Welcome to the May Edition of the BISNAR | CHASE Ezine
According to the most recent data by the California Highway Patrol, there are more than 500,000 car accidents in California each year leading to nearly 4000 fatalities and almost 200,000 injuries.
The fact is, every time you get into your car you face potential risks. Thankfully, there are ways to reduce your chance of being involved in a car accident and I'm going to show you how.
Over the next several issues of the BISNAR | CHASE Ezine, I'm going to provide you with practical insights and strategies for maintaining your vehicle for safer driving.
While car maintenance cannot overcome poor driving habits, it can give you the edge you need to steer clear of danger, brake short of trouble, and limit damage in case of impact.
If you have any questions about car safety, I encourage you to give our firm a call at 1-800-561-4887 and we'll help you however possible.
To a safe and enjoyable summer,
John Bisnar
BISNAR | CHASE
In This Issue:
- Meet Janet Munroe
- Personal Injury Tip
- In the Blog
- Lawyer Joke
- Car Accident Attorneys
Personal Injury Tip
5 Tire Maintenance Tips That Might Just Save Your Life!
Your four tires are the only components of your car that come in direct contact with the road--and it's because of this they play a critical role in maintaining your safety whenever you drive.
In fact, every time you operate your car, you are relying on your tires to support the chassis off the ground, absorb the bumps from the road surface, aid in acceleration and braking, and help change and maintain the direction of travel.
Unfortunately, if one or more of your tires is flawed or worn out then all of these functions will be negatively affected--limiting your capacity to practice defensive driving tactics such as braking quickly or steering out of harm's way.
You never know when a hazard may be headed in your direction, but by maintaining your tires you will be better prepared to escape safely.
Here are 5 tire maintenance tips that might just save your life:
- Proper Inflation: Keeping your tires properly inflated is the most important aspect of tire maintenance. If your tires aren't inflated correctly, then they will be tougher to maneuver, wear out faster, cause a bumpier ride, and even reduce your car's gas mileage! Still, only 1 out of 7 drivers checks their tire pressure on a regular basis.
To inflate your tires correctly, you should always refer to your driver's manual for the standard cold tire inflation pressure (don't refer to the tire itself). Then (when your tire is cold) unscrew the valve cap and measure your air pressure with a pressure gauge. If the pressure is not what the manual recommends, fill or release air until it reaches the correct amount. Then don't forget to put the valve cap back on after you're done.
- Regular Rotation: Typically, your front tires work harder than rear ones do since they face a lot of the scrubbing action from steering and rolling. Because of this, your tires need to be rotated every once in a while in order to prolong their life and to protect against the risk of sudden tire failure.
t's common to rotate tires every 500-800 miles, but you should refer to the owner's manual to see the vehicle manufacturer's specific recommendations. With that said, if you ever notice a problem with your tires, then you should get them checked right away by a qualified technician.
- Repair/Replacement: According to the California Motor Vehicle Code 27465: "No person shall use on a highway a pneumatic tire on a car axle when the tire has less than the following tread depth…
- One thirty-second (1/32) of an inch tread depth in any two adjacent grooves at any location of the tire…
- Four thirty-second (4/32) of an inch tread depth at all points in all major grooves on a tire…
- Six thirty-second (6/32) of an inch tread depth at all points in all major grooves on snow tires…"
The "penny test" is a common way to gauge your tread depth and check if your tires need replacement. Put a penny into several tread grooves across the tire with Lincoln's head aimed downward. If Lincoln's head is always covered by the tread depth, you have more than 2/32" of tread depth remaining.
You should also look into repairing or replacing your tires if there is damage to the sidewall, a bulge sticking out, or a deep cut in the rubber (even if the tire is still holding air). Any one of these issues could lead to an accident.
- Balancing/Alignment: Proper balancing and alignment are necessary for you to have complete control over your vehicle. If you ever notice an abnormal vibration, pounding, shaking, or pulling then you should see a tire technician immediately. These problems won't only cause your tires to wear faster than usual, but are also major safety issues.
- Don't Forget the Spare: Lastly, you should always make sure your spare tire is accessible and properly inflated in case of emergency.
Tire maintenance is one of the most neglected vehicle safety measures in California, yet its importance cannot be overemphasized.
By following these 5 tips for maintaining your tires, you will improve your safety every time you get in your car. As a driver, you never know when a car accident will occur so preventive measures are all you can rely on. Tire safety is one of those measures . . . and you never know when it might just save your life.
In the Blog
Here are a few car accident stories that have been in the news, as covered on www.CaliforniaInjuryBlog.com:
Visit the blog today to receive regular updates on local injuries and accidents in California.
Lawyer Joke: The Lantern
In a terrible accident at a railroad crossing, a train smashed into a car and pushed it nearly four hundred yards down the track. Though no one was killed, the driver of the car took the train company to court.
At the trial, the engineer insisted that he had given the driver ample warning by waving his lantern back and forth for nearly a minute. He even stood and convincingly demonstrated how he'd done it. The court believed his story, and the suit was dismissed.
"Congratulations," the lawyer said to the engineer when it was over. "You did superbly under cross-examination."
"Thanks," he said, "but he sure had me worried."
"How's that?" the lawyer asked.
"I was afraid he was going to ask if my lantern was lit!"
Car Accident Attorneys
At Bisnar Chase, our experience and dedication to representing California car accident victims has earned us the legal expertise and financial resources to handle our client's cases with the best representation possible.
We are committed to doing everything in our power to make sure we achieve the best possible outcome. If you or anybody you know is ever involved in a California car accident, call us today at 1-800-561-4887 for your free consultation.
Personal Injury
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