When you are zipping down the freeway during your morning commute, driving 75 miles per hour with traffic on every side of you the very last thing you are likely thinking about is whether you remembered to have your oil changed or your tires checked. And yet, taking care of your car and performing regular maintenance could actually save your life. In particular, the state of your brakes and your tires could be crucial, although there are other maintenance issues which are also extremely important.
Brakes: A Key Component in Car Safety
Stop and go driving is usually a part of any driver’s daily commute. It could be argued that brakes are, in fact, the most important safety feature on your vehicle. After all, being able to stop quickly keeps you safe, allowing you to keep up with the flow of traffic while helping you avoid accidents. If you have not kept up with routine maintenance on your brakes, your safety and the ability to control your car could be seriously compromised. You will want your mechanic to regularly check the thickness of your brake pads, the wear patterns, the rotors, calipers, cylinders and brake fluid levels.
These are all parts of your brakes which must work together to allow you to brake smoothly and responsively. If you have noticed any squeaking or grinding sounds when you apply your brakes, an increase in stopping times, a wobble or pull to one side when slowing, or the necessity of pushing your brakes all the way to the floor in order to stop, it is essential that you take your car in for a check-up.
Tires: The Most Overlooked Part of Your Car’s Safety System
Tires do more than keep your car mobile, they also affect the way your car handles and your stopping distance. Yet tires are often one of the most overlooked parts of your car’s safety system. The NHTSA estimates that there are more than 700 auto accident fatalities each year which can be directly tied to bad tires. Further, as many as one in three drivers cannot tell if their tire is worn out and four out of five do not know how to check tire pressure. Uneven wear on a tire can suggest an alignment issue or other mechanical problem, and once the tread on a tire wears down to 2/32nds of an inch, the tire should be replaced.
Even if your tread is fine, tire rubber can become weakened over time with ten years being the maximum amount of time you should drive on a tire. Finally, tire pressure is also essential—remember, that in newer cars by the time your tire pressure monitor alert light comes on, you are past the point where it is safe to continue driving. Learn to check your tire pressure and keep a close eye on the tread and age of your car’s tires. Have regular maintenance performed on your vehicle to remain safe, and if you are hit by another driver due to negligence, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to safeguard your future.
Contact Our Atlanta Car Accident Attorneys Today
At Schnipper Law, P.C., our Atlanta car accident attorneys can help you after a devastating car accident. We know that injured car accident victims need money now – not tomorrow. That’s why we work aggressively from the start to obtain the maximum compensation for all our clients. Call Schnipper Law P.C., at (404) 545-5845 for a free initial consultation and review of your case. We can help you recover the money you need to put your life back together after a serious accident.
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