Car accidents are a common occurrence. According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, there were nearly 150,000 car accidents in 2022 alone. But the good news is that most of these accidents can be prevented. Keeping your car well-maintained is one of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and your passengers safe.
This article explains how poor vehicle maintenance can lead to crashes. It also contains helpful tips on keeping your car maintained. Read on to learn more about how keeping your vehicle in good condition can prevent Alabama car accidents.
Poor Maintenance as a Cause of Alabama Car Accidents
The vast majority of car accidents are caused by driver error. Usually, “driver error” brings to mind images of a speeding, distracted, or careless driver. But drivers owe it to themselves and everyone on the road to keep their vehicles in good shape. So, a lack of vehicle maintenance is also a form of driver error.
Certain areas of a car are likely to cause an accident if not properly maintained. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), tires, brakes, steering, suspensions, transmissions, and engines are common culprits.
Note: Lack of maintenance is not the same as mechanical failure. When a car is poorly maintained, the driver is aware that the car needs attention but continues to drive despite the danger. Mechanical failures are problems that are known to the car manufacturer but not necessarily known to the owner.
How Lack of Maintenance Causes Alabama Car Accidents
According to the NHTSA, improper maintenance plays a part in less than two percent of all car accidents. While this might seem like a small number, these accidents can be particularly dangerous. For example, failure to fix a bad tire can lead to a blowout or hydroplaning. Either of these can cause a driver to lose control and could lead to a deadly collision.
Many maintenance issues can increase the risk of an accident. Some of these can cause a driver to lose control. Others affect a driver’s ability to see or be seen by others. Some of the vehicle maintenance issues that car owners should consider are
- Flat tires
- Bald tires
- Engine issues
- Faulty brakes
- Broken headlights or tail lights
- Non-working turn signals
- Electrical malfunctions
- Flawed steering systems
- Malfunctioning wipers
These may seem like minor issues to some car owners but they are quite serious. Driving with bad wipers on a rainy day can keep you from seeing other cars, cyclists, or pedestrians. A broken taillight or turn signal can prevent the driver behind you from stopping, leading to a rear-end collision. So, when it comes to your car, no issue is too small to be fixed.
How to Know When Your Car Needs Maintenance
Three things should tell you that it’s time for your car to be checked.
First, owners should take their cars in for maintenance on a regular basis. On average, most cars need an oil change every 6 to 12 months, so this is a good time to ask your mechanic to give your car a once-over. You should prepare for serious repairs when your car hits 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 miles as these mileages usually coincide with the breakdown of crucial car parts.
Second, your car needs to go into the shop if it’s the subject of a recall. Sometimes, car manufacturers learn about defects in a vehicle after it’s been purchased. When this happens, they are required to send out recall notices. Recalls tell owners about the problem and how they can get it fixed free of charge. NEVER ignore a recall notice. Head to your mechanic or dealership right away.
Finally, your senses can alert you to issues with your car. For example:
- Sight
- Have you seen fluid leaking out of your car?
- Is there smoke?
- Sound
- Do you hear grinding, squeaking, or thumping noises?
- Smell
- Do you smell burning or “chemical” odors?
- Touch
- Do you feel a lot of – or a lack of – resistance when you press on the brakes? Do you have to use more pressure?
- Does your car seem to be pulling to one side?
- Has the steering wheel started to shake?
- Is your car vibrating?
One last note: If you like working on your car yourself, it’s probably okay to handle minor things like windshield wipers, oil changes, and broken lights on your own. But a certified mechanic should work on any major issues. A mechanic should also perform any work needed as a result of a recall.
How Your Maintenance Record Affects Your Car Accident Claim
Keeping your car in good condition is crucial for your safety. It could also affect your auto accident claim.
To win your car accident claim, you and your Alabama injury attorney will need to prove that the other driver was negligent. To do this, you’ll need to show that: 1) the other driver had a duty to be careful; 2) they did not fulfill that duty; and 3) their failure to drive carefully was the cause of your injuries. For example, all drivers have an obligation to obey signs and signals. A driver who runs a red light has failed to follow the law and therefore has not lived up to their duty. If running the red light caused them to crash into another car and injure someone, a Birmingham accident lawyer can probably be able to prove that they were negligent. If the injured person can prove that the other driver was negligent, they are entitled to compensation for accident-related expenses such as medical bills, lost wages, property damages, and pain and suffering.
All drivers have an obligation to keep their cars in good working order. A driver who got behind the wheel when they knew that their brakes were faulty could be considered negligent. If this happened in your case, you may be entitled to compensation.
However, the state of your car matters as well. In the majority of states, if two drivers get into an accident, the fact that either or both of them behaved negligently won’t stop them from receiving compensation. However, Alabama law follows a special rule called contributory negligence. This means that if the injured person is even 1% at fault for the accident, they get no compensation. If the other driver can prove that your failure to address your car’s maintenance issues played a role in the accident, they could raise contributory negligence. If they convince the court, you won’t get any compensation for your injuries or costs. This is a serious outcome, but it can be avoided by keeping your car in good repair.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me if a Car Accident Was Caused by Maintenance Issues?
An experienced Birmingham injury attorney can help you after an accident in many ways. After you hire a lawyer, they will investigate your claim. During the investigation, they’ll look at the other driver’s maintenance records to see if they kept their car in good condition. Lawyers also have a list of expert witnesses that they can call on to help them make a strong case on your behalf.
If you are looking for legal help after an accident caused by maintenance or other issues, contact Collins Law, LLC. Our firm has years of experience and a long list of clients who are satisfied with our compassion, communication, and results. We’d love to help you. You can schedule a free consultation by calling 205-588-1411 or using our website’s online scheduling tool.