Most of us expect that there will be drivers on the road who operate their vehicles recklessly, carelessly, and without regard for others. What most of us don’t expect, though, is for our vehicles to malfunction, putting us and others on the road at risk of injury. At the office of Tetzel Law, our Massachusetts motor vehicle accident attorney can help you to bring forth a claim when faulty brakes cause a crash. Call us today to learn more about how we can help.
Injuries and Damages from a Faulty Brakes Crash
Faulty brakes can be terrifying. If your brakes—or the brakes of another driver—don’t work properly, it could mean a run-away vehicle, a vehicle that doesn’t stop in time to avoid collision, and, ultimately, a terrible crash. The severity of the crash will likely depend on how fast the vehicles involved were traveling at the time of the collision and the type of crash (i.e. rear-end crash vs. head-on collision). With that in mind, types of injuries that could result from a faulty brakes crash include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, bone fracture injuries, and more, including fatal injuries in severe cases. Monetary and non-monetary damages will likely include hospital bills, rehabilitation and therapy costs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage expenses, pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
Driver Liability When Faulty Brakes Cause an Accident
When faulty brakes cause an accident, a thorough investigation should be conducted to determine liability.
In the case of defective brakes, the manufacturer of the brakes or the vehicle could be held liable. In fact, in many products liability claims, the manufacturer is held strictly liable if the claimant can prove that a defect existed and that the defect was the proximate cause of injury.
In some cases, the driver of the vehicle could be held liable for the accident if the driver’s own negligence contributed to the problem. For example, if the driver failed to perform brake inspection services or maintenance services when reasonable and necessary, leading to the brake failure, then the driver may be responsible.
What to Do if You’ve Been Injured in a Car Crash Due to Defective Brakes
If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by defective brakes, one of the first things that you should do is call an experienced personal injury attorney who has worked on defective vehicle claims in the past. Your attorney can call in vehicle parts design experts, accident reconstruction experts, and other professionals who can get to the bottom of exactly what happened and who should be held liable. Your attorney will also be responsible for calculating your damages and negotiating your settlement.
Call Tetzel Law Today
At the office of Tetzel Law, our experienced Massachusetts motor vehicle accident lawyer can provide representation when you’ve been injured in a serious accident. To learn more about your rights and what to do after a car crash caused by defective brakes, call (617) 742-1700 directly or reach out to our firm online to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.