The Importance of Vehicle Maintenance

In a recent article written by the Associated Press and posted on the Chicago Tribune website, it was announced last week that Ford Motor Company is recalling over 1.3 million vehicles, mainly in North America, due to rear suspension and transmission control software problems. One of the auto maker’s largest recalls, it will cover over 1.2 million Explorer SUVs ranging from model years 2011 through 2017. This recall raises concerns about the safety of drivers and passengers, as one of the main points of focus is how, “a fracture of a rear toe link significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.” Many of the recalled vehicles are select Explorers manufactured at Ford’s Chicago assembly plant between May 17, 2010 and January 25, 2017.

As mentioned in a previous post, a recent report from Consumer Reports highlighted the ongoing safety concerns that could come to light because of the lack of a clear policy from ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft regarding drivers who do not address any open safety recalls related to their vehicles.

In general, vehicle maintenance, including monitoring any recall issues, is an incredibly important part of safety for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians anytime a vehicle is on the road. The dangers of driving a vehicle that is not properly maintained can lead to some horrific consequences. In a tragic case our firm handled, our client was involved in a terrible accident that resulted in him losing his life. The crash was caused by a lack of proper maintenance of the defendant’s vehicle. Despite having had his car looked at and supposedly fixed at an auto shop, one of the wheels fell off from the defendant’s car in the middle of the road while he was driving on the road, causing him to strike our client’s vehicle.

With the general risks that can always be found on the road, an added potential safety threat such as a lack of vehicle maintenance is a significant concern. The problems that can arise from those who get into their vehicles without making sure that their cars are safe for the road can result in severe consequences. The safety of drivers and those on the road around them should always be one of the main concerns anytime a person gets behind the wheel. As a driver, it is that person’s responsibility to make sure that their vehicles are in top condition. A driver should always make sure that every preventive measure has been taken to ensure that you and those around you are as safe as possible.

In a situation where you are involved in an accident with a driver whose vehicle is not properly maintained, for example, if a wheel pops off from their car, there are several things to be aware of and to make note of.

1. The driver of the malfunctioned vehicle should have known that the vehicle was not in proper condition for the road.
2. If, as in the case mentioned above, the driver had the vehicle fixed up at an auto body shop, the auto body shop should have fixed the vehicle correctly and made sure it would not potentially be a danger on the road.
3. It is important to always preserve the evidence. In certain cases, there might be need for an expert to go through the evidence and determine exactly what happened.
4. Hiring an experienced attorney earlier on in your case will often be helpful as the attorney can determine any and all responsible parties, which can include both the driver and any auto shop or other entity responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle. This also allows the attorney to investigate the case sooner, including any evidence that should have been preserved.

Vehicle maintenance will continue to become more important as technology allows cars to become more advanced. With all of the technological advances enabling car manufacturers to offer drivers some incredible features, such as Tesla’s autopilot program, there also come new concerns about malfunctions. The fairly new driver-assist technology has given drivers significant comfort and benefits, but it has also opened the door to the possibility of new dangers on the road that once were not there. A majority of vehicles that offer features such as autopilot or other driverless programs depend solely on a system that is installed within the vehicle. Although these systems generally allow the vehicles to operate smoothly, there are always circumstances where the system might have some sort of issue which could then lead to hazardous driving conditions for the driver and others, creating a higher risk of car crashes. It is paramount that any driver with such a system in their vehicle makes sure that the system is always updated and less susceptible to and malfunction or system failure.

It is of utmost importance that any driver makes sure their vehicle is in a condition suitable for the road. Safety should always be a priority and all those who choose to be on the road should make sure that their vehicles will not be a danger to themselves or others.