You could file an insurance claim or lawsuit against a car shop if a repair it made led to a car accident. Just like an at-fault driver could be financially liable for a crash caused by their negligence, so can an at-fault car shop. Negligence can involve using incorrect parts, refilling the washer fluid reservoir with oil, and many other errors.
A Florida car accident lawyer can determine how the shop’s negligence caused your accident and manage your claim. They will conduct a thorough investigation and consult auto industry experts. Many will represent you at no cost and fight hard for the best financial outcome for you.
Common Auto Repair Errors That Lead to Car Accidents
When you take your car to a mechanic, you expect them to make appropriate repairs. You certainly don’t expect your vehicle to crash because of a repair shop error.
Were you injured in an accident because of faulty repairs? If so, you can seek compensation for negligence. Faulty auto repairs include:
- Using defective parts (e.g., brakes, brake pads, and wipers)
- Failing to make, complete, or test vehicle repairs
- Fluid errors, including switching one fluid for another
- Failure to identify or correct a requested repair
- Employing untrained or unqualified mechanics
- Failing to test drive a vehicle after making repairs
You can pursue damages if you are the car owner or an individual struck by the incorrectly repaired car.
How to Prove Negligence by the Auto Repair Shop
A local car accident lawyer has an entire team and plentiful resources to work with on your case. Their investigation can result in a wealth of supporting evidence, including:
- Records of all repairs made to the vehicle
- Mechanic training and employment records
- Vehicle maintenance and repair records
- Police reports related to the crash
- Photos of the car before and after repair
- Pictures of the accident scene and both cars
- Accident reconstruction and video footage
Your lawyer will not tax you or your family to collect evidence. Instead, they will handle this task for you. They will also gather evidence you might find difficult to obtain on your own and use your evidence to fight for a settlement versus a trial.
Additional Parties Who Could Bear Financial Liability
If the shop made a repair error, your lawyer would pursue them. However, other potentially liable parties might include the maker of an auto part that contributed to the accident. Your lawyer will investigate all potentially liable parties on your behalf.
They can also help you report an auto shop that consistently makes faulty repairs that pose a danger to others on the road.
Compensation for Victims of Auto Repair Accidents
Car accident victims are entitled to recover economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages after a car accident are easy to substantiate. Your attorney usually documents them with receipts, estimates, or other paperwork, such as:
- Current and future medical bills
- Treatment-related travel expenses
- Lost income (e.g., wages and bonuses)
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage or destruction
- Diminished property value
Noneconomic damages are more difficult to document. However, a car accident lawyer knows how to calculate these intangible damages and will prove the monetary value for your:
- Physical impairment
- Physical disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
A car accident lawyer understands the settlement negotiation process and will deal with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Wrongful Death Damages for Surviving Families
If your family experienced the loss of a loved one in a negligence-based accident, you have our sincerest condolences. While nothing can atone for your loss, you can recover compensation for the following:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of a loved one’s income
- Loss of their household support
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of guidance
- Loss of support
A wrongful death attorney can help your family get back on its feet while coping with an unexpected loss. For example, they will help you file the appropriate legal action.
Let a Local Law Firm Manage Your Auto Repair Accident Lawsuit
Getting compensation for a car accident caused by a mechanical failure can be a complicated process. However, an experienced attorney can help you get financial compensation by:
- Investigating the accident in detail
- Investigating the repair shop in question
- Investigating the parts used in the repair
The lawyer handling your case will also manage your insurance claim or lawsuit by:
- Compiling, organizing, and submitting evidence
- Drafting and filing your insurance claim or lawsuit
- Interviewing eyewitnesses and repair shop employees
- Handling all case-related paperwork and communication
Once your lawyer completes their investigation and calculates your losses, they will contact the insurance adjuster to negotiate a settlement. They will update you on settlement offers and other progress in your case. With their guidance and support, you can maximize your financial recovery.
A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You File Your Lawsuit on Time
Adhering to the statute of limitations is mandatory for your auto repair accident lawsuit. If you do not file your lawsuit on time, the court will not let you file it, or the judge will dismiss it without hearing its merits.
- According to Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(a), you generally have two years to file your personal injury lawsuit.
- According to Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(e), you generally have two years to file your wrongful death lawsuit.
Another consequence of failing to meet the filing deadline is that the insurance company will stop any further negotiations. Why? Because you will have no legal option that compels the at-fault party to compensate you.
Contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato for Your Free Auto Repair Accident Review
If you or someone you love sustained an injury in a car accident caused by a flawed auto repair or defective part, the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato will help you obtain financial compensation. Our legal team will investigate the shop, document its liability, and pursue fair and appropriate compensation.
Contact our team today to learn more about auto repair accidents and your right to financial recovery.
