Taking your vehicle to the repair shop is crucial to keeping it roadworthy and in good shape. For most people, this can be a substantial investment. If the repair shop performs sloppy work or uses faulty parts in the repair that leads to a vehicle accident, you should be able to recover damages—particularly if you are injured.
A Los Angeles faulty or neglected vehicle maintenance lawyer can help you navigate this type of complex case. Call the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 for a free review of your case.
Signs Your Vehicle Might Need a Checkup
Vehicles are complex machines, and one mistake or oversight with maintenance or parts could have disastrous results. Most newer model cars have automatic indicators, such as a light on the dash, to let owners know there could be a problem, but older cars may not have the same features. Other signs to pay attention to include:
- Stalling or poor acceleration
- Difficulty starting
- Rough shifting between forward and reverse
- Loud, screeching brakes or brake pedals that are difficult to push down on
- Unexplained vibrations or sounds
- Worse than normal fuel mileage
Knowing that your car needs help is just the first step. Next, you need to find a reliable mechanic. Be sure to vet them properly before bringing your car in. Ask friends, colleagues, and family members for the name of a mechanic they trust. Read online reviews. Check that the mechanic you are considering has a certification, such as a National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certificate.
Common Faulty Vehicle Repairs
If you suspect something went wrong while your vehicle was at the mechanic, report it immediately to the repair shop. Some of the more common maintenance errors include:
- Installing an incorrect or faulty part
- Failing to adequately complete the repair
- Forgetting to change the oil filter
- Overlooking an issue that needs repair
- Leaving debris or tools in the vehicle
- Causing damage to another part of the vehicle
- Using remanufactured components
If any of these happen to you, the result could damage your vehicle, lead to the substandard performance of your vehicle, or lead to a vehicle accident.
For a free legal consultation with a Faulty or Neglected Vehicle Maintenance Accidents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Holding a Mechanic Liable for Your Crash
When neglected maintenance leads to a vehicle crash, the mechanic needs to be held responsible. The repair shop will likely do everything in its power to blame the crash on other reasons rather than neglected maintenance. That is why it may be helpful to work with a Los Angeles faulty or neglected vehicle maintenance lawyer who can help you gather the evidence you need to prove your case.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we can review your case and help you decide how to proceed. Call our team for a free, no-obligation case review.
Los Angeles Faulty or Neglected Vehicle Maintenance Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
What You Will Need to Prove to Help Your Claim
If you believe faulty or neglected vehicle repairs caused a crash and you are injured, you will need to consider the following:
- You will have to show that the mechanic and repair shop had a duty of care to provide you with auto repairs. This is relatively straightforward since you brought your vehicle into the shop and paid them for a service.
- You will have to show that the mechanic and repair shop did not provide the duty of care you expected. For example, this could be something like failing to remove foreign objects from the car or failing to replace engine oil.
- You will have to show that this resulted in a dangerous situation for your vehicle, which led to a crash that caused your injuries or property damage. An example might be bringing your vehicle into the repair shop to fix the brakes, but the mechanic did not make the necessary repairs. If the repair shop did not make the expected repairs and this caused an accident, you may be able to seek damages from the shop.
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When Commercial Companies Fail to Properly Maintain Their Vehicles
Commercial companies must follow strict federal regulations regarding the maintenance of their vehicles per the laws of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. They are required under law to regularly inspect, repair, and maintain all of the vehicles in their fleet. They should also keep records outlining all inspections and repairs. Their truck drivers are also required to complete daily inspections in which they point out any defects or needed repairs.
If a trucking company neglects proper maintenance and repair of its vehicles, and this causes a crash, they might be considered negligent and liable for damages. This can be difficult to prove, however, which is why it is important to have a lawyer on your side who can help identify federal trucking violations to help prove your case.
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Damages You Might Be Able to Recover
Vehicle crashes often have far-reaching consequences that can impact victims physically, financially, and emotionally. When it comes to a car accident, you may be able to recover damages through a personal injury claim and through a car insurance policy. When seeking a personal injury claim, these can include the following:
- Property damage to your car as well as any items that were in your car, such as a cell phone or purse
- Medical treatment expenses, including emergency services, any surgeries, health care appointments, prescription medications, medical devices, rehabilitation, and physical therapy
- Future medical treatment that might be needed
- Lost wages, including future lost wages if you expect to have diminished earning potential because of your injuries
- Disfigurement, including burns, scarring, or the loss of a limb
- Physical impairment due to diminished physical abilities, such as a limp
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death if a loved one died in the crash
Contact a Los Angeles Faulty or Neglected Vehicle Maintenance Lawyer
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is tough, and if you are injured because of an auto repair shop’s faulty or neglected vehicle work, your situation is likely even more difficult. To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our team members, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444. We are ready to take on the tough cases to help our clients recover the damages to which they are entitled.
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