Owning a car is more than a convenience. It’s a responsibility. From its safe operation to its proper maintenance, car owners and operators have an obligation to themselves and others on the road to ensure everyone’s safety. However, when vehicles are poorly maintained, mechanical failures on the road can lead to minor fender benders or fatal collisions.
If you have been the victim of a car accident in Fort Lauderdale caused by a negligent driver’s failure to properly maintain their vehicle, you could seek compensation for your losses. Your compensation could cover medical expenses, lost wages, and possibly more, depending on the circumstances in your case.
TheFort Lauderdale car accident attorneys with our law firm discuss the common types of car accidents caused by poor vehicle maintenance.
How Poor Car Maintenance Leads to Accidents
Your car is a large mechanical device with a multitude of systems and moving parts. The engineering involved is truly amazing, but eventually, parts break down. To be a responsible car owner, owners must regularly service and maintain their car. A lapse in judgment or procrastination can lead to devastating consequences on the road.
Car accidents due to poor maintenance are often sudden. Other drivers around the failing vehicle are forced to react quickly, and regretfully, many of them are unable to avoid a collision. Though the accident may happen suddenly, an accident caused by poor maintenance is rarely unexpected.
The following are the most common causes of car accidents due to mechanical failures and poor vehicle maintenance:
Tire Blowouts
Tires are designed to grip the road, providing traction for the driver, maintaining control of their vehicle. However, when the treads are worn and the tires are flat, they become less effective. In essence, the driver loses a critical component in the control of their car.
If the bad tires become too worn, there’s a greater risk of a blowout. This violent event not only jars the driver, possibly causing them to lose control of their vehicle, but the rubber of the tire is also thrown into other lanes, causing an additional hazard.
Brake Failures
Brakes are also a critical component for control. When the brake pads are worn down, and the caliper starts grinding on the disc, the ability to stop the vehicle effectively is greatly reduced. Unable to reduce speed, a faulty brake can lead torear-end collisions and multi-car pileups.
Steering and Suspension Problems
Power steering systems must also be regularly serviced. Failure to maintain steering fluids, drive belts, and power pumps can all contribute to a loss of control. When this system fails, steering can either lock up or, in some cases, become loose and sloppy. Drivers can find themselves suddenly swerving into another lane or unable to make complete turns.
In addition to the steering system, misaligned suspensions can also lead to multiple issues. Poor suspension can lead to excessively bumpy rides, vehicles pulling in one direction, and uneven tire wear, all of which can contribute to accidents.
Faulty Lights and Signals
Florida has multiple statutes that address the requirement of functioning lights and signals. Failure to maintain head and brake lights can lead to accidents, especially at night and during low visibility. These accidents often involve rear-end collisions and side impacts.
If the other driver failed to turn on theirheadlights, use aturn signal, or have workingbrake lights, they are negligent.
Engine or Transmission Failure
Moving steel parts require lubrication to reduce wear and tear. If the vehicle’s fluids are not replaced regularly, they lose their viscosity (become thinner) and effectiveness. Failure to replace engine oil and transmission fluids will cause major malfunctions. Vehicles may stall or stop altogether in traffic, causing road hazards and possibly leading to chain reaction crashes.
Failure to have any of these systems properly inspected and maintained regularly shows a lack of reasonable care by the vehicle owner.
Who May Be Liable When Poor Maintenance Causes a Crash
Ultimately, the driver who hit you is primarily responsible, whether it was due to the car malfunctioning or not. However, certain conditions could shift or share responsibility with other parties:
- Another driver: If a vehicle is broken down, other drivers still have a legal obligation to avoid a collision with it.
- Auto shops and mechanics: If a recent repair failed to address a faulty issue, a mechanic or auto shop may be partially at fault.
- Employers and commercial carriers: If the vehicle was part of a fleet or a company car, the company or employer may be liable for any injuries.
- Manufacturer: If the vehicle or part had a defect, such as abad tire, the manufacturer could be held strictly liable for the accident their defective part caused.
These parties may share in the fault underFlorida’s comparative negligence laws. Under this legal doctrine, fault is shared, presented as a percentage, and compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault each party holds in the accident. However, any party that is greater than 50% at fault may not collect compensation.
Steps You Should Take After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale
If you have been in an auto accident in Fort Lauderdale, there are certain things you can do, starting at the accident scene, to protect yourself:
- Call the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and seek medical attention at Broward Health or a similar hospital
- Document the vehicle’s condition and any mechanical failures you suspect, such as photos of the tires, leaking fluids, and broken or nonfunctional lights
- Gather witness statements and contact information
Then, before you speak with the insurers, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. They can start investigating your accident and securing evidence before it is lost or destroyed, such as subpoenaing maintenance records.
Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato Today
A personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale with Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato can help you identify the at-fault party in your car accident and seek maximum compensation for your injuries.
Call us today at (844) 643-7200 for a free case consultation and learn how a car accident lawyer can help.