Drivers of Cars with Faulty Equipment Can Be Responsible For Accidents

Author: Auger Law | January 24th, 2018

It’s easy to understand how a person could be held at fault for a car accident if they were negligent or behaved recklessly in some way. It’s also possible to potentially hold a driver accountable if they were operating faulty equipment. In some cases, defective automobiles can also be found to be the responsibility of the manufacturer of the automobile or automobile part manufacturer.

Any serious injury accident caused by faulty or defective equipment should be investigated.  The goal of such an investigation is to thoroughly determine any potential negligence claims against the person operating the vehicle or against a manufacturer or repair shop that could have been negligent in the manufacturing or repair of the vehicle — resulting in serious injury.

Here are some common types of faulty equipment frequently involved in motor vehicle accidents.

1. Tires

Tires aren’t made to last forever, even though some people believe they are. The tires on any vehicle are rated for so many miles and should be replaced at that point. That’s not to say that tires won’t fail before their mileage is up. When an owner realizes that their tires are under-inflated, over-inflated or even that tread is worn or missing, they could be held responsible if a tire fails and results in an accident.

2. Bad Brakes

Brakes can be expensive. It’s why so many people wait until they can’t possibly wait any longer to have them changed. Unfortunately, this choice could lead to an accident. If you have heard screeching, scraping or grinding when you apply the brakes, or you notice that you have to push the pedal nearer the floor to get your car to slow down, you need to have your brakes looked at. Don’t risk not being able to stop when you need to.  Additionally, there have been successful cases against brake repair shops when their faulty repairs resulted in serious injury accidents.  Each case is different and should be investigated as soon as possible after the accident occurred.

3. Poor Visibility Due to Bad Wipers, Not Clearing Snow or Ice from Windshield or Driving in Unsafe Conditions

This is true especially when it snows and you don’t take the time to clear off your windshield and rear and side windows, but it can also occur because you fail to do one easy thing: Change windshield wiper blades. In order to work properly, your blades have to be making appropriate contact with your window. Over time, wiper blades wear and fray, inhibiting their ability to keep your windshield clear. If you cause an accident because you couldn’t see due to faulty blades, you could be held liable.

Additionally, driving in unsafe driving conditions can also lead to an accident that might not otherwise occur in good weather. If you are going to be on the roads, make sure you can see and that the weather is appropriate to drive in.

Proper vehicle maintenance is the responsibility of every owner. If you aren’t sure what you need to do or when to consult your owner’s manual. Keeping up on maintenance could not only prevent costly repairs, but it could prevent you from causing an accident.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Charlotte, reach out to our team of attorneys to arrange a case evaluation. We will review the details of your accident and advise you of your legal options. Call today to schedule your appointment and discover more about your rights.