It’s an all-too-common story: an irresponsible driver puts off essential vehicle maintenance even though they know it’s dangerous and then causes an accident in which someone gets hurt.
Negligent maintenance is a common cause of car accidents, and many states have vehicle inspection laws in part to prevent these kinds of accidents. Alabama does not require annual motor vehicle inspection, so if you’ve been hurt in an accident due to negligent maintenance, you should contact a car accident attorney in Alabama to learn how to hold the other driver liable.
Does Alabama Have Vehicle Inspection Laws?
Alabama vehicle inspection requirements are minimal compared to many other states. Alabama does not require most vehicles to undergo inspection but does require a motor vehicle inspection if:
- You are rebuilding a salvaged vehicle.
- You are registering a vehicle from out of state.
- You are selling or transferring ownership of your vehicle.
Although most vehicles don’t require inspection, it can affect a personal injury case if a car failed inspection and was then involved in an accident. For instance, if the other driver’s car failed inspection due to faulty brakes, but the other driver continued to operate the vehicle anyway, their negligent maintenance may have been a factor in the accident.
How Can Negligent Maintenance Cause Car Crashes?
All drivers are responsible for maintaining their vehicles in a safe condition to drive. Negligent maintenance can cause car crashes in several different ways, including:
- Faulty brakes can make it impossible for the driver to stop in time.
- Faulty steering can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
- Malfunctioning or burned-out headlights can make it difficult to see the vehicle at night.
- Worn tires can cause a tire blowout, which can make the driver lose control.
- An overheated engine can cause the vehicle to stall in a dangerous spot.
Who Is Responsible for Negligent Maintenance Car Accidents?
Liability can be complicated in negligent maintenance car accidents because more than one party may bear some responsibility for what happened. Liable parties can include:
- The driver, if they were negligent about having proper maintenance performed
- The auto mechanic, if they were negligent when repairing or maintaining the vehicle
- The car dealership, if they sold a vehicle that was not properly maintained
- A car rental company, if they didn’t maintain their rental vehicle
- The manufacturer, if the crash was caused by a faulty part
Contact Parker Trial Law for a Free Consultation
At Parker Trial Law, our primary focus is on representing the victims of serious injuries. Since our founding in 2016, Parker Trial Law has been dedicated to zealously representing clients in jury trials across Alabama, Georgia, and all over the United States. We have broad experience handling high-stakes serious injury and civil law cases in both state and federal courts, and our focus is on taking cases to trial. We do our best to treat our clients like family, and we try to maintain relationships long after a client’s case has been resolved. If you need an Alabama car accident lawyer, contact Parker Trial Law today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
