Did Improper Vehicle Maintenance Cause Your Accident?
A car accident can easily upend your life. Few people are financially or emotionally prepared to handle the high and ongoing costs following an accident. It can be incredibly frustrating to have to rapidly adapt to life-altering circumstances, particularly while medical bills pile up. When someone else’s negligence or careless actions are responsible for your harm, it can be even harder to accept your newfound hardship. One form of vehicular negligence that you may not be aware of includes failing to properly maintain a vehicle. Failing to seek regular or necessary maintenance for your vehicle can render it dangerous to drive, and it can become a hazard for all other drivers on the road. If you were recently in an accident, and suspect that improper vehicle maintenance played a role in causing the accident or your specific injury, it’s important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible so that they can begin the necessary investigation. The information in this article is intended to be general, however, no two car accident cases are the same and vehicle maintenance cases can be particularly complex. If you would like personalized feedback on your case, you are encouraged to contact the experienced Maryland personal injury attorneys at Berman, Sobin, Gross, LLP to schedule a consultation.
When You Can Sue for Improper Vehicle Maintenance
Improper vehicle maintenance will not always be grounds for a lawsuit, and even in cases where it is, it may not be possible to prove it. In a successful case for improper vehicle maintenance, you must be able to establish that the vehicle owner was aware of an issue with the vehicle and was negligent in addressing it, such that the vehicle became dangerous to operate. Knowingly driving a broken vehicle is a breach of the duty of care owed to all drivers on the road, as it puts everyone at risk. When a driver breaches their duty of care, they become liable for any harm that occurs as a result of it. The next challenge then becomes establishing a causal link between the issue with the vehicle that the owner knew about and the harm that was caused in the crash. In some cases, that causal link may be very clear. For instance, if someone was notified that their tire pressure was low but they failed to take any action to remedy it, and then they were involved in an accident caused by a tire blow out, they would be liable for any harm caused in the accident. Additionally, any victims who suffered harm in the accident would likely be able to assert lack of vehicle maintenance as a basis for liability.
Schedule a Consultation with Berman, Sobin, Gross, LLP
If you have been involved in a car accident, you do not have to navigate the process alone. The experienced Maryland car accident attorneys at Berman, Sobin, Gross, LLP are ready to pursue all available avenues to get you the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. Contact Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP today to schedule your consultation and find out how we can help you.
