Common Mechanical Failures that Lead to Car Accidents

Nov 29, 2022

At the Dressie Law Firm, we deal with all types of auto and truck accident injury cases. Although most crashes are caused by negligence, some are caused by mechanical failures. These types of accidents are often the fault of the manufacturer or a mechanic who worked on the vehicle.

Mechanical failures put Georgia motorists and passengers at risk and can leave them with unexpected expenses and injuries to handle. Don’t delay in getting the help you need to file your claim. Our Atlanta car accident lawyers will work hard to maximize your compensation.

What Is Mechanical Failure in a Car?

A mechanical failure occurs when any component in a vehicle breaks or doesn’t function properly due to a manufacturer or service provider’s mistake. These mistakes can be related to manufacturing problem, low-quality materials, inadequate training on the part of factory workers or mechanics, faulty manufacturing processes in factories or fundamental design flaws.

In best-case scenarios, manufacturing errors just lead to inconvenient breakdowns or vehicle recalls. Unfortunately, mechanical failures can also occur while a driver is operating their vehicle, leading to serious accidents.

Whatever the cause, mechanical failures are inherently dangerous and can result in car accidents with irreparable consequences.

Examples of Common Mechanical Failure in Atlanta, GA

At the Dressie Law Firm, we’ve seen a number of car accident cases where mechanical failure was fully or partially to blame for accidents and injuries. While it can be hard to pin down the exact cause of a collision, our Atlanta car accident lawyers have experience investigating and accurately identifying the cause of crashes.

Tires

Mechanical failure in tires can potentially include improper tread separation, punctures due to improperly calibrated or damaged manufacturing equipment and defective design. Improperly mounting the tires or purchasing the wrong type of tire for your vehicle can also cause mechanical failure. Faulty tires can result in blowouts, veering and spinning out of control on the road.

Drivers trust tire shops to recommend and sell the correct tires for their vehicle. The tire shop may be partially or fully liable if they made a mistake installing your tires or sold you incorrect or unsafe tires.

Steering Wheels

Steering wheel failure could cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles. Safely maneuvering your vehicle may become impossible due to steering and suspension mechanical failure.

Steering wheel issues often go undetected because they are hard to identify as the sole cause of a collision. Investigation is vital in these cases since an accident caused by a malfunctioning steering wheel may initially appear like standard driver error or negligence.

Windshield Wipers

Faulty windshield wipers may impair drivers’ vision and make it difficult or impossible to safely operate the vehicle. If windshield wiper failure occurs while a car is moving in traffic it may not be possible for motorists to get off the road safely.

Brakes

Brake failure can happen at any time. Even properly manufactured and installed brakes become worn over time, but manufacturing or installation mistakes may cause brakes to wear or fail prematurely. Leaks can also happen within brake lines, which will drain brake fluid and limit their reliability or effectiveness.

Brake failure cases can become contentious, as manufacturers or repair centers may allege that the car owner is at fault for failing to keep up with routine maintenance and brake pad replacement. It’s important for lawyers to investigate these cases thoroughly to clearly show the driver wasn’t at fault for inadequate maintenance.

Engine and Transmission

Engine mechanical failure can look like stalling or total engine shutdown on the road. These breakdowns can happen because of low oil or defective parts in your vehicle.

Headlight and Taillight

Cracked or broken headlights and taillights make driving in foggy or dark conditions unwise for Georgia drivers. Your lights can burn out without warning, leaving you vulnerable to risks on the road. Headlight failure limits your ability to see the road, and taillight failure may increase your risk of being rearended.

The Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer that Fights for You

At the Dressie Law Firm, we represent injured drivers and passengers in all types of Georgia car and auto accident claims. Our team of experienced car accident attorneys will collect the evidence required to support your case and assist you in getting compensation for injury.

We’ve helped hundreds of Atlanta residents recover from unexpected car accidents and can help you too. Don’t wait to get started on your claim. Call 678-679-0569 for a free case evaluation.