There is no doubt about it: these are tough economic times for many Americans, and struggling to make ends meet can force people to make some very difficult decisions. If you are trying to decide whether or not to pay for car repairs when cash is tight, make sure you put your safety – and the safety of other motorists – on the back burner.
Below are five vehicle maintenance issues that, if neglected, can lead to serious car crashes:
- Worn brakes: whenever you have your oil changed (and yes, you need to do that, too) ask the mechanic to check your brakes and the brake fluid. If your brakes are worn or if the brake fluid is low or leaking, you need to take action. Worn brakes and missing fluid can compromise your ability to stop, which could lead to a major auto accident.
- Worn tires: if the tread on your tires is worn, your vehicle is more likely to hydroplane or lose traction, which can quickly lead to a traffic accident. Check to make sure that your tires are inflated according to the manufacturer’s specifications, and also check the tread. If the tread is worn or uneven, it is time to buy new tires.
- Worn out suspension and misaligned wheels: if your suspension is shot or if your vehicle is out of alignment, your car is going to be difficult to control. This loss of control may not be obvious during regular driving maneuvers, but if you need to steer or brake suddenly to avoid a collision, you might find that you are unable to avoid an accident. In addition, a worn suspension or incorrect alignment could cause your tires to wear unevenly – and as you know from item #2 this is not a good thing.
- Low or leading fluids: Low fluids can also lead to a loss of steering or control of the vehicle, and leaking fluids are a fire hazard. If oil, power steering fluid, transmission fluid or brake fluid leaks onto a hot part of the car like the engine or an exhaust component, they could burst into flames. It is very important that you check fluid levels and top them off if necessary and also important that you regularly check for leaks.
If you were involved in a serious motor vehicle crash and were injured because of somebody else’s negligence, then don’t fight for justice alone. The experienced attorneys at Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas can help you protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. Please contact one of their Northern Virginia offices to discuss your case for no cost or obligation with a skilled auto accident lawyer.
DULANEY, LAUER & THOMAS, LLP
Warrenton Office
98 Alexandria Pike, Suite 11
Warrenton, VA 20186
Toll Free: 888.907.2631
Local: 540.349.2631
Culpeper Office
209 N. West Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Toll Free: 800.741.1012
Local: 540.825.6046
