Many factors can contribute to car accidents in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, including bad driving, poor weather, and difficult lighting conditions. Another factor in many crashes is the condition of the vehicle. A defective or damaged vehicle can cause a driver to lose control and hit other drivers, run off the road, or roll over.
Unfortunately, car inspection laws cannot do much to keep dangerous vehicles off the road, but drivers can. When they fail to do so, a Palm Beach Gardens car accident lawyer from Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers helps accident victims pursue injury compensation. Our attorneys have 80 years of experience and have recovered over $500 million in compensation.
Contact our law office at (561) 944-4000 to schedule a free consultation.
How Kibbey Wagner Can Help After A Car Accident In Palm Beach Gardens, FL
At Kibbey Wagner, our Palm Beach Gardens car accident attorneys provide the following legal assistance to people injured in crashes caused by the negligence of other drivers:
- Discussing their accidents and advising them about their legal options in Florida
- Investigating their crashes to uncover evidence for their cases
- Filing insurance claims and working hard to settle them
- Litigating when insurance companies deny claims
Our team will guide you through Florida’s complex insurance system, ensuring that your rights are protected at every stage. Whether through negotiation or aggressive litigation, we are committed to pursuing the full compensation you deserve for your injuries, property damage, and emotional suffering in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Palm Beach Gardens. Let us help you navigate this difficult time and fight for the justice you deserve.
Car Inspections In Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Car safety inspections were once commonplace. States formerly required all vehicle owners to have their cars inspected to register them. However, most states have since repealed their annual safety inspection requirements. Florida, for example, has not required vehicle safety inspections since the 1980s.
However, Florida police have other ways to inspect vehicles. Specifically, the state prohibits drivers from operating any vehicle in an unsafe condition. “Unsafe” means the vehicle’s required equipment is missing or damaged. For example, a vehicle might have a broken headlight.
It can also mean the vehicle has equipment prohibited under Florida law. Thus, a vehicle might be unsafe because its windows have illegal tint.
The law allows police officers to stop unsafe vehicles and inspect them. During this stop, the officer can order the vehicle out of service. Specifically, an officer can have your vehicle towed if it is too unsafe to operate on the roads.
An officer can also issue a citation or warning. In either case, the officer must provide an affidavit of compliance. If the vehicle owner resolves the equipment issue, they can have the vehicle reinspected by law enforcement officers. If the inspection verifies the repair, the vehicle owner can seek a reduction in the fines and court fees.
Common Equipment Failures
Automobiles are complex machines with mechanical systems, electronics, and software. The following equipment can cause car accidents if faulty:
- Brakes
- Wheels and tires
- Steering
- Suspension
- Engine or transmission
- Signal lights
Vehicle owners are not required to drive vehicles that perform perfectly. However, they must keep their vehicles in reasonably operable condition.
Liability For Equipment-Related Crashes In Palm Beach Gardens
Car accident liability depends on how the collision happened. Specifically, the accident victim must show that there is some link between the crash and the other party’s actions. Several parties might be liable for a crash.
Vehicle Owner
A vehicle owner might be responsible for an equipment-related crash. Specifically, the owner may be liable if they knew about the vehicle’s problems but did not fix them. For example, suppose a driver noticed that the car wobbled when driving. If the driver continued to drive it instead of having the tires checked, they may be responsible if they lose a tire and crash.
Auto Repair Shop
Auto shops may be liable if they negligently perform maintenance or repairs. Thus, suppose a shop failed to bleed the brakes after replacing a brake caliper. The repair shop may be liable if the vehicle crashes after losing braking power.
Vehicle Or Part Manufacturer
Manufacturers are strictly liable for injuries caused by defective products. This means the injured person can prove liability by simply showing that the product had a defect when it left the manufacturer. These defects can include design defects, manufacturing defects, and warning defects.
Contact Our Palm Beach Gardens Car Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
Car crashes involving equipment failures raise complicated legal and factual issues. Contact Kibbey Wagner for a free consultation to learn how we can help you seek injury compensation for your losses.
