When most of us think about common causes of car accidents and motorist negligence, we think about behaviors like reckless driving, aggressive driving, drunk driving, and distracted driving. We often imagine that the driver’s negligent or careless behavior occurred while that driver was operating a vehicle involved in a collision.
Yet driver negligence can extend beyond operating a car or truck. According to a recent NBC News report, poor car maintenance has actually been linked to a rise in deadly accidents in Ohio. Here is what you need to know.
Ohio State Highway Patrol Links Poor Maintenance to Car Wrecks
According to the report, the Ohio State Highway Patrol says that “poor vehicle maintenance” is “a contributing factor to the recent rise in fatal wrecks in Ohio.” In total, more than 6,400 collisions between 2017 and 2019 have been attributed to negligent vehicle maintenance. In those collisions, 35 people were killed.
The biggest problem is “blown tires.” Motorists are not replacing their tires like they should, and they are not having them repaired when it is necessary. According to one lieutenant with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, “visibly balding tires are cause for a patrolman to pull over a car, have it towed, and to have the driver cited.”
Yet knowing that tires are in poor shape does not prevent drivers from getting on the road. Beyond tires, failing to have other maintenance issues checked out, or to have a vehicle regularly maintained, can also result in a serious accident.
Who is Responsible for Negligent Car Maintenance?
If you are wondering who is liable for negligent car maintenance, the answer depends upon a couple of different issues. First, did the owner of the car regularly take the vehicle for inspections and maintenance? And if so, was the mechanic who performed that maintenance negligent? In such a scenario, the mechanic or the shop where the vehicle was inspected may be responsible for injuries in a collision.
However, if the owner of the car or truck failed to take the vehicle for regular maintenance and the poor maintenance of the vehicle resulted in a crash, then the owner of the car is likely at fault. When negligent car maintenance is the cause of a crash, it is important to determine who was negligent. In some scenarios, the driver will be a person who borrowed the car, and that driver may not bear any responsibility for the collision.
Call Me to Learn More About Filing a Car Accident Claim
When another party’s negligence results in car accident injuries, I know how important it is for the injury victims to get the financial compensation they need and deserve. There is no excuse for a motorist to drive a poorly maintained vehicle on Ohio roads and highways that puts other drivers and their vehicle occupants at risk of a serious or fatal injury.
If you were involved in a collision caused by negligent car maintenance and another vehicle owner is at fault, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Give me a call today at 877.944.4373 to discuss your options for seeking financial compensation.
