Routine Car Maintenance and Roadway Safety

The motor vehicles that are being manufactured today are incredibly complex pieces of machinery and rely upon the careful design, production, installation, and function of many different systems and parts. Professional mechanics must receive extensive training, and depending upon the maker of a vehicle, there may still be further specialized training that is required to develop one's skills and knowledge to the point that it would be appropriate to work on another person's car or truck. Given this state of affairs, it may seem that there is no way that a car owner could hope to perform any sort of meaningful maintenance on her own, but this is untrue. Routine car maintenance and simple self-diagnostic assessments can be a tremendous boon to roadway safety.

Throughout the middle of the 20th centuries, as car ownership was still gradually seeping throughout society and one's vehicle was a point of particular pride, there was a tendency for men to be at least moderately well-educated about the function and upkeep of their cars. This is a tradition that has largely fallen by the wayside, however, as the technological and mechanical sophistication of newer automobiles began to exceed the grasp of the typical, interested layperson. As a result of this decline in general car knowledge many people are intimidated by the prospect of doing anything more involved than pumping gas. Despite this, there are several simple and effective ways that a car owner can reduce the likelihood of causing or becoming involved in a car accident.

Simple Safety Steps

Just as a property owner might be held liable for negligence that results in the injury of a guest on the premises, so too can a motor vehicle owner be held civilly accountable if the failure to perform reasonably expected and appropriate maintenance causes a car accident. This and the incentive to protect one's own health and welfare would seem to be enough motivation to keep up to date with the condition of his or her car, but sadly this is frequently not the case.

To avoid unnecessarily increasing the risk of a motor vehicle accident, you can be proactive by following these simple safety steps:

Regularly check the air pressure in your tires Assess the tread on your vehicle's tires for irregular wear, balding, or indications of looming separation Test your windshield wipers to ensure proper function Check your turn signal lights, taillights, and brake lights Test your horn away from moving traffic Check fluid levels

Hold Negligent Motorists Accountable

If you have been the victim of a car accident caused by another person's negligent vehicle maintenance, we may be able to help. Contact the of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C.