Texas Accident & Injury News
Faulty parts in a vehicle can cause catastrophic accidents.
Child Seriously Injured in Faulty-Brake Accident
According to a KSAT News report, a child suffered a serious laceration injury in an accident caused by faulty brakes on Saturday, August 12, 2023.
Police reported that the multi-vehicle accident occurred at around 11 a.m. when a driver accidentally ran a stop sign due to a brake malfunction. It hit an SUV which spun into another vehicle, causing at least one serious injury. Three people were transported to the hospital in unknown conditions, except for the child, who was reportedly severely lacerated by a seatbelt. The child’s age is unknown. Police are continuing to investigate the accident.
Did You Know?
Brake failure causes 5% of all auto accidents in the United States yearly.
Brake Malfunction Accidents in San Antonio
The thought of mechanical failures in your car causing you to be in an accident is pretty terrifying. Fortunately, mechanical failures like brake failures or malfunctions happen very rarely – only 5% of all auto accidents yearly, which totals about 300,000 across the entire nation. However, they can and do occur, so in this blog, we’ll go over why brake failure happens and what to do if you think brake failure caused a car accident.
Why Do Brakes Fail?
There are quite a few reasons why your brakes might fail, depending on what kind of brake system your vehicle uses, such as:
- Air in the brake lines – Air trapped in the brake lines can lead to a softer brake feeling and make braking take extra time and effort.
- Wear in the brake pads – repeated use can wear down brake pads, which leads to brakes not working properly.
- Grease or oil on the brake pads – This reduces friction and causes the brakes to malfunction.
- Leaking fluid – Lack of fluid reduces the likelihood that the force of your foot on the pedal will affect the brake pads.
- Braking Fade – Overheating brakes causes a reduction in braking power, known as breaking fade.
- Manufacturing or design error – defects and design flaws can lead to malfunctioning brakes.
The best way to prevent most of these problems is through regular vehicle maintenance. However, there’s nothing maintenance can do for defective or faulty designs or flaws introduced in the manufacturing process.
Steps to Take Brake Failure Causes an Accident
If the worst happens and your brakes fail or don’t work properly, causing you to be in an accident, follow these essential steps:
- Call 9-1-1 to report any injuries, get medical attention if necessary, and obtain a police report about the accident.
- Tell the other driver, any witnesses, and the police that you believe brake failure contributed to your accident.
- Do not attempt to drive away from the accident scene – this will not only be dangerous but leave the responding officer with the impression that your brakes were actually working just fine.
- Get the vehicle to a mechanic ASAP. If you look at them yourself or take them to your buddy who’s great with cars, any attorney worth their salt will claim that you tampered with the brakes after the accident to fit your “brake failure” narrative.
If you were in an accident because of brake failure, you need an attorney to help you build a solid defense.
Hire Carabin Shaw Auto Accident Attorneys
We have thirty years of experience representing auto accident victims in San Antonio, and we have the extensive resources necessary to represent your claim. Contact the attorneys who put their clients first for your auto accident defense today at 800-862-1260 or via the live chat at the bottom right of your screen. We look forward to serving you.