CALL 916-777-7777
Youtube Facebook-f X-twitter Linkedin-in

Can a Mechanic Be Held Liable for a Car Accident?

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
mechanic-green-overalls-changing-tireMost vehicle accidents are caused by driver error, but mechanical failures can also cause accidents. This raises the question: Who is responsible for this type of accident? Below, the Arnold Law Firm’s Sacramento car accident attorneys discuss mechanical failures and whether a mechanic may be held liable for a collision. If you have been injured in an accident, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our legal team today.

Statistics on Mechanical Failure Accidents

When an accident is caused by mechanical failure, it is often the result of faulty brakes, particularly in semis and other large commercial trucks. Other common reasons for mechanical failure accidents include:
  • Faulty tires
  • Improperly-inflated tires
  • Mismatched tires
  • Faulty turn signals
  • Broken tail lights
  • Brake line damage
  • Damage to steering systems

How Mechanics Could Potentially Be Liable

Drivers are responsible for ensuring their vehicles receive the necessary maintenance and repairs required for safe performance. If a driver fulfills this responsibility and a mechanical failure occurs, the mechanic could hold liability for the accident. Millions of drivers trust their mechanics to perform appropriate repairs in line with professional standards to fix and prevent problems when their vehicles are out on the road. While some automotive shops post disclaimers absolving their businesses of liability if a vehicle they work on is involved in an accident, these disclaimers may not be legally binding if they are challenged in court. For a mechanic or automotive repair shop to be held liable, you must be able to prove certain elements existed:
  • The mechanic or repair shop owed you a duty of care, which is typically proven with evidence of a transaction between a customer and a repair shop.
  • The mechanic or repair shop failed to uphold their duty by acting negligently.
  • This negligence resulted in your accident.
  • You suffered damages as a result of the accident (medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering).

Examples of Negligent Repairs

There are many potential examples of negligent repairs or vehicle maintenance:
  • Purchasing or installing incorrect components
  • The use of defective replacement parts when performing vehicle repairs
  • Causing damage to any part of the vehicle while making repairs
  • Making incorrect or unneeded repairs to vehicles
  • Failure to identify the repairs a vehicle requires
  • Allowing untrained or unqualified technicians to perform work on vehicles
  • Illegal vehicle modifications
  • Failure to remove debris and foreign objects from a vehicle

Contact Our Licensed Lawyers for Help

If you were injured in an accident caused by mechanical failure, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The experienced attorneys at Arnold Law Firm have been representing injured clients for more than 40 years, recovering millions in compensation. Request a free, no-obligation consultation today and learn what legal options may be available for pursuing compensation in your situation. We charge no upfront fees and payment is only due if we recover compensation on your behalf.

Call (916) 777-7777 today.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.