Am I Held Liable for An Accident if My Car is in Poor Condition?

For automobile owners, car troubles are often inevitable. They must be addressed and fixed as soon as possible, however, for the safety of the driver and everyone else on the road. If your vehicle is poorly maintained or otherwise unchecked and you get in an accident, you may be held liable for the damages. Here is a quick guide to prevent a car accident due to an underkept vehicle.

What Types of Upkeep Issues Lead to Accidents?

There are many vital parts of your vehicle that you must maintain. In many instances, drivers don’t need to do anything to ensure the condition of their vehicle except troubleshoot problems when they arise. However, it is important to routinely check the following components of your vehicle:

• Horn
• Brakes
• Taillights
• Headlights
• Brake lights
• Turn signals
• Windshield wiper
• Oil changes 

Overall, it’s important to ensure you keep-up-to-date with yearly state vehicle inspections. During these inspections. The mechanic will check the interior and exterior of your car, and test your vehicle to ensure it operates correctly. Another critical item is to ensure you have regular oil changes. It is suggested to have every 3,000 miles or every 6 months. 

In addition, drivers must check the status of their tires. If they are underinflated, it will make it hard to move the vehicle. If they are over-inflated, it can result in a blowout while driving. It is also necessary to ensure the functionality of all lights, and the security of your seatbelts, to prevent being held liable in the event of a collision. There are a few different types of liability policies a driver must consider regarding the condition of their vehicle. 

What is a Repair Shop’s Liability? 

When an automobile owner takes their vehicle into the shop for repairs, it is the business’s responsibility to assure the repairs are executed thoroughly and properly. A nut or bolt left loose on a tire could lead to a serious crash that would result in injuries and property damage to the driver and all other parties involved. In this instance, the repair shop could be held legally liable for damages for all impacted parties.

When a vehicle’s airbag is deployed, a driver must take it to a repair shop to have it replaced. If they did not deploy, the shop should at least check the sensor to make sure it is in proper working condition. If that same vehicle is involved in another accident and the driver or passengers are injured due to failed airbag deployment, the repair shop could also be held legally liable for damages.

Can a Dealership Be Liable? 

Liability for poor automobile condition may also extend to the dealership where the vehicle was sold or leased. This could apply if there was an issue with the vehicle known by the dealership and it was not communicated to a customer before selling or leasing it.

What Should You Know About a Manufacturer’s Liability? 

In rare cases, a manufacturer defect in a vehicle may be the root of an accident. If the manufacturer fails to notify vehicle owners and dealerships about the issue and an accident occurs, they can be held legally liable for damages.

Manufacturer defects could be found in the following places:

• Tires
• Brakes
• Transmission
• Power steering

We Are Here To Help

There are countless ways you can prevent a car accident. but the unthinkable can still occur at any time. When it happens, you may find yourself shaken and not knowing where to turn. That’s where your attorneys at The Goss Law Firm step in and guide you every step of the way towards compensation, healing and justice. Submit a free consultation form on our website or call our office toll-free at 816-888-5000 for a complimentary review of your case today.