Mechanical Failures Cause Serious Accidents
According to a recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the critical reason for a majority of motor vehicle accidents is attributed to decisions made by one or more drivers. In that same report, mechanical failure in a vehicle is attributed as the critical reason for a crash in 2% (or 44,000) of accidents. Why focus here on car accidents caused by mechanical failure? Because that 2% figure is, as noted by the NHTSA, not fully accurate — the vehicle related critical reasons were mainly inferred through external visual inspection of the vehicle components, meaning the related statistics may not be representative of the role of other internal vehicle related problems.
In short, mechanical failures in vehicles may be a bigger problem than the available data suggests. Owners not maintaining their cars or trucks properly is a well recognized problem, and their maintenance failures can be what caused you to be involved in a car accident or suffer a serious injury. When that happens, you may have a valid claim against the negligent party — whether that’s another driver, a mechanic, or even a vehicle manufacturer.
The Top 3 Mechanical Failures That Cause Car Accidents
#1 Tires And Wheels: Flat or blown tires are a major cause of vehicle accidents in the USA. According to the Crash Stats report, tire problems accounted for about 35% of the crashes where vehicle failure was the cause. This makes tire failure the most common cause of a vehicle failure crash.
Two of the most common types of tire problems are blowouts and worn tires.
Tire Blowouts. Blowouts can happen for a number of reasons, such as a worn-out, under- or over-inflated tire suddenly bursting under pressure, tires being punctured by road debris, or even sudden severe temperature changes. Tire blowouts drastically reduce the ability to control a vehicle all at once, and the resulting loss of control frequently leads to serious crashes involving multiple vehicles.
Worn Tires. Over time, tires will start to wear thin and lose their tread. This can be a major problem on the road, as it compromises tire grip — particularly in inclement weather like snow or rain. Worn tires are more likely to slip, require more distance to brake, and aren’t as responsive due to their weak grip on the road. All of these factors contribute to accidents that could have been avoided with proper vehicle maintenance.
#2 Mechanical And Brake Failures: According to the crash stats report, brake related problems as critical reasons accounted for about 22% of crashes where vehicle failure was the cited cause. Defective or bad brakes are a major factor in rear-end collisions, where the inability to stop in time causes a vehicle to ram into the one in front of it. Brake failure can be the result of poor maintenance, manufacturing defects, or faulty repair work — any of which can create liability for the responsible party.
#3 Steering And Suspension Problems: Steering wheel columns have many sensitive parts that can break or wear out over time, compromising your control of a vehicle. The third most common critical reason for a car accident cited in the NHTSA report was a combination of steering, suspension, transmission, and engine related problems, accounting for about 3% of the crashes in the report.
Part of the reason these issues are rarely cited as the critical reason for an accident is that they’re harder to document and identify after the crash. Blown tires and worn brakes are easy to spot, but damage to the suspension caused by defect or wear and tear is much harder to distinguish from damage incurred in the crash itself. This is exactly why having an experienced attorney on your side matters — the right legal team will know how to investigate these issues and build a case around them.
Who Can Be Held Liable For A Mechanical Failure Accident?
When a mechanical failure causes a crash, determining liability can be more complicated than in a typical car accident case. Depending on the circumstances, responsibility could fall on the vehicle owner for failing to maintain their car, a mechanic or repair shop for performing negligent work, or even the vehicle or parts manufacturer if a defect is found to be the root cause. If you can sue a mechanic for negligence, for example, that opens up a different path to recovery than pursuing a standard insurance claim.
Sorting out who is responsible requires a thorough investigation, often involving accident reconstruction experts, mechanical inspections, and a careful review of maintenance records. It’s the kind of work that’s difficult to do on your own while you’re also trying to recover from your injuries, which is why having a legal team in your corner from the start makes such a big difference.
What To Do If You Were In A Mechanical Failure Accident
If you believe a mechanical failure played a role in your accident, there are a few important steps to take right away. First, preserve as much evidence as possible — don’t allow the vehicle to be repaired or disposed of before it can be inspected. Take photos of all vehicles involved, the road conditions, and any visible damage. Gather contact information from witnesses and request a copy of the police report.
Then, get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Colorado puts a deadline on when you can file a claim, so time matters. The sooner your legal team can begin investigating, the better your chances of preserving the evidence needed to build a strong case.
Rector Stuzynski Law Firm is well versed in mechanical failure accidents that lead to devastating injuries or fatalities. We will examine the issues in your case and advise you regarding liability, medical claims, and your damages. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation with one of our mechanical failure accident attorneys at (719) 578-1106.
