Thorough safety checks may save your life in the case of a car accident.
It’s important that you regularly conduct thorough safety checks, as these measures may help you avoid a car accident. You may want to periodically check your car’s tire pressure and tread, brakes, headlights, taillights, oil, and windshield wipers.
If any of these parts are broken or defective, you could suffer injuries in a serious accident. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, about 33,000 crashes occur annually because of tire issues. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also reports that brake failure caused 22 percent of all collisions in a recent data year.
A car accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato is ready to work with you in the aftermath of a car accident. If you suffered injuries in an accident that another party caused, we will fight for the justice you deserve. Reach out to us at (954) 633-8270 to learn your legal options.
Regularly Checking Your Car’s Parts May Help Prevent a Crash
You should routinely check on how well your car is functioning. Most of the time, you should get your car serviced every 12 months, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). In between service appointments, however, our car accident lawyer recommends you make it a habit to check how well the following parts are functioning:
- Tires: As your tires wear down, they may be more likely to blow out, leading to an accident. Your tires should have sufficient tread and be properly inflated. Many car systems will let you know when your tires need to be inflated. It’s crucial that you pay attention to the quality of your tires, especially if you anticipate driving long hours or in poor weather conditions.
- Brakes: If you notice that your brake pedal feels loose, you may need to have your vehicle inspected. You need functioning brakes to avoid accidents.
- Lights: Both your headlights and taillights should be in working order if you hope to avoid accidents. If other drivers can’t see your car at night or while it’s raining, you could suffer serious injuries in a collision.
- Oil: Without oil, your car may have trouble running. Oil is necessary to help the parts of your engine move.
- Windshield wipers: You must be able to see out of your car’s front windshield to drive properly. Without functioning wipers, you won’t be able to see well while driving in the rain.
If you are not sure when your car needs to be serviced, get in touch with your dealership or the technician who services your car. They will conduct safety checks that can prevent you from suffering an accident.
Who Is Liable for an Accident Caused by a Faulty Car Part?
If you were hurt in an accident caused by a malfunctioning vehicle component, we can help you take legal action and pursue compensation. Yet, we can’t pursue compensation until we know who was responsible for causing the accident. There may be several liable parties in your car accident case.
Some potentially liable parties include:
- The vehicle’s driver, if they knew (or should have known) about a malfunctioning part and did nothing to fix it
- The maintenance technician, if their oversight was the reason the car was not functioning properly
- The auto parts manufacturer, if they improperly built a part that caused you to suffer injuries in an accident
Our Team Can Prove the Responsible Party’s Negligence After a Car Accident
To prove that the liable party owes you compensation, we will satisfy the following elements of negligence:
- Duty of care: The responsible party had a duty to keep you safe.
- Breach of duty: They did not uphold their duty of care.
- Causation: Their negligence was the cause of your accident.
- Damages: You suffered damages as a result of the accident.
We can use evidence, such as a police report and photos and videos from the accident scene, to prove you deserve compensation.
What Else Can You Do to Avoid a Car Accident?
Beyond conducting thorough safety checks, there are a few other things you can do to avoid a car accident. These considerations include:
- Keeping your eyes on the road at all times: Stay off your cell phone and avoid other distractions, like changing the car’s radio while you are driving.
- Making sure you get enough rest before driving: Drowsy driving can lead to car accidents. You do not want to injure yourself or others by falling asleep at the wheel.
- Adjusting your speed to the weather conditions: If it’s raining while you’re driving, you should adjust your speed to avoid losing control of the vehicle.
- Using signals correctly: Every time you change lanes or make a turn, you must use your turn signal.
Contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato After a Car Accident
If you suffered injuries in a car accident, our team can help you pursue compensation. We have 75 years of legal experience, and we know how to fight for justice on behalf of our injured clients.
We can start working for you when you call us. Dial (954) 633-8270 to get started on your case with a free consultation. Contact us today.
