When you have a car accident, you may believe that the other motorist was entirely at fault and that he or she is responsible for all of your bills. However, this is not always the case, and there may be actions you failed to take that contributed to the extent of the damages, such as poor maintenance. This can lead to you only receiving partial compensation.
Seatbelts
One reason why you might be partially at fault is that your car was not properly maintained. For example, your seatbelt might be damaged and was not able to protect you adequately during the accident. Seatbelts need to be inspected routinely to ensure that they are in good condition when your car has a lot of miles.
Windshield
You may have had a damaged window or windshield that contributed to the severity of the accident. When a car rolls over, the windshield reduces the extent to where the car collapses and can reduce injuries.
Bumpers
Bumpers exist to minimize the amount of damage that is done to a vehicle. After an accident, the integrity of the bumper will be reduced. It may look like it is still functioning properly, but the prior accident may impact the ability of the bumper to absorb force in the future.
Headlights and Tailights
If you have damaged headlights or taillights, this can lead to visibility issues for other drivers. This can lead to the other motorists being unable to see your vehicle or predict what you will be doing next. If there is evidence that you haven't repaired your headlights or taillights, this can be used to argue that you are partially at fault.
Missing Airbags
A substantial percentage of fatal car accidents are the result of failing to wear a seatbelt. If you have your car inspected by a mechanic, he or she can determine if the airbag is functional and whether or not it was previously deployed.
If there is evidence that your vehicle was not properly maintained before the accident, you'll want to speak with an auto accident attorney to help you craft a case for why you were not at fault for the accident. You may argue that the lack of maintenance did not contribute to the accident. Or you may argue that your role in the accident was negligible. To prove that you are not at fault, it's essential that you gather evidence about the accident and the state of your vehicle prior to the accident so you can maximize the amount of compensation that you receive.
To learn more, contact an auto accident attorney.
