Most people assume that Baton Rouge car accidents are caused by distracted, drunk, or reckless drivers. And most of the time, they are right. But not every crash can be traced back to something a driver did wrong in the moment. Sometimes the vehicle itself is the problem.
If you were injured in a Baton Rouge car accident and something did not seem right about how our vehicle or the other party’s vehicle was behaving, mechanical failure may have played a role. A car accident attorney in Baton Rouge can investigate your accident to help identify all possible causes and liable parties.
When a car, truck, or SUV fails mechanically at highway speed, the results can be every bit as devastating as those of any other crash. Understanding the most common types of vehicle failures and who can be held responsible for them could make a significant difference in what you are able to recover.
Brake Failures
Few vehicle failures are as immediately dangerous as a brake failure. Brakes are expected to perform on demand, every single time. When they don’t, the results can be catastrophic.
Brake failures can happen for various reasons, including worn brake pads, a brake fluid leak, warped rotors, or a malfunctioning anti-lock brake system. These problems could result from manufacturer defects, a negligent vehicle owner, or a negligent maintenance and repair business. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer can help determine if a third party is liable for your injuries.
A brake failure accident often produces a distinctive crash profile, such as the absence of braking evidence before impact, high-speed collisions at intersections, or rear-end crashes in which the striking driver appears to make no attempt to slow down. These are the kinds of details that an experienced accident investigator knows how to look for.
Tire Blowouts
A tire blowout, especially at high speeds, can cause devastating injuries. Some blowouts happened due to underinflation, overloading, or hitting road hazards. Others may be caused by defective tires.
When a tire defect is the cause, the tire manufacturer may be liable for the resulting injuries. If a dangerous road condition caused the blowout, a government entity could be liable under certain circumstances. An experienced car accident attorney can help you navigate these complex liability issues.
Steering and Suspension Failures
A properly functioning steering and suspension system gives a driver control over where the vehicle goes and how it absorbs the road. However, a snapped tie rod, a failed power steering pump, or a bad suspension component can cause a vehicle to drift out of a lane, pull hard in one direction, or become impossible to steer during a turn or evasive maneuver.
These failures can be sudden and give the driver almost no time to react. They can also develop gradually. A driver who has been ignoring a persistent vibration or pulling sensation may not realize how close they are to a full mechanical failure until it happens in the middle of traffic.
In some cases, a repair shop that serviced the vehicle and failed to identify or properly fix a suspension issue could be held liable for any resulting damage.
Engine Problems
Engine problems during operation can result in disaster. Throttle control failures that cause a vehicle to accelerate unintentionally can result in deadly crashes.
Likewise, if your vehicle loses power while attempting to merge into heavy traffic or stalls as you approach a turn, it can trigger multiple vehicle crashes. If you’ve experienced this, a car accident attorney can evaluate your case for potential manufacturer negligence.
Liability For Mechanical Failures That Cause Car Accidents in Baton Rouge
Liability depends on the causes of your accident. Some potentially liable parties include another negligent driver, the manufacturer of a defective vehicle or vehicle component, or a negligent repair or maintenance shop.
At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we don’t accept surface-level explanations when investigating your accident. Our car accident attorneys scrutinize the facts to help identify all possible causes and potentially liable parties to help maximize your compensation.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident that you believe involved a mechanical failure, you need the assistance of an experienced car accident attorney.
At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, our team has a proven record of helping clients secure maximum compensation for their damages, and we are committed to doing the same for you.
Give our skilled Baton Rouge car accident lawyers a call today at (225) 999-1111 or complete the short form on our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.