Good vehicle maintenance is necessary to keep Brookhaven roads safe. If a driver neglects maintenance or receives poor service, it’s dangerous. Maintenance issues can easily lead to an accident. If you were injured in this type of accident, you have options.
You might be able to receive money for your accident costs. It depends on facts like:
- Who caused the maintenance issues
- Whose is responsible for the accident
- What costs you have from the crash
If the driver owns their vehicle, they might be responsible for regular maintenance. But if it’s a commercial vehicle, an employer might be to blame. Or, a maintenance company might be at fault for poor service.
There are many facts to consider. Don’t try to build your case alone after the accident. Contact our Brookhaven car accident lawyers at John Foy & Associates.
We are one of the largest personal injury firms in Georgia. Our clients trust us because we are not afraid to fight for your recovery. Learn more during a FREE consultation.
Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started for FREE.
Types of Careless Vehicle Maintenance
Lousy maintenance can affect any part of a car or truck. Each vehicle part is important for safety on the road. If one part fails to work, it can cause a severe accident.
Here are typical examples of issues.
Brake Failure
Brakes are so important for vehicle functions. Without good brakes, a car might have sudden brake failure. A brake-related accident is often fatal.
Brake failure can happen because of:
- Brake hose defects
- Moisture on the brakes
- Overheated brake pads
- Corrosion or rust
- Leaking brake fluid
- Faulty brake parts
If the brakes fail, it’s a clear sign of carelessness. Someone has failed to make sure the vehicle is safe.
Tire Blowouts
Tire blowouts can happen suddenly. The driver might lose control of their car and hit other vehicles. If the blowout occurs on a busy highway, the damages can be horrible.
Tire blowouts can occur because of:
- An overloaded vehicle
- Too-low or too-high tire pressure
- Hitting an object, such as a pothole
- Running over something that pierces the tire
Tire blowouts are especially dangerous at high speeds. The driver might not have the time or space to get control of the car. If the vehicle crashes, many people can get hurt.
Faulty Headlights
Headlights are crucial for safe driving, especially at night. But many drivers don’t think enough about headlight maintenance.
You’ve probably seen someone driving without their headlights on at night or on foggy days. Some motorists will not notice until it’s too late.
Dirty or burnt-out headlights put everyone at risk. Other drivers might not see the vehicle until an accident happens.
Other Maintenance Problems that Cause Crashes
Drivers must have regular inspections done on their vehicles. If not, other issues can include:
- Steering failure
- Broken turn signal
- Engine issues
- Dead batteries
- Broken starter
- Overheating
- And more
A car accident lawyer can investigate your accident. They’ll look into the reason for the crash and where the maintenance issue started. These details will help you know where to file your personal injury claim.
Get the strong arm
Responsibility for a Bad Vehicle Maintenance Accident
After a car accident, you can file a claim against whoever was at fault. But knowing who’s responsible takes work. Typically, the responsible party is:
- The vehicle’s owner, or
- A maintenance company.
Let’s look deeper into each possibility.
Vehicle Owner Responsibility
Vehicle ownership is a privilege. Part of owning a car means keeping up with its maintenance needs. But sadly, too many drivers neglect routine maintenance for their cars.
Commercial drivers can be just as bad. For example, large truck drivers might avoid maintenance to save time. They have strict schedules that pressure them to work for longer. A truck driver could put off or neglect maintenance during shifts.
A driver can be responsible if neglected maintenance caused your accident. No one should drive a vehicle unless it’s in good working order (Georgia Code §40-8-7). If it’s a commercial vehicle, the driver’s employer could also be at fault.
Maintenance Company Responsibility
The driver is not always at fault for the accident. Sometimes, the maintenance company does a bad job. The driver might not know there’s a problem until something on the vehicle fails.
Many accidents happen because a repair company is careless. You might have a claim against the company if their neglect led to your accident.
Proving Faulty or Neglected Maintenance in an Accident
Proving that bad maintenance led to a crash is tricky. You will need to look at things like:
- Maintenance records
- Driving logs
- Missed inspections
- Accident scene evidence
Contact a lawyer who has experience with faulty or neglected maintenance accidents. This is not the type of case to take on alone. You’ll need help investigating the crash and gathering evidence.
Our car accident lawyers at John Foy & Associates can help. We’ll work to build the strongest case possible after your accident. Our goal is to recover your accident costs fully.
Learn more during a FREE consultation. Call (404) 400-4000, or contact us online.
Injuries from Vehicle Maintenance Problems
You will probably have severe injuries from your accident. Examples of injuries we see include:
- Concussions and other brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord damage
- Cuts and scrapes
- Bruising
- Severe burns
- And more
No matter how you were injured, see a doctor. Even if you feel okay, have a medical professional check you for injuries. You will need to know the full extent of your injuries from the crash.
Talk to a Brookhaven Car Accident Lawyer for Free Today
If faulty or neglected vehicle maintenance led to your accident, you have rights. You can bring a personal injury case to recover your costs. But you’ll need to know who is responsible first.
Also, filing your claim might be hard. The other side will look for ways to pay you less. So, you can protect yourself by working with an experienced lawyer.
John Foy & Associates knows what to do. We have 20-plus years of experience, and we are not afraid to fight for you. Learn more about how we can help today. Call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for your FREE consultation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
