Drivers glance at that little light every once in a while. The one on the dashboard that looks like a tire with an exclamation point in the middle of it.
Big mistake.
There’s a reason that light is there. It’s connected to your car’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and could mean the difference between getting home safely to your family or being involved in a deadly accident. Failure to maintain adequate tire pressure can lead to tread separation, blowouts, and loss of control at highway speeds.
And what happens when you suddenly lose control at 70 mph?
Tragedy.
Devastation that tears families apart.
These accidents are preventable. But they happen way too often.
What you’re going to learn:
- Why TPMS Systems Are More Important Than You Think
- The Hidden Dangers of Low Tire Pressure
- How TPMS Technology Actually Works
- What Drivers Should Do When The Warning Light Comes On
- The Legal Side of Tire Related Accidents
Why TPMS Systems Are More Important Than You Think
Did you know that improperly inflated tires cause almost 11,000 crashes and over 200 deaths each year in the United States alone?
That’s a lot of accidents that could have been prevented.
When that blowout causes a rollover or a multi-vehicle crash on the highway, it’s not just property damage to worry about. Serious injuries and wrongful deaths occur routinely because someone neglected to check their tire pressure before driving. Victims and their families often need to pursue a personal injury case with a wrongful death attorney to obtain the compensation they deserve.
Thankfully, there’s an easy way to prevent tires from failing on the road. TPMS systems provide drivers with a real-time warning when tire pressure falls below minimum safety standards. It’s one of the simplest safety features on any vehicle, but most people completely disregard it.
The Hidden Dangers of Low Tire Pressure
Let’s talk about low tire pressure for a minute…
If tires aren’t properly inflated, it’s more than just an uncomfortable ride. It creates a dangerous situation that can lead to a fatal crash.
Here’s what happens when tires don’t have enough air inside of them:
- Tires overheat
- Rubber weakens and tread separation occurs
- Vehicle becomes unpredictable when steering and braking
- It becomes harder to stop the vehicle quickly
- Risk of blowout exponentially increases
NHTSA research estimates that approximately 28% of vehicles on America’s roadways are driving with at least one tire that is significantly under-inflated at any given time. That’s over one out of every four cars on the highway.
Can you believe that?
Remember, when you combine low tire pressure with long highway drives, hot temperatures, and overloaded vehicles. You’ve got a recipe for disaster.
How TPMS Technology Actually Works
Thanks to advancements in automotive technology, TPMS has been required by federal regulation in all passenger vehicles sold in the United States since 2007. This decision came after NHTSA received reports of numerous tire-related rollover crashes and fatalities during the early 2000s.
Still confused about TPMS? Don’t worry. There are only two types to know about.
Direct TPMS: This system uses a sensor that is located inside each tire to measure the air pressure. Once the pressure drops below a certain threshold, the TPMS warning light on the dashboard will illuminate.
Indirect TPMS: This system works alongside the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system. Each wheel will rotate at a different rate when there is an under-inflated tire on the vehicle. The ABS can detect the problem and trigger the TPMS warning light.
Both systems accomplish the same task. They notify the driver of a potential tire issue before it turns into a bigger problem.
But remember…
Having a TPMS doesn’t absolve anyone from checking their tires on a regular basis. TPMS won’t detect slow air leaks or warn drivers when tires are nearing the end of their tread life. Vehicle owners should still be performing manual inspections of their tires on a routine basis.
TPMS is a safety net. Not a reason to slack on car maintenance habits.
What Drivers Should Do When The Warning Light Comes On
Most drivers get this part completely wrong.
As soon as that warning light pops on, the first instinct is to keep driving. Maybe check it later when there’s time. Or just ignore it altogether and hope it goes away.
Don’t do that.
If the TPMS light comes on, these are the steps that should be taken:
- Pull over to the side of the road as soon as possible and do a visual inspection of all four tires.
- Check tire pressure at the nearest gas station.
- Inflate tires to the proper PSI listed on the sticker inside the driver’s side door.
- Check tires for anything embedded in the tread like nails or sharp objects.
- Inspect tires for cracks or bulges in the sidewall.
- Take the vehicle to a professional if the light continues to come on.
Nobody would drive a vehicle with a cracked windshield. Don’t do it with low tires either.
A tire that is 25% below the recommended pressure rating is already in the danger zone. That’s how low tires have to be before the TPMS will trigger the warning light.
The Legal Side of Tire-Related Accidents
If a tire suddenly fails and causes a crash that injures others, the legal repercussions can be severe.
Vehicle owners are responsible for keeping their cars maintained in safe working order. This includes heeding warnings from the vehicle’s TPMS system. Negligence can come into play when determining liability if a driver ignores that warning light and gets into an accident.
But it’s not always the driver’s fault.
Bad tires slip through every manufacturer’s quality control process. It’s possible that a tire was defective through no fault of the driver. Maybe the mechanic who installed them forgot to fill them up or failed to notice a nail embedded in the tread. It could even be the vehicle’s TPMS sensor malfunctioning without warning.
If a tire-related crash causes a wrongful death, liability can fall on:
- The driver of the vehicle for failing to maintain it
- The tire manufacturer for producing a defective product
- The auto repair shop for negligent service
- The vehicle manufacturer for a faulty TPMS sensor
A qualified wrongful death attorney can sift through all of the evidence to determine who is at fault. Tire forensics can be performed, maintenance records can be subpoenaed, and data from the vehicle’s computer can be analyzed.
No family should ever have to suffer the loss of a loved one in a preventable accident. And when it does happen, someone should be held accountable.
The Bottom Line
Vehicle Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems aren’t there to annoy drivers or make life difficult. They are one of the most effective safety features inside any car keeping occupants from being involved in a fatal accident.
Statistically speaking, tire failures caused by under-inflation are preventable crashes. Every day drivers continue to ignore that little light on their dash, someone’s life is taken far too soon.
Don’t be that person.
Check those tires, and pay attention to the TPMS.
