- or all of the expenses attributed to the accident.
