Sometimes major accidents are caused by catastrophic choices, and sometimes they’re made by smaller ones–ones you barely even think about. For instance, most people know that if they are speeding or driving under the influence then they could be found guilty of driving negligently. But have you considered that ignoring the “check engine” light or the “needs maintenance” warning could be just as dangerous? In fact, not only can foregoing proper maintenance on your vehicle be dangerous, it can amount to negligence. When a vehicle owner fails to properly maintain their vehicle or drives it knowing that there is an issue that needs to be addressed, they are effectively posing a risk to all other drivers on the road. This breaches the reasonable duty of care owed by motorists, and makes the driver liable for any harm that occurs as a result of their negligence. If you believe that failure to properly maintain a vehicle was a contributing factor in your accident, it’s important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. These cases can be complicated to prove, and can require thorough investigations by experienced professionals. The sooner that a lawyer is able to get to work on your case, the more likely you are to succeed in bringing your claim. If you would like to discuss the specifics of your case with an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorney, contact O’Donnell Law Office to schedule a personalized consultation today.
Vehicle Maintenance Issues that Commonly Lead to Car Crashes
Although it could seem harmless to put off worrying about the blinking “check engine” light for another day, it’s important to realize that doing so can have dire consequences. Below, we’ll look at some of the most common red flags that people ignore, leading to major disasters that could have been avoided with an annual visit to the mechanic or a reasonable amount of care.
- Issues braking. Issues coming to a complete stop should never be taken lightly. If you notice your vehicle taking a long time to come to a stop or pulling to one side while you are driving it, it’s important to get your brakes checked immediately. If you are experiencing these warning signs it means that your brakes could stop working at any moment. If you are traveling on a highway this could be fatal for you and other drivers as well, so make sure to be vigilant in assessing these warning signs and taking prompt action.
- Old tires. If you have failed to change or properly maintain your tires for a long period of time, they may not be functionally safe to use. You may think you are saving a few hundred dollars for another year, but you could end up spending hundreds of thousands if your penny pinching results in an accident.
- Tire Pressure. If you ignore a low tire pressure warning it can result in a blow out or affect the alignment of your vehicle over time. This is a really quick and cheap fix so there’s no reason not to take care of it next time you are at the gas station.
Talk to a Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been in a Pennsylvania car accident that was not your fault, and you suspect that improper vehicle maintenance may have played a role, our attorneys are ready to help. Schedule a free initial consultation with the personal injury attorneys at the O’Donnell Law Offices serving clients in Kingston, Wilkes Barre, Hazleton and Pittston at 570-821-5717 or online today. There is no fee or costs until we win your case.