In many car accidents, the underlying cause is a driver error. But, what happens if the driver’s vehicle suddenly malfunctions and the driver loses control? If this situation happened to you, a Meaux faulty or neglected vehicle maintenance lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers may be able to help. Our team can evaluate your claim and determine if you may have a viable cause of action. Get started by calling (337) 777-7777 and requesting your free case review.
How Negligent Maintenance Can Lead to Car Accidents
All vehicles require some sort of upkeep. If a car is not properly maintained or is otherwise faulty, it can lead to a vehicle malfunctioning and possibly causing a wreck, which may injure the driver, passengers, and other motorists.
Common examples of negligent vehicle maintenance may include:
- Failing to replace or properly inflate tires: according to Consumer Reports, vehicles that have lost half or more of their tread may lose their grip and can be downright deadly on slick roads. Additionally, not adding enough air to tires can cause increased resistance to rolling, while overinflating tires can lead to them being more susceptible to punctures that blow out the tire, according to Popular Mechanics.
- Not replacing brakes: brakes can be a lifeline if a hazard arises, but brakes that are not properly maintained may fail or cause the vehicle to take longer to stop. Popular Mechanics warns to listen for sounds of squealing brakes as an indication that they need to be replaced.
- Not properly correcting wiring problems: electrical wires can affect a variety of vehicle functions, including lights, horns, directional systems, and many more. If a car owner tries to repair their own wiring issue or uses a mechanic who is not qualified to work with electrical issues, the problem may not be fixed correctly and the vehicle may malfunction.
- Not using appropriate parts: A mechanic or novice trying to save money may use parts from another vehicle that are not meant for their specific type of vehicle.
If a mechanical issue led to your accident, you may have a claim against the party responsible for the repair. Contact us to learn more.
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.
ClientLiability for Faulty Vehicles or Negligent Maintenance
If an accident was caused by a faulty vehicle or negligent maintenance, there may be different people or entities that may be liable for the accident. Being able to recover compensation from one or more of these parties will largely depend on being able to show how their negligence contributed to the accident.
Potentially liable parties may include:
The Driver
All vehicle owners are responsible for maintaining their vehicles in a safe condition to prevent injuries to others. If a driver acts negligently by not repairing their vehicle when they knew or should have known there was a mechanical issue, they may be held liable for the resulting damages.
The Company Owner
If the vehicle that had the mechanical issue was owned by a company, such as a carpet cleaning truck, tractor trailer, or delivery van, the owner of the company is generally responsible for the upkeep of its vehicles. If they failed to properly maintain the vehicle, they may be held liable for accidents caused by the vehicle’s mechanical failure.
The Mechanic
In some instances, the mechanic may not have properly repaired the vehicle because he or she:
- Overlooked or did not notice an issue that required repair
- Left foreign objects in the vehicle
- Installed an incorrect part
If the mechanic acted negligently in his or her repair of the vehicle, the mechanic or mechanic shop may be liable for the accident.
The Manufacturer
If the vehicle or one of its components contained a defect, the manufacturer of the defective vehicle or component may be held responsible for the accident.
Negligent maintenance claims may be difficult to prove. A Meaux faulty or neglected vehicle maintenance lawyer may be able to investigate your claim to determine who may be legally liable for the damages you sustained. Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 for your free consultation.
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 | ClientDamages Possibly Involved in Negligent Maintenance Cases
Every accident is different, as are the potential damages that may be involved in a given case. The potential damages you may be able to recover compensation for depend on several factors, including:
- The nature and severity of your injuries
- The total costs of your medical expenses incurred because of the accident
- The amount of wages you lost
- Your degree of pain and suffering
- How the accident affected you
Some damages that may be recovered in negligent vehicle maintenance cases include:
- Ambulance costs
- Hospital expenses
- Surgery costs
- Follow-up treatment from a doctor
- Physical therapy
- Assistive devices
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
If you are filing a wrongful death claim because the accident killed your loved one, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Funeral and burial costs you expended on your loved one’s behalf
- Loss of support and society
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses paid for your loved one
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientCall Us Today for More Information About Your Claim
If you or your loved one was injured due to negligent maintenance or a faulty vehicle, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is here to help. A Meaux faulty or neglected vehicle maintenance lawyer from our team may be able to investigate your accident, determine all potentially liable parties, and pursue a fair resolution of your claim. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, so you do not pay us unless and until we recover compensation for your claim. Call us today at (337) 777-7777 to speak to a member of our team about your claim.