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Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2016 there were 324,473 accidents on Illinois roadways. Almost 21% of these accidents had injuries and another 1,000 were fatal. Given today’s technology, cars are safer than ever before, but mechanical problems still occur.

While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that mechanical problems are an issue in 2% of accidents nationwide, they also state that because only external visual inspections of the vehicle’s components were completed, these statistics may actually be quite low and mechanical problems may be a larger issue than initially reported. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to mechanical problems, contact our car accident lawyers today.

We at Mike Agruss Law are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected, and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses.

While mechanical problems may not be the main critical reason for an accident, they may still be considered a contributing factor. The top five mechanical problems that cause car accidents are:

Tires

Two of the most common tire issues that cause mechanical problems are worn tires and tire blowouts. Worn tires-Over time, tires thin and lose their tread. This will cause tires to lose their ability to grip the road, making them slip, less responsive, and requiring a larger braking distance which is especially a problem during bad weather.

Tire blowouts-Tire blowouts occur for many different reasons including tire wear, temperature change, under-inflation, over-inflation, and punctures. A tire blowout happens suddenly, reducing the ability to steer and causing accidents.

Windshield Wipers

Windshield wipers are very important and should not be underestimated. Clearing debris and rain from the windshield greatly improves visibility, but worn wipers can streak the glass making it difficult to see or wiper blade motors can suddenly break, causing drivers to lose visibility. This loss of vision can cause accidents in heavy traffic or at high-speeds.

Brakes

Bad brakes are the major factor in rear-end collisions. Brake pads and discs wear out a little each time they are used, making it difficult to stop, thus causing accidents.

Antilock Brake Systems (ABS) are another common brake issue. When the ABS doesn’t function as it should, the braking system is compromised. Finally, brake line leaks allow for brake fluid to drain and braking ability is severely diminished.

Suspension and Steering

Suspension and steering issues are harder to cite as causes of accidents because they require a more in-depth inspection. However, the NHTSA estimates it is the third most common mechanical problem that causes accidents.

Steering and transmission problems cause difficulty in steering. Engine or transmission problems can cause drivers to have issue with acceleration.

Lights

Vehicle lights are the best way for drivers to see what is happening on the road in front of them, as well as allowing them to be seen by other drivers whether it is dark or light out.Turn signals allow other drivers to see your intent in turning, switching lanes, or if you are proceeding slowly or broken down. Lights that are broken decrease visibility to other drivers and increase the risk for accidents to occur both traveling on the road and when a vehicle is stopped.

We at Mike Agruss Law are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to mechanical problems, contact Mike Agruss Law for a free consultation. Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people and not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, as personal injury attorneys, Mike Agruss Law is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.

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