Many drivers have a trusted mechanic who ensures that their car is properly maintained and well repaired. However, there are instances where a repair job causes more harm than good. If the repairs left your vehicle in worse condition than before and this leads to an accident, you may have a personal injury case against the mechanic.
Similarly, a driver who neglects to fulfill the maintenance requirements on his or her car may be liable for an accident that occurs due to vehicle failure. This means that if you are the injured party, you may be able to recover compensation for the losses you have incurred. Regular vehicle maintenance is arguably part of every driver’s duty of care to other road users.
In either case, you can contact an Abbeville faulty or neglected vehicle maintenance lawyer to help you build your case against the party you believe is responsible. A lawyer will investigate the cause of the accident to help you determine who is liable in your case. Reach out to an attorney from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777. We will give you a free case evaluation and may help you seek the justice you deserve.
Proving Liability for a Faulty or Neglected Vehicle Accident
Mechanics are responsible for carrying out the maintenance work on a vehicle and ensuring that it is safe for use when it leaves the shop. They must also provide a full report to the owner regarding the services and repairs performed, as per Louisiana RS 32:1263. Proving that a mechanic was liable for the accident is a bit tricky, but these documents can serve as important evidence in your case.
Many drivers trust that the mechanic did a good job and assume that their accidents occurred due to some other reason. This makes it easy for many mechanics and auto repair shops to get away with performing faulty maintenance and poor repairs.
An Abbeville faulty or neglected vehicle maintenance lawyer may be able to spot liability on the part of the mechanic based on an investigation into your case. This can include:
- Identifying the specific mechanic who did the repair work.
- Investigating the report of the alleged repair work and other services performed.
- Finding out if the repairs or services were performed correctly.
- Proving that the faulty repair job caused the accident.
- Showing that the injuries you sustained are due to the accident.
The same may be true for victims of accidents in which neglected maintenance is to blame. The only way to know if the other driver’s failure to maintain his or her vehicle caused an accident is to inspect the condition of the vehicle.
Evidence of faulty or neglected vehicle maintenance is hard to find, but a lawyer may be able to help you uncover the evidence you need to support your claim. Reach out to the team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today by calling (337) 777-7777.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientInstances of Faulty or Neglected Maintenance That May Cause Accidents
Faulty repairs or poor maintenance jobs—or a complete lack of maintenance—can lead to serious road accidents. Some examples of poor repair or lack of maintenance work done on a vehicle include:
- Improper servicing of brakes.
- Empty reservoirs for important vehicle fluids, such as coolant and power steering fluid.
- Failure to flush out old engine oil.
- Misalignment of the wheels.
The brakes may fail if the mechanic did a poor job of servicing them. A mechanic should make sure that the brake pads and fluid are in good condition before turning the vehicle over to the owner. Failure to do this can make them liable for an accident the driver may cause due to brake failure. Likewise, a vehicle’s brake pads may become worn and the fluid may dry up without regular maintenance, which can lead the vehicle owner to cause an accident.
Engine failure may cause the car to break down in the middle of the road, exposing the driver or passengers to dangerous risks. The steering wheel mechanism may fail if it does not undergo proper servicing. This may make it hard for the driver to control the vehicle while driving.
The wheels and axel of the vehicle are also crucial car parts that require regular maintenance. If the tire detaches from the vehicle at speed or suffers a blowout, the motorist can sustain serious injuries or cause a catastrophic accident by colliding with other road users.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientHow Comparative Fault Affects Faulty or Neglected Vehicle Maintenance Cases
If you get involved in an accident and you were partly at fault, you may still recover compensation. For instance, if you were speeding and the brakes fail, you may be able to pursue a partial claim against the mechanic or auto repair shop.
The compensation amount you can receive will decrease by the percentage of fault you have in the accident. This is according to Louisiana Art 2323, the state’s statute regarding comparative fault. The exception to the comparative fault system is when the other liable party acted intentionally to cause you harm.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientReach Out to Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
Recovering compensation after an accident that occurred due to faulty repairs from your mechanic or another driver’s neglect of maintenance is a tough process. An Abbeville faulty or neglected vehicle maintenance lawyer may be able to offer support and help you prove that the mechanic is liable for your accident and the resulting damages. Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 today and receive a free case evaluation.
