Why Failing To Maintain A Vehicle Can Be Considered Negligence
There are many reasons why car accidents happen in the United States. Unfortunately, most car accidents are caused by acts that people can avoid. Most motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. happen because of negligence. For example, according to the CDC, more than 3,000 people die in accidents involving a distracted driver every year. Other negligent acts that cause auto accidents in the U.S. include speeding, drunk driving, reckless driving, and failure to maintain vehicles. Read on to learn more about why failing to maintain a vehicle can be considered negligence.
How Failing To Maintain a Vehicle Can Spell Negligence
If you are a driver in Florida or anywhere else in America, you have certain duties you need to uphold on the road. As a driver, you have a duty of reasonable care. Often, people assume that this duty only includes not driving while impaired, avoiding distracted driving, and obeying speed limits. This is not the case. This duty includes any reasonable action that can prevent accidents and injuries to others, including maintaining a vehicle when the need to do so arises.
So, how can the failure to maintain a vehicle spell negligence? Failing to maintain a vehicle is a breach of the duty of reasonable care that drivers owe other road users. And a breach of a duty of care translates to negligence. Thus, a driver who knowingly (which is usually the case) operates a vehicle with critical components in poor condition is negligent.
Why Routine Vehicle Maintenance Is Important
According to experts, a car should be serviced every 12,000 miles or twelve months (whichever happens first). However, if your car’s self-diagnostic system or the factory-recommended maintenance in the owner’s manual or service booklet for your car tells you to service your car before 12,000 miles have been covered or 12 months have passed since the last service, ensure you do so.
Keeping a vehicle well maintained can prevent mechanical failures that can cause accidents. In other words, regular car maintenance can increase safety. For example, regular car maintenance can help identify defective car parts on time. Apart from that, regular and proper maintenance of your car can help reduce the probability of a breakdown and keep your car performing at its best. Additionally, keeping a vehicle well maintained can help save money. If you take care of your car, you can prevent costly issues from arising. For example, when you keep your car well maintained, you can avoid costly repairs and accidents.
Contact Us for Legal Help
After suffering injuries because of a driver who failed to keep their vehicle properly maintained, you can recover damages for your injuries and damages. However, to increase your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve, you need to retain a skilled attorney. Our Miami personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you recover the compensation you deserve after suffering injuries in a Florida auto accident because of a driver who failed to maintain their car. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Tampa, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Ocala, and West Palm Beach areas.
Resource:
cdc.gov/transportationsafety/distracted_driving/index.html#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%2C%20over,a%20distracted%20driver%20in%202019.&text=About%201%20in%205%20of,or%20otherwise%20outside%20a%20vehicle.