When operating your vehicle, you rely on the overall safety of its design and maintenance. Unfortunately, mechanical issues can cause a traffic accident, even if you were driving safely. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicated that there are thousands of wrecks caused by mechanical failures every year. Mechanical failures can result from the negligence of the person who designed or repaired the vehicle, but the vehicle’s owner may be at fault for improper or neglectful maintenance. As a driver, you need to know the common causes of mechanical failure car accidents, and you should know how to determine the negligent party and seek damages.

Common Causes of Mechanical Failure Car Accidents

The majority of vehicle owners rely on professional maintenance services from auto repair shops and dealerships, which means that you may not be aware if there’s a problem with your vehicle until it leads to a wreck. There are probably warning indicators on your vehicle’s dashboard indicating mechanical issues, but some problems may not give you a warning. Some of the common ways in which mechanical problems lead to car accidents include:

• Bad tires: Worn and defective tires are the leading cause of mechanical failure car accidents. If your tire is not properly maintained, it can blow out, resulting in a loss of control over your vehicle. Additionally, an overinflated or underinflated tire may result in a blowout. Even if your tire doesn’t experience a blowout, worn-out treads can cause you to lose control in rainy or icy conditions. To ensure the safety of yourself and others on the road, make sure to regularly check your tire pressure and treads.

• Brakes: Brake failure can lead to a serious traffic accident that can even be fatal, and it’s the second most common cause of mechanical failure car accidents. Brake failure can result from worn-out brake pads, problems with brake lines, and a faulty anti-lock braking system (ABS). You should regularly get your brake pads and discs checked to avoid disaster.

• Windshield wipers: Faulty windshield wipers can cause serious accidents because you may be unable to see the road in inclement conditions. Fortunately, changing out your wipers is an easy process, so make sure to be proactive in addressing the issue to maintain optimal vision while driving through rain or snow.

• Steering issues: If your steering or suspension system suddenly malfunctions, you can lose control over your vehicle. Both a faulty steering wheel assembly and issues with the suspension system can cause a deadly wreck.

Determining the At-Fault Party in a Mechanical Failure Car Crash

Different people can be responsible for a mechanical failure vehicular accident. If the owner fails to maintain their vehicle properly, they can be found at fault for a mechanical failure. Drivers could be at fault if they ignore low or faulty tires, neglect to change their brake pads or fail to fix other mechanical issues.

If the driver of the faulty vehicle serviced their automobile at an auto repair shop, the shop could be at fault. The repair shop may have improperly changed a tire or replaced brake pads that resulted in a traffic accident.

Finally, the vehicle manufacturer can be at fault for a mechanical failure wreck. Factory recalls occur frequently and result from faulty designs and issues in manufacturing. If the mechanical failure was the result of a design flaw, you could prove that the manufacturer was to blame for the wreck. If a manufacturer puts out a recall and the driver ignored the recall, the vehicle owner would be at fault.

Contact an Indiana Mechanical Failure Car Accident Lawyer

If you suspect that an auto repair shop or vehicle manufacturer caused your mechanical failure accident, you need to call a car accident attorney immediately. Skilled vehicular accident lawyers can help you build a case against the negligent party so that you can receive compensation for damages and personal injuries. To receive the expert legal assistance you deserve, call Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery Attorneys at Law at 1-800-265-9881. You can also click here to schedule a FREE case review.