Can Lack of Vehicle Maintenance Lead to Accidents and Is This Considered Negligence? 

Determining fault in a car accident due to lack of maintenance can be tricky. A thorough investigation must be conducted by insurance companies and law enforcement to decide if the vehicle owner is at fault for the accident. If car maintenance is considered the cause of the accident, the vehicle owner can face legal consequences. In this article, we'll highlight some of the reasons why it's essential to maintain your motor vehicle properly and how fault is determined in such cases.

What Are the Factors that Cause Accidents?

Unfortunately, several factors can come into play, which is why vehicle maintenance and vehicle safety should be a priority for all drivers. However, to give you a better idea of what this entails, let's discuss some of the factors that cause accidents:

1. Brake Failure: Worn-out brake pads or malfunctioning braking systems can lead to inadequate stopping power, increasing the risk of collisions.

2. Tire Issues: Bald or underinflated tires can result in poor traction, reduced handling, and an increased likelihood of skidding or blowouts.

3. Faulty Lights and Signals: Malfunctioning headlights, brake lights, or turn signals can compromise visibility, leading to confusion and accidents.

4. Engine Problems: Issues such as stalling, overheating, or sudden breakdowns can cause unexpected disruptions on the road.

5. Battery Failure: A malfunctioning or dead battery can cause unexpected breakdowns, which can be extremely dangerous on freeways or highways.

Addressing these maintenance issues promptly and regularly servicing the vehicle can significantly reduce the risk of accidents caused by negligence in vehicle maintenance. Adherence to recommended maintenance schedules are essential for ensuring road safety, even if it's to prevent a non-injury car accident. So, can lack of vehicle maintenance cause a crash? If you doubted it before, now you absolutely know it can. Let’s move on to understand the investigation process and what to expect.

Navigating California Car Accident Laws

Understanding personal injury laws in California can be quite overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to heal after sustaining injuries. Working with local car accident attorneys is critical to ensure you’re able to recover damages and receive the compensation you're entitled to. An established law firm in California will have a dedicated attorney who will take your case on a contingency basis and file a personal injury claim on your behalf. But the key is to reach out as soon as possible, as a personal injury lawyer can guide you on what to do after a car accident and walk you through the entire process from A to Z. Remember, since California is a comparative fault state, you can still file a claim even if you are 99% at fault for your injuries.

How Does the Process Work?

After an accident occurs, the involved parties will exchange information, and law enforcement may be called to the scene to document the incident; a police report can serve as a crucial document in determining fault. Then, the involved parties will file insurance claims with their respective insurance companies. Insurance adjusters will conduct their own investigations to assess liability and damages, looking for signs of poor maintenance, pre-existing issues, or mechanical failures that may have contributed to the accident. In some cases, insurance companies may involve experts, such as mechanical engineers or accident reconstruction specialists, to evaluate the evidence and determine the cause of the accident. These experts may examine the vehicles, review maintenance records, and provide expert opinions on fault.

Maintenance records can provide valuable information about when the vehicle was last serviced, what issues were addressed, and whether any recommended repairs were neglected. If the lack of car maintenance is found to be a contributing factor to the accident, the insurance company may determine that the negligent driver is at fault. The consequences for the driver at fault may include increased insurance premiums, liability for damages, and potential legal actions.

Do You Need Legal Help?

If you've been injured due to the negligence of others, contact us to speak with an experienced Panorama City personal injury lawyer. Yepremyan Law Firm has been representing clients throughout Southern California since 1998. With 24/7 support, we offer free case evaluations to better understand your situation and provide the legal advice you need.

*No Legal Advice Intended. This website includes general information about legal issues and developments in the law. These materials have been prepared for general informational purposes only and are not intended to be legal advice. Please consult an attorney for legal advice pertaining to any particular legal matter. Use of and access to this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader, user, or browser and Yepremyan Law Firm and any of its attorneys, employees, or associates.