Accident Compensation Mechanical Failure

When a vehicle malfunctions and that malfunction contributes to or causes an accident, compensation for mechanical failure is available to injured victims. These defects can range from a manufacturing flaw to faulty repairs. This sort of claim of course requires proving the defect and its fault, which is why it can be important to hire an experienced Phoenix car accident attorney to handle your case.

Mechanical Failure in Accidents

Mechanical failures are what they sound like: instances in which a part of a vehicle doesn’t work as intended. Some failures occur in construction, others stem from incorrect repair, and others are the result of neglect. 

They can also occur spontaneously, such as a tire bursting, or can appear over time, like a hairline fracture expanding until it separates. The most common culprits when it comes to mechanical issues causing accidents are tires and brakes.

Common Types of Mechanical Failures that Lead to Accidents

Any driver knows there are many things that can go wrong with a car. However, some parts are more likely to fail and cause accidents than others.

Tires

Tires can blow out or treads can separate, leading to sudden and dangerous loss of control. A tire going flat when you’re speeding down the highway can get bad quickly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 35% of accidents that happen because of mechanical failure took place because of tire issues.

Brakes

The NHSTA says brake failure is responsible for about 22% of accidents caused by mechanical issues. These failures can include worn brake pads, defective anti-lock systems, and leaking brake fluid.

Lights and Signals

When the drivers around you can’t predict what you’re going to do, the road gets a lot more dangerous. Non-functional brake lights, faulty turn signals, and malfunctioning headlights all contribute to accidents.

There are many complex moving parts in cars, and these are just some of the things that can suffer mechanical failure. When you consider that in Arizona, there are more than 100,000 automobile crashes a year, it’s easy to see how dangerous these malfunctions can be.

Most Common Mechanical Failures Causing Car Accidents (NHTSA Data)

Who’s to Blame?

If you’re involved in a crash attributed to a mechanical failure, it might not be your fault. Liability can lie with a number of parties, including:

• Vehicle manufacturer, if the part that failed was defective
• Parts manufacturer, if a replacement part was defective
• Repair shop, if a repair was completed incorrectly or a check up missed significant damage

This spread of liability is why victims sometimes sue manufacturers or pursue faulty repair accident claims.

Proving a Mechanical Failure

As in many traffic accidents, you need evidence on your side. This evidence can include:

• Vehicle maintenance and repair records
• Manufacturer recall notices
• Expert inspection of the vehicle

Keep this in mind if you’re a victim of an accident so you can provide a lawyer with the documents you’ll need to prove your case.

The Help You Need

When it comes to accident compensation for mechanical failure, you need an expert to help you navigate the legal side of things. Gage Mathers has experience to win compensation and the track record to prove it. Whether you have a head-on collision injury claim or need someone to help show a mechanical failure was to blame, we can help!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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