Wow...glad you're safe. Sure sounds like you got off easy.
I just changed out a 5 year old set of Cooper Trendsetters (185-75/14) and the spare (Remington - really really old, I think), to avoid having tire problems. My reasoning was that I'd like to have the tires I want at the price I wanted, instead of being at the mercy of whatever shop I'd end up at with a blown tire, etc. That, and having the piece of mind that your tires are brand new on the first long trip with a *new* car is really nice.
Needless to say, my 4 yoko's did just fine
(as did the one in the trunk...)