Not taking care of your vehicle can put you into a bit of hot water if it happens to be the cause of your accident. The worse news is that someone else not taking care of their vehicle can lead to accidents and injuries too. The best you can do is take care of your car and drive as safely as possible. Then, you can proceed about your day, and if you get into an accident at least take some satisfaction in the idea that you’re doing the best that you can.
However, when you do get into a crash because someone didn’t service their brakes or had a cracked reservoir and their car suddenly came to a stop, then call on a skilled Virginia car accident lawyer. It may be that the underlying mechanical issues caused the crash or that they were only a minor contributing factor.
What is a Virginia State Safety Inspection?
Virginia State is one of the few that requires annual vehicle safety inspections. This isn’t optional or negotiable, all motor vehicles registered within the state of Virginia must pass a vehicle safety inspection annually to remain on the road Korean every vehicle receives an inspection sticker that is shown on the windshield, so it is clear when a vehicle has passed its last safety inspection.
These safety inspections are extensive and they look at the brake system, lights, signals, windshield wipers, tires , fuel systems, steering systems, seatbelts, and mirrors. There are multiple areas throughout Richmond where you can get a vehicle safety inspection including most independent auto shops.
But the sole purpose of these inspections is to ensure that your vehicle is safe for you to drive and that it’s safe to be on the road for everyone else. Car accidents can happen because of poorly maintained vehicles. These inspections are likely the best way to avoid those accidents.
The Difference Between Unqualified Services, and Negligent Servicing
Auto mechanics are expected to properly inspect vehicles and diagnose any issue accurately. They must then provide repairs or maintenance to ensure that the vehicle is safe for the driver and the road. To set apart qualified from non-qualified mechanics, the state of Virginia requires a professional certification from ASE or the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
Having an ASE certification shows that you have at least two years of on the job experience and a two year degree in a related field. However even qualified mechanics can be negligent . It is possible that if and mechanics poor work was responsible for a crash to hold them or the auto shop accountable. Even in the event of a genuine mistake it is possible to explore negligent servicing as part of the fault of a crash. That is why it is so important to take your vehicle to a reputable auto shop.
Brake Failure and Following Too Closely
When brakes fail it often means that the driver cannot stop in a hurry. It may also mean that the driver can’t stop under any condition. Brake failure is different than a faulty brake system. Brake failure specifically refers to when a brake system is unable to function properly because of poor maintenance habits. The National Highway Transportation Safety Association determined in a motor vehicle crash cause survey that 2% of all car accidents happen because of brake failure.
However when it comes to determining fault in a car accident that involved brake failure there’s also the element of following too closely. You may need to work with a crash recreation expert to determine if the driver behind you would have been able to stop safely from their following distance if their brakes had worked properly.
Contacting a Richmond Car Crash Attorney
We understand that recovering as the victim is already difficult, but when you find out that the crash happened because of an avoidable situation the crash resolution process becomes more frustrating. When you go through the process of properly maintaining your vehicle, and someone else does not and it causes a crash it’s reasonable to be upset. At Virginia Injury Law in Richmond we help people get through these challenges and uncover the root of what happened in your accident.
Often poor maintenance only plays a small role in the fault of the accident. If that is the case then it may not be an option to pursue compensation from the mechanic, but the fault may go entirely to the driver and the vehicle owner. Call Virginia Injury Law to explore exactly what happened in your crash.
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