Automobiles are made up of many parts. Problems with some parts are minor, whereas others can be quite dire. The parts that are most often listed as the cause of car accidents are tires, brakes, headlights, and suspension. Problems with those four parts account for tens of thousands of accidents every year.
Most car owners have experienced the heart-dropping feeling when a small icon on the dashboard lights up with a ping notifying them that something is amiss with their vehicle. After consulting the manual about what the icon represents, car owners are often relieved to know that the issue is nothing major. However, trouble with some car parts can be much more consequential than might be expected.
Most car owners are keenly aware of the abundance of potential problems that must be addressed to keep their cars running safely. The discussion below focuses on the four car parts that cause the most accidents, the issues that affect the safety of those components, and ways car owners should go about addressing any issues whether or not a dashboard warning light tips them off to a potential problem.
Worn Tires
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study indicates that approximately 35 percent of car accidents are caused by worn tires. Tires become worn by normal use and need to be replaced every so often. Car owners can care for their tires to prolong their lifespan, but they will need to be replaced when the treads become worn down. Worn out treads affect the tires ability to grip the road and make it more difficult for the driver to control the vehicle.
Worn tires are more prone to blowouts as well. Tire blowouts are incredibly dangerous. They happen when the rubber of the tire wears so thin that it rips, and the tire basically explodes while the car is in motion.
The best way to avoid problems with tires is to check the treads frequently. One easy trick is to use a penny to measure the tread depth. With the profile of Abraham Lincoln held upside-down, check if his head is visible; if the top of Lincolns head is not obscured, the tread is too low and the tire should be replaced.
Another way to care for your cars tires is to ensure that they are properly inflated. Overinflated or underinflated tires can affect wear. Keeping tires properly inflated and checking the treads are easy steps to take to ensure that your tires are in good shape. Many gas stations or tire replacement shops offer to check your tires. Some even have a gauge available for you to check yourself. The optimum measurement for your tires pressure can be found in your cars owners manual or on a small information panel inside the driver-side door.
You can also ensure the safety of your tires by checking your cars alignment so as to avoid uneven wear on your tires.
Faulty Brakes
The NHTSA also lists brake issues as a top cause of car accidents. Brakes should be inspected regularly. Squeaking or grinding noises should be checked out immediately by a mechanic.
Brake trouble can stem from worn pads or damaged rotors. The pads squeeze the rotors to stop the wheels from spinning. Therefore, when either one is worn or damaged, safe braking can be affected. If the friction between the pads and rotors is compromised, you may not be able to stop efficiently or quickly when you apply pressure to the brake pedal.
Brake fluid is another issue. If your vehicle is leaking brake fluid, you may have damaged brake lines. This can result in poor brake performance. Brake lines should be checked frequently. They should be replaced if they show signs of leaks or corrosion.
To ensure that your brakes are always in good shape, they should be checked every 30,000 miles.
Spent Headlights
The third item on NHTSA’s list of accident-causing car parts is vehicle headlights. Faulty headlamps cause a fair number of car accidents from blown blubs or electrical issues.
Good headlights are essential for driving in the dark or in poor visibility conditions. Rain and fog are two weather conditions that can present danger to a driver whose car lacks properly working headlights.
Responsible drivers must replace blown out headlight bulbs right away to ensure that they can see the road ahead when they inevitably need to drive at night or in inclement weather.
Headlights are certainly vital for the driver to see the road in poor visibility conditions, but they are just as necessary for drivers to see each other. Having your headlights on when visibility is low can help other drivers see your car and avoid a collision.
Sometimes headlight problems are more serious than can be addressed by simply replacing a spent bulb. Poor or loose wiring can lead to dim or malfunctioning headlights. These electrical issues should be addressed by a trained car service person.
The fourth item on NHTSA’s list of car parts that cause the most accidents is faulty suspension. A cars suspension supports the weight of the car and absorbs shocks as the car bounds along the road. If the cars suspension is not able to support the car properly, an accident may result.
Poor Suspension
Poor suspension can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle if the weight shifts and the suspension cannot handle it. Suspension issues may cause the car to drive unevenly or bounce too much.
Monmouth County Car Accident Lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova Represent People Injured in Accidents Resulting from Defective Car Parts
If you were seriously hurt in a collision that was caused when a car part failed, you may be able to collect damages from the manufacturer of the faulty auto product. The Monmouth County car accident lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova can help you understand your rights and file suit against the company that produced and sold the car part that malfunctioned and caused the accident that resulted in your injuries. Call us at 732-705-3363 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation. Located in Hazlet and Highland Park, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout Ocean County, Sussex County, Neptune, Middlesex County, and Pennsylvania.