The Dangers of Changing a Tire on the Side of the Roadway

Changing a flat tire on the side of the road is one of the most dangerous responsibilities that a vehicle owner or driver may have to handle. Even if you know exactly how to change a tire, doing so on the side of the road comes with serious risks. For example, many vehicles are likely speeding by. In many places, there are only very narrow shoulders or areas available to complete the task. On top of all of this, there are serious visibility issues that can make it challenging for approaching motorists to see you. If one little mistake occurs, the driver or vehicle owner changing the tire can immediately be struck or run over, resulting in a traumatic and devastating car accident.

Common dangers of changing a tire on the side of the roadway

Many different dangers that drivers or vehicle owners face when changing a tire on the side of the roadway include:

• High-speed traffic: Many highways allow traffic to drive around 65 to 70 miles per hour. In fact, Texas is home to the highest posted speed limit in the US, which is 85 mph (although this is only on a designated stretch of Highway 130). This means that while you are on the side of the road, many vehicles may drive past you at these high speeds, which can be frightening and risky.
• Distractions: Many drivers are distracted by their cell phones, radios, GPS devices, and even their passengers. The unfortunate reality is that if a driver is distracted, they may not see you or your vehicle on the side of the roadway. By failing to pay attention or see you, they may swerve off the road or on the shoulder where you are changing a tire, causing you to sustain catastrophic injuries.
• Fatigue: Fatigue is another issue that drivers commonly deal with. When drivers are tired, they may be less alert while behind the wheel. This can cause them to not see you on the side of the roadway or prevent them from reacting quickly enough to avoid hitting you. To make matters worse, some fatigued drivers may fall asleep, run off the road, and hit you or your vehicle, causing fatal injuries.
• Lack of space or shoulder: Unfortunately, roads lack space for drivers to change their tires. Due to this, drivers are forced to change their flat tires near other vehicles driving by. One of these vehicles could swerve and place you in their disastrous pathway with one mistake or error.
• Poor weather conditions: Poor weather conditions can make an already dangerous situation even more hazardous. For example, heavy rainfall, fog, snow, or sleet can make roads slick and slippery. When this happens, vehicles are more likely to slide, causing the driver to lose control. If a driver slides into the shoulder or area where you are changing the tire, this could lead to life-threatening and deadly injuries.

Recent accidents in San Antonio where a person was changing a tire

Drivers and vehicle owners are often involved in accidents while changing a tire. Here are two recent accidents in San Antonio where a person was changing a tire and struck and killed this year:

1. In January 2024, a man went to help his family member who got a flat tire on Highway 410 in San Antonio. They had their four-way hazards on to alert traffic about their stopped vehicles. However, a driver stated that he had dropped something on the floor and looked down, causing him to hit the man who had helped his family member change the tire. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
2. In March 2024, another person who was helping a driver change a flat tire was hit and killed in San Antonio. The accident happened around 9 p.m. on Highway 281. The reason for the accident was that a vehicle veered into another vehicle’s lane, causing that vehicle to need to pivot to the right. When the vehicle pivoted to the right, it hit the trailer attached to the victim’s vehicle, which was behind the vehicle on which the victim was replacing a tire. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver who owned the vehicle with the flat tire suffered abdominal injuries and was immediately transported to a nearby hospital.

What should I do if I get a flat tire?

Getting a flat tire on a busy roadway is a frightening situation. However, it is important not to panic. Your priority needs to be getting to a safe spot as soon as possible. Consider these five steps if you find yourself in this situation:

1.   Place your hands on the steering wheel firmly

Flat tires are known to cause steering issues. Therefore, it is critical that you remain as calm as possible, do not panic, and place your hands on the steering wheel firmly. By gripping your steering wheel, you can regain control of your vehicle.

2.   Slow down

Start slowing down the vehicle. You may be on a busy, high-speed highway, so it may take some time to slow down. During this time, you do not want to slam on the brakes, as this will only make things worse. Simply let your foot off the gas pedal and allow the vehicle to begin slowing down. You should also turn on your hazard flashers to let traffic know you are experiencing a problem.

3.   Pull over to the side of the road

After your vehicle has slowed down, you should find a safe place to pull over. When you find a place to pull over safely, make sure you get over as much as you possibly can. This can be difficult with limited room, but you want to ensure that you are as far away from other vehicles going by as possible. Keep your four-way hazard lights on while on the side of the road.

4.   Attempt to change the tire

If you are able to get to a safe location and know how to change a tire, you can attempt to perform the repairs yourself. However, if you are close to traffic, you are better off calling in professional help to move your vehicle.

5.   Call for roadside assistance

If you cannot find a spare, do not know how to change a tire, or do not feel safe doing so, it is always a good idea to call for roadside assistance. Roadside workers are experienced and trained to change your tire quickly and successfully on the side of the road.

At Pat Maloney: Accident & Injury Attorney, we protect the rights of those injured or killed in accidents in San Antonio. If you or a family member suffered severe injuries while changing a tire on the side of the road, you need to speak to a dedicated personal injury lawyer. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free case evaluation with our legal team in San Antonio today.