In the United States, 1972 was the tragic year when 54,589 people died in traffic accidents – more than any other year on record. By 2012, that figure had dropped by about 38 percent. It’s hard now to recall that auto manufacturers weren’t even required to install seat belts before 1968, or that prior to 1984 not a single state required seat belt use. In the intervening years, the advances in automobile safety have been astounding. And with driverless, computer-driven cars and computer-managed traffic right around the corner, the prospects are bright for even safer streets and fewer fatalities.

Some safety advances – air bags, for instance – take little thought or maintenance. We know the air bags are there if we need them. But other parts of your vehicle, especially your lights, brakes, and tires, wear out and require regular maintenance or replacement. Low tire pressure, for example, causes you to spend more at the gas pump, but it’s also quite dangerous. About 200,000 accidents a year in the U.S. are attributable to under-inflated tires, leading to about 33,000 injuries and about 660 fatalities annually, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Some automobiles now have a warning light to tell drivers when a tire is under-inflated; however, the light is designed only to display when tires are about 25 percent deflated, and that’s a lot. The wisest strategy is to check your tire pressure yourself routinely.

If you’re injured in a traffic accident, and an under-inflated tire is the cause of your accident and injury, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the driver or against the business or mechanic who maintains that driver’s vehicle. If you’re injured this way in Bronx County or anywhere in the New York area, speak at once with an experienced Bronx personal injury attorney. A good personal injury lawyer will look at the evidence, consult with experts, and determine who is responsible for your injury. You may receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost earnings, and more. If you’re hurt in any traffic collision in the New York area now or in the future, protect yourself and speak right away with an experienced Bronx auto accident attorney.