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While driving defensively is one of the main factors in avoiding a car accident, it should also not be overlooked at how critical vehicle maintenance is to staying safe. A mechanical issue should be addressed quickly. Ignoring vehicle alerts or warning signs and sounds that something is wrong can suddenly turn into a fatal crash. Victims who are injured in crashes should seek out the assistance of a Virginia personal injury attorney to find out what kinds of damages they may be entitled to pursue under Virginia law.
Safety Tips and Preventing Accidents
Vehicle drivers owe a duty of care to other commuters to maintain their vehicles and ensure it is in safe driving order. If a car owner’s failure to maintain results in a crash that injures victims, they can be held liable for any losses the victim suffers because of those injuries.
The following signs are issues that should be addressed right away:
- Warning lights: Look on the dashboard of most of today’s vehicles and you will see a light for almost every operating system, including ABS warning light, check engine light, electrical fault light, and oil warning light. Failure to respond to these or any other warning light alert can result in the driver losing control of the vehicle because it is not operating as it should.
- Tires: Most vehicles today also have warning lights to alert a driver that the tire pressure on one or more tires is low. When this light comes on, drivers should add the proper air that is needed. If the vehicle is an older model and does not have this option, drivers should periodically check the tire pressure manually. In addition to making sure the pressure is at the manufacturer’s recommendation, it is critical to also make sure the tire tread is not worn down and there are no cracks or dry rot. Worn down tires can result in blowouts, causing the driver to lose control and crash.
- Windshield wipers: One very inexpensive and what seems minor equipment on a vehicle are the windshield wipers. However, the cost of leaving worn wipers on a vehicle can be extremely high, resulting in crashes that cause serious injuries and death. Wipers are critical to a driver’s visibility in the event of bad weather, so it is important to inspect them periodically and replace them when they start to fray or wear down.
Call Our Office Today
Car crash victims often suffer from injuries that require a long-term recovery process. This often involves high medical expenses, as well as lost wages from work, and pain and suffering. And it is not uncommon for victims to suffer life-long damage from these injuries.
Insurance companies will often try to pressure car crash victims to settle their claims quickly and for much less than what the victim deserves. That is why it is critical to contact a skilled Virginia car accident attorney immediately following a collision for advice and direction. Call our office today to schedule a free and confidential consultation. For more information, download our free guide to car crash injuries in Virginia.
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