When accidents occur involving vehicles that experience mechanical failures or break downs, establishing who should be held liable (responsible under the law) for the resulting damage can be a complex issue. Often in these situations, there are many elements to consider in regards to the resulting damage. The following details help provide clarity about the types of vehicle failure that result in car accidents and injuries.
Common Physical Injuries Resulting from Defective Vehicle Crashes
Defective vehicles can cause crashes in several ways. Two of the most common ways include:
- When a defective vehicle is the primary cause of a crash. This might occur when the steering suddenly gives out, the brakes fail, or another significant problem makes it impossible for the driver to operate the vehicle in an intended manner.
- When a defective vehicle exacerbates the damage caused in a crash. Sometimes a motorist would have been in an accident despite the failure, but the vehicle’s defect causes the crash to end up much more serious than it would have been otherwise.
Common Causes of Vehicles Breakdowns
Many guidelines exist that govern vehicle maintenance, including the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and vehicles still experience difficulty with operation for several reasons. Some of the most common operational problems that motor vehicles encounter include:
- Tire failure is one of the most common reasons why vehicles break down and end up in crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has even found that 35% of all mechanical failure accidents involve tire and wheel problems. The two most common types of tire failures include tire blowouts and tires that wear out and lose their tread.
- Brake pads are a major factor in many rear-end collisions involving vehicle failure. Some of the most common reasons why brakes fail to work as intended include faulty or worn brake lines, malfunctioning antilock brake systems, and worn-down brake pads and discs.
- Steering and suspension issues represent a smaller percentage of vehicle malfunctions but often lead to devastating crashes. These failures can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles suddenly and unexpectedly.
- Motorists rely on headlights and taillights to ensure the greatest amount of visibility possible. Broken vehicle lights make your vehicle much more difficult to spot in the dark or adverse weather conditions. When headlights and taillights stop working suddenly, motorists can end up in deadly accidents because they cannot be spotted by other drivers on the road.
- Motor vehicle engines fortunately are designed to operate without needing much maintenance. When engines fail to operate as intended, they can leave drivers unsure of how to respond and ultimately end up causing deadly crashes.
Speak With a Compassionate Car Crash Lawyer
Car crashes involving vehicles that experienced mechanical failure are often complex. It can be difficult to determine whether the cause of a crash was negligence in maintaining a vehicle or because a product was defective. If you or a loved one has been involved in a crash involving a vehicle failure, you should not hesitate to contact an experienced attorney. Schedule a free case evaluation with an attorney at House Law LLC today.
Tags: auto accident, car accident, personal injury
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