What happens if you are driving down the road and your steering goes out or your brakes fail? Or, what if another driver hits you because your brake lights did not turn on when you hit the brake pedal? If you suffered injuries in a car or truck accident due to a faulty maintenance job, the responsible party should be liable for compensating you for your losses.
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we understand the frustration you must feel if the professionals you trusted to maintain your car failed to make your vehicle safe to drive. An Alexandria faulty or neglected vehicle maintenance lawyer from our team can defend your rights and help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Common Faulty Maintenance Cases We Take On
According to RS 32:1263, mechanics are responsible for maintaining safe vehicles and providing a full report of the work they complete. When vehicle specialists fail to adhere to safety standards, motorists get hurt. Our law firm has represented clients in numerous cases involving mechanic negligence. Some of the cases we take on involve the following errors:
Omissions
Today’s vehicles are complex. Therefore, diagnoses can be difficult. However, qualified mechanics should have the technology and training necessary to identify and fix problems with your car. So, if they overlook an issue or misdiagnose a problem, they may be liable for your accident.
Incorrect Part
Mechanics are responsible for knowing what is best for your vehicle. If they install the wrong part, it can cause a malfunction in one or multiple systems. Your accident may have occurred because the mechanic installed the wrong part in your car.
Leaving Objects in the Vehicle
Mechanics may leave bolts, screwdrivers, wrenches, or other parts in the vehicle. This can cause a major malfunction, which, in turn, may cause you to veer off the road or experience a collision with another driver.
Damaging the Vehicle During Service
You trust your mechanic to leave your car in better condition than before you arrived at the garage. However, in their attempt to fix your vehicle, the mechanic may damage a crucial auto part or system.
Regardless of what caused your car accident, you deserve compensation for your injuries and other damages. Our law firm can investigate your accident to determine what happened and who is to blame. We can establish how the mechanic’s negligence led to your injuries.
For a free legal consultation with a faulty or neglected vehicle maintenance lawyer serving Alexandria, call (318) 333-3476
Proving Liability in a Faulty or Neglected Vehicle Maintenance Case
Establishing liability after a car accident can be challenging if your vehicle was heavily damaged. You may have a difficult time proving that negligence caused the accident. We can help you obtain evidence to establish fault and liability and substantiate your claim. Evidence may include:
- Maintenance documents
- Accident reports
- Expert testimony
- Manufacturer recalls
- Clues at the accident scene
- Eyewitness statements
We may speak with an accident reconstruction expert or an automotive specialist who may be able to look at the evidence and testify on your behalf. We can also look at any video footage of the accident to determine how the accident happened.
The Process of Establishing Negligence in a Case Like Yours
There are several steps in establishing another party’s negligence. You or your lawyer will have to take the following steps to establish the other party’s negligence in your case:
- Proving duty of care: It’s necessary to prove that the other party owed you a responsibility of not putting you at risk of harm. For example, a mechanic is responsible for ensuring your vehicle is safe to drive after repairs, per your service agreement.
- Proving breach of duty: After proving the party’s responsibility, it’s necessary to prove a failure in that responsibility. For example, if your mechanic failed to adjust your brakes properly while repairing your vehicle, this is a failure in responsibility.
- Proving causation: Next, it’s necessary to prove that the other party’s failure in responsibility caused your incident and injuries. If your vehicle’s faulty brakes caused a crash, this is proof of causation.
- Showing damages: Finally, it’s necessary to show that you suffered financial or other losses due to the incident and your injuries. Your medical bills may be an example of your damages.
Those responsible for your accident should compensate you for your injuries and other losses. An Alexandria faulty or neglected vehicle maintenance lawyer can help you establish fault and liability in your case.
Alexandria Faulty or Neglected Vehicle Maintenance Lawyer Near Me (318) 333-3476
If a Commercial Vehicle Company Fails to Maintain Its Vehicles
Mechanics are not the only parties responsible for mechanical failures on the road. Commercial vehicles and trucking companies may also be liable when accidents occur. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets clear safety regulations for the inspection, repair, and maintenance of commercial vehicles. Failure to adhere to the regulations can put many people at risk of injury or fatality.
If you were in an accident due to maintenance neglect, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the motor carrier. We can help you determine if the mechanic, manager, owner, or inspector was responsible for your accident. In addition, we can negotiate a settlement with the liable party’s insurance company to help you recover your losses.
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Damages You May Be Able to Pursue
When assessing what your personal injury claim is worth, it is important to explore how the accident impacted your life and your family. You are not required to accept the insurance company’s initial settlement offer or consent if your claim is denied.
We can explore your potential damages to determine what you can claim. Potential damages in a personal injury case may include:
Medical Expenses
You may have paid out of pocket for emergency medical services or long-term care. Additional expenses may include doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitation, pain medication, or adjusted living expenses.
Lost Income
If recovering from your injuries put you out of work, you may be able to recover your lost wages, tips, bonuses, and/or benefits. You could recover future earnings as well. You may also be eligible for disability based on your diminished earning capacity. We can work with your employer to determine your total lost income.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering generally refers to physical pain and suffering you endured after the accident. However, it may also refer to emotional and mental pain and suffering. We can also explore other ways the accident impacted your family and consider damages like lost enjoyment of life.
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Damages You Could Pursue in a Wrongful Death Case
You may have lost a loved one in an accident due to faulty or neglected vehicle maintenance. If so, you and your family may be able to claim wrongful death damages. Although nothing could adequately compensate you and your family for losing a loved one, wrongful death damages can help you recover from your financial losses. Your damages may include:
- Funeral expenses
- Burial or cremation expenses
- Loss of future family income
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of parental guidance
You may be able to recover other related damages. A lawyer from our firm will help you pursue the wrongful death damages you and your family deserve.
You Have a Limited Time to File a Faulty or Neglected Vehicle Maintenance Lawsuit
If you’re considering filing a lawsuit, you should act right away. You have only one year from the date of your incident to file a personal injury lawsuit, per CC Art. 3492. Likewise, you have only one year after the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit, per CC Art. 2315.2. If you wait long to file the lawsuit, you and your lawyer may not have enough time.
Even if you’re not considering filing a lawsuit, you should still act soon to keep the option open. One of our firm’s lawyers can help you decide whether to file a lawsuit or an insurance claim.
An Alexandria Faulty or Neglected Vehicle Maintenance Lawyer Can Help You
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers works with victims of car accidents caused by faulty or neglected vehicle maintenance. Let one of our attorneys represent you and help you seek the compensation you deserve for your damages.
By taking action today, you’ll give us more time to build your case, collect supporting evidence, prepare responses to the other party’s insurer, and support you in other ways. Contact us today for your free consultation and case review.
Call or text (318) 333-3476 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
