If you’ve been involved in a car crash in Florida, you likely assume factors like speeding or distracted driving will determine who’s responsible. However, assigning fault in a personal injury claim is frequently more nuanced than most people realize. It may come as a surprise that something as routine as proper tire upkeep can influence liability as well, especially when roads are wet or other dangerous conditions make driving more risky. Additionally, tire maintenance plays a critical role in how responsibility is assessed after an accident.
Why Proper Tire Care Matters So Much
Tires are the only component of a car that actually touches the pavement. As a result, their condition strongly affects steering and stability, braking distance, and the level of control you can maintain during sudden or dangerous situations. Tires that are worn down or completely bald can be unsafe even when the weather is clear. Proper tire maintenance helps prevent skidding, hydroplaning, or losing control of the vehicle, especially in wet conditions.
For these reasons, motorists are expected to keep their vehicles roadworthy and to follow the tire-use and maintenance recommendations provided by the manufacturer. Florida safety guidance also highlights concerns such as overall tire condition, adequate tread depth, and regular upkeep. Routine tire maintenance is an essential factor in meeting these expectations.
When tire care requirements aren’t followed and a crash occurs, the state of the tires may influence how fault and liability are determined.
Legal Requirements for Tire Maintenance in Florida
Florida statutes require vehicles to be driven in a safe operating condition and generally instruct motorists to comply with automaker specifications. Although state rules establish minimum standards for tire use and maintenance, manufacturer directions often provide more detailed and more protective benchmarks for safe tire function. Following tire maintenance guidelines is especially important to ensure compliance.
In Florida, motorists are generally expected to:
- Confirm tires have at least 2/32” of remaining tread depth
- Install tires that are certified for highway operation
- Verify tires show no visible damage or defects
- Use tires that match the proper size and correct type for the vehicle
- Refrain from using mismatched, incompatible, or unsafe tires on the same axle
- Avoid loading the vehicle beyond the manufacturer’s stated weight limits
- Maintain tire pressure according to the manufacturer’s recommendations
Complying with the minimum legal baseline does not necessarily remove liability. When manufacturer safety requirements are more stringent than state guidance, insurers and courts may still rely on those manufacturer standards when deciding fault after a crash. Thorough tire maintenance according to both state and manufacturer rules can affect the outcome of legal proceedings.
How Proper Tire Care Can Affect a Car Accident Claim
In a recent matter, a motorist was part of a multi-vehicle crash after hydroplaning on a bend and striking our client. The driver attempted to claim that the rain alone caused the collision. Yet other drivers navigated the same curve safely, sometimes at faster speeds, without sliding or losing control. Investigators later determined the driver’s tires were significantly worn down. Although the tread still satisfied Florida’s minimum legal depth requirements, it fell short of the tire maker’s safety guidance for wet-road performance. Tire maintenance standards, including tread depth and overall condition, proved decisive in assigning responsibility. In the end, the driver operating on worn tires was found mostly responsible for the accident.
Comparative Negligence in Car Accidents
Fault in a Florida car accident is not always a simple yes-or-no determination. Florida uses a modified comparative negligence framework that allows accident blame to be divided among the parties involved. Even if you share some responsibility, you may still be able to recover damages. Under Florida law, you must be 50% or less at fault to collect compensation, and whatever you receive is decreased based on your assigned percentage of fault. For instance, if your damages totaled $1 million and you were found 20% responsible, that award would be reduced by 20%, resulting in an $800,000 recovery. Tire maintenance may be a factor in how negligence is split in these cases.
Tire upkeep can meaningfully affect how fault is evaluated in a Florida crash claim. In certain cases, worn or neglected tires may be cited as evidence that a driver contributed to the collision. In other cases, the tire condition can support an argument that the other driver carried most of the blame. To sum up, consistent tire maintenance can shape the outcome of accident investigations.
Were You Hurt in a Car Crash? We’ve Got Your Back
If you were involved in a car accident, you don’t need to face what comes next by yourself. We’re ready to support you at every stage, from working with your insurance provider, even if your claim was rejected, to pursuing the fullest compensation possible. Our clients are part of the Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys family, and we stand with you, for you, for good. For a free case review, feel free to call (855) 529-3366 or contact us online. You won’t owe anything unless we win your case. And remember, good tire maintenance is part of your duty as a driver.
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