Mechanical Failure Accident Claims

When mechanical failures in car accidents are involved, fault rarely rests with a single party, and proving who is responsible requires a level of investigation that goes well beyond a standard collision claim. Victims can find themselves up against a vehicle manufacturer, a repair shop, a parts distributor, or some combination of all three, each with legal teams and insurers working to limit their exposure. 

The best accident lawyers in Phoenix at Gage Mathers handle exactly this kind of complexity, bringing in the technical experts and legal strategy needed to identify every responsible party and pursue the full compensation you deserve.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Mechanical Failure?

Mechanical failures happen for a variety of reasons. There could be a defective part or a design flaw in the manufacturing. The owner of the car could have skipped required maintenance, or a mechanic installed a replacement part incorrectly.

Because there are many possible causes of mechanical failure, fault for an accident could lie with the manufacturer, parts supplier or distributor, mechanic, repair shop, or car owner.

How Fault Is Determined in Mechanical Failure Accidents

Does Insurance Cover Accidents Due to Mechanical Failure?

Someone who is injured in an accident caused by a mechanical failure can file a claim with their insurance company and/or with the insurance company of the party who caused the accident.

However, if your car stops working because of a mechanical failure, this is not covered by insurance. Depending on your policy, you may have access to roadside assistance and towing, but these are usually extra options that are added to insurance policies.

How Blame for a Mechanical Failure Is Determined

To determine fault in a motor vehicle accident, an attorney will review police reports, maintenance records, and opinions from experts hired to examine the circumstances of an accident. Based on the evidence, insurance companies and the victims’ attorneys may decide that there is one or multiple parties responsible for the accident.

In Arizona, when multiple parties are involved in an accident, each could be assigned a percentage of the responsibility. This means that if a mechanic is found to be 30% responsible, the vehicle owner is 20% responsible, and the tire manufacturer is 50% responsible, they would split the settlement according to these percentages. If the total amount of damages is $100,000, the insurance company for the mechanic would pay $30,000, the vehicle owner $20,000, and the tire manufacturer $50,000.

The Most Common Types of Mechanical Failures That Cause Accidents

Understanding what kinds of failures most often lead to serious crashes can help you recognize whether a vehicle defect or maintenance failure may have played a role in your accident. The most common causes include:

Brake failure: When brake pads are worn, brake lines are damaged, or a faulty brake component is installed, a driver can lose the ability to slow or stop the vehicle entirely. Brake-related failures are among the most dangerous mechanical issues on the road and are frequently tied to either deferred maintenance or defective parts.

Tire blowouts: A blowout can cause a driver to lose control instantly, particularly at highway speeds. These can result from manufacturing defects, improper installation, driving on severely worn or underinflated tires, or road hazards that expose an already-compromised tire.

Steering and suspension failures: Problems with power steering systems, worn ball joints, or damaged suspension components can make a vehicle impossible to control. Defects in these systems are often tied to design flaws or faulty repair work.

Accelerator malfunctions: A stuck or defective accelerator can cause sudden, unintended acceleration, leaving a driver unable to manage their speed. Several major manufacturers have faced product liability claims involving exactly this type of defect.

Faulty lights and signals: Defective headlights, brake lights, or turn signals impair visibility and communication with other drivers, creating serious collision risks, particularly at night or in poor weather conditions.

Why Preserving the Vehicle After a Mechanical Failure Accident Is Critical

In a standard collision, most of the key evidence exists in photos, police reports, and medical records. In a mechanical failure case, much of the most important evidence is inside the vehicle. This changes what you need to do in the immediate aftermath of your accident.

If the vehicle is repaired, scrapped, or returned to an insurance company before an attorney has the chance to inspect it, physical evidence of a defective part or faulty repair may be permanently lost. An experienced attorney will move quickly to place a legal hold on the vehicle and retain qualified mechanical experts to examine the failed components before anything is altered. Maintenance records, repair orders, and parts documentation should also be secured as early as possible, because shops and manufacturers are not obligated to preserve those records indefinitely.

This is one of the most time-sensitive aspects of a mechanical failure claim and a key reason why contacting an attorney quickly matters. At Gage Mathers, we take these preservation steps from the start so that the evidence needed to hold the right parties accountable remains intact throughout your case.

Turn to a Car Accident Legal Expert

If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident and suspect that a mechanical failure was responsible, you want to find a lawyer who is well-versed in Arizona car accident laws. There are many intricacies in this area of the law, and you need a legal professional like Gage Mathers who will aggressively pursue compensation for the damages you experienced (e.g., medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.).

The personal injury attorneys at Gage Mathers battle with insurance companies to ensure our clients receive the maximum compensation they deserve, and our Phoenix-based law firm has a proven track record for delivering results. We will handle negotiations with insurance companies and, if necessary, take cases to court to recover what you need to get your life back on track!

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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