When you visit a repair shop or auto mechanic, you expect them to provide a high level of service. And of course, you also expect that they’ll make decisions and repairs with your safety and well-being in mind.
But here’s the problem: Even if you have a recommendation from someone you trust, there’s no way of knowing if a repair shop or mechanic will do what they say. In fact, they could make a simple mistake that puts you at risk of a serious car accident.
What is “negligence” in a car accident caused by a mechanic?
Negligence is the foundation of your car accident-related personal injury claim. If you believe a mechanic caused your car accident, you must be able to prove that the mechanic had what is called a “duty of care” towards you, and that he/she breached this duty. You must be able to prove this before you can file a lawsuit against him and seek compensation for your damages.
When it comes to negligence as it relates to repair shops and auto mechanics, your goal is simple: To prove that the repair shop or mechanic acted in a negligent manner, which had a direct impact on your car accident.
In total, there are four points to keep in mind when proving negligence:
- The repair shop or mechanic owed a duty of care
- The repair shop or mechanic breached the duty of care
- The breach is directly connected to your car accident
- The harm suffered in the car accident resulted in damages
So, what is a mechanic’s “duty of care”?
This is what you really need to know. You must have a clear idea of how you can prove that a repair shop or mechanic behaved negligently.
When you visit a repair shop, you assume that the mechanic is licensed, insured, and has the professional skills necessary to provide the level of attention your car requires.
For this reason, it’s the responsibility of the mechanic to inform you when your car is fixed and if it’s safe to drive.
Here are some of the most common examples of a mechanic’s breach of duty of care:
- Replacing original parts with parts that are broken and/or incompatible with your car
- Performing the repair in a subpar or inappropriate manner
- Damaging other parts of the car and not fixing them
- Modifying parts of the car in a way that makes it less safe to drive
Note: If the repair shop informs you of another issue in your car, be sure to take it seriously. If you don’t, you won’t be able to hold them legally responsible if the issue they told you about results in a car accident.
Connecting the mechanic’s breached duty to your car accident and injuries
It’s one thing to believe that a mechanic’s breached duty resulted in a car accident. It’s another thing entirely to connect the mechanic’s actions and the car accident, to your accident injuries.
One of the best things you can do is document all of the work completed by the repair shop. This includes things such as the services provided, their findings, and the specific repairs they made.
Also, after the car accident, you should take your vehicle to another repair shop for closer examination. They’ll inspect your car, find any mistakes made by the previous mechanic, and provide you with information on how these mistakes might have contributed to your accident.
To help you with this, the Corpus Christi car accident attorneys at The Burkett Law Firm offer you an experienced team of professional accident investigators to examine all possible mechanical defects that could have caused your accident.
It’s important to be able to clearly link the mechanic’s mistakes to the car accident and to your accident injuries, because this connection will have a direct effect on the success of your lawsuit.
Don’t wait to get help for a car accident caused by a mechanic’s mistakes.
If you’re injured in a car accident, the first thing you should do is receive medical attention.
Not only does this help you better understand your injuries resulting from the accident, but it also puts you on the path to making a full recovery.
From there, turn your attention to the details of the car accident, including who was responsible. This is when you may begin to uncover the possibility that your auto repair shop or mechanic is to blame.
With the help of a Corpus Christi car accident attorney, you don’t have to investigate what happened on your own, or deal with difficult insurance companies. Instead, our legal team will manage everything, allowing you to focus on your health and recovery.
Every year, thousands of people are injured and killed in car accidents throughout the state of Texas. If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, and you suspect that a repair shop or mechanic is responsible, don’t be just another crash statistic. Contact The Burkett Law Firm, where every case is personal and every client is treated like family.
By working with our three generations of Corpus Christi injury attorneys, you position yourself to hold the negligent mechanic responsible, which puts you in line to seek full compensation for your accident injuries, damages to your car, and other losses. Give us a call today to schedule your free consultation.