Motorists rely on their mechanics to fix problems like squeaking brake pads and identify anything else that might fail and leave them stranded on the side of the road. When mechanics fail to do their jobs properly, many motorists can get into a wreck, and innocent people get hurt.
Auto shops and individual mechanics owe their customers a duty of care, which means they must perform their jobs reasonably well. If you believe a mechanic has contributed to your crash, contact Lourie, Chance, Forlines, Carter & King today to speak with an auto accident lawyer.
Mechanic Negligence & Your Car Crash
We typically think of negligent driving causing most accidents. A motorist is texting and driving or talking to someone in the back seat, so they never see another car slowing down in front of them or a pedestrian crossing the street.
However, some motorists are driving very safely, but their car lets them down. Maybe their brakes fail, or the steering column no longer works. In other situations, a tire could blow because it has too much pressure or the tread is worn.
In these accidents, the defect on the car is to blame for the crash, and the driver might be innocent.
Identifying Defects & Fault
Defects could stem from manufacture or design, in which case the creator of the component part could be liable. But in other cases, nothing was wrong with the car when it came off the assembly line. Instead, poor maintenance is to blame.
For example, you might have taken your car to the mechanic because of a vibration on the front end. After looking over the vehicle, the mechanic says nothing is wrong, so you go home. Along the way, a tire comes off and you crash. In that situation, the mechanic could have overlooked what was really wrong.
In other situations, a mechanic identifies a problem but performs shoddy repair work. They might mount a part improperly, so it malfunctions, leading to a wreck.
It isn’t always obvious if a mechanic did their work improperly. We can look at inspection records and even look at the vehicles involved in person. You can also share whether you went to a mechanic recently.
Proving Negligence
Because mechanics owe their clients a duty of care, you can sue if they act negligently. You can also sue a mechanic if you were struck by a car that malfunctioned due to substandard repair work.
We rely on various types of evidence to establish negligence, including:
- A mechanic’s own statements
- Evidence from the vehicles involved in the crash
- Pictures of the vehicles following a collision
- Your own statements about what happened
- Expert witnesses who can explain what steps a mechanic should have taken
Proving negligence is difficult. Very few people understand how cars are supposed to work, but our legal team can coordinate with other mechanics to identify errors.
Call Our Georgia Car Accident Lawyers for Assistance
Car accidents are typically a blur. To determine whether you have a legal right to sue for your injuries, contact our firm to schedule a free consultation.