Accidents can happen for many reasons, and unfortunately, the real cause is not clear at first in many cases. It is often only after the accident, during the proper legal inspections and investigations, that the actual reason comes to light.
One such cause is negligence during vehicle repairs or mechanical work. Mechanical negligence usually involves small errors that are easy to overlook. In the rush, many fail to notice the mistakes and take their vehicle onto the road. But remember, these small mistakes caused by these repair shops may seem minor, but on the road, these mistakes lead to serious accidents.
If a mechanic or auto repair shop failed to do their job properly, they can be held accountable. If you are wondering, “What kind of lawyer do I need to sue a mechanic shop?” the answer is that an experienced personal injury lawyer from your region can help.
In this article, you will learn how mechanics and auto repair shops can be negligent, the types of accidents that can result from faulty repairs, and the damages that may be recovered in such cases.
When Can an Auto Mechanic Be Held Liable?
A mechanic can be held liable when their work puts a vehicle and its driver at real risk. Negligence on their end happens when basic care is missing during repairs or inspections.
Below are some common examples:
- Faulty repairs: When a repair is done incorrectly, it can lead to serious problems later. For example, brakes that are not fitted properly, loose bolts after suspension work, or parts that are not secured fully.
- Improper installation of parts: Installing the wrong part, placing it incorrectly, or skipping important steps during installation is another form of negligence. That is why you have to be near the cross-check and get to know the parts they have worked on before taking them out of service. Even a small mistake from their end can be anything, even minor ones, that can affect how the vehicle functions on the road.
- Failure to diagnose the actual issue or to inspect incorrectly: Mechanics are expected to notice visible safety issues. If a vehicle is brought in for service and clear problems like worn brake pads, leaking fluids, or damaged tires are ignored, that is clear negligence. This mistake often leads to serious accidents.
- Substandard Parts or Poor Workmanship: It is always best to get proper information about the parts they are using. Because using cheap, mostly low-quality parts to save money can compromise your safety. Similarly, rushed or careless work, such as skipping final checks and test drives, clearly shows a lack of responsibility.
- Neglect and carelessness: You are paying for the repair, which means you have the right to question them if you are unsatisfied with their service. If you found them forgetting to tighten nuts, not refilling fluids properly, or failing to reassemble parts correctly, these are clear signs of carelessness.
These are basic errors that should never happen in a professional repair shop. Yes, negligence is not about intention, but it is about failing to do the right and proper job.
Accidents That Can Occur
Faulty repairs are serious. Negligence from the repair shop should not be taken lightly, because it’s your safety and the safety of others using the road. These are the common accidents:
- Brake failure: Sudden collisions.
- Steering problems: loss of control, leading to lane drift or crashes.
- Wheel and tire issues: rollovers or imbalance.
- Engine and electrical failures: crash risk.
You can recover these damages:
- Economic Damages
- Non-Economic Damages
- Punitive Damages
Key Takeaways
- Even minor repair mistakes that are not rectified can lead to serious accidents like brake failure, steering loss, or tire issues.
- If faulty repairs cause an accident, the repair shop can be held legally responsible.
- Victims can file for both economic and non-economic damages.
