The Role of Vehicle Maintenance Records in Car Accident Cases

Car accidents are unexpected, often traumatic events that can change lives in an instant. When crashes occur, the first assumption is usually that a driver made a mistake, such as speeding, running a red light, or texting while driving. But not all accidents are caused by human error at the wheel. Sometimes, the issue lies under the hood, or in the tires, or the brakes, often due to poor vehicle maintenance.

In personal injury law, one of the most overlooked yet powerful pieces of evidence is the vehicle’s maintenance record. These records can play a crucial role in determining fault, assessing negligence, and uncovering deeper liabilities.

Every vehicle requires regular upkeep to function safely on the road. From replacing brake pads and tires to fixing faulty lights or checking steering systems, routine maintenance ensures that cars operate as they were designed to. When this fundamental duty is ignored, cars become unpredictable, dangerous, and often non-compliant with legal requirements.

In personal injury cases, vehicle maintenance history can reveal:

– Whether a driver neglected their vehicle

– If a part failure was foreseeable

– Whether a mechanic or repair shop may be liable

– If the vehicle owner failed in their duty of care

By reviewing oil changes, repair logs, inspection reports, and service invoices, attorneys and investigators can uncover essential patterns and responsibilities. These records can significantly impact a case, either in defending a driver against false claims or in proving that they contributed to a crash due to negligence.

An improperly maintained car is essentially a ticking time bomb. Even a single overlooked issue, such as a worn tire or a failing brake system, can lead to devastating accidents.

Let’s explore some of the most common maintenance issues that cause accidents:

1. Brake Failure

In legal terms, every driver owes a duty of care to operate a vehicle safely and responsibly. That includes keeping the car in good working order. Failure to do so may be considered a form of negligence.

Maintenance records are crucial legal documents. A skilled attorney can use these records to reconstruct events, prove liability, or defend against exaggerated or false claims.

Attorneys review logs to show a pattern of neglect. If the owner fails to replace tires, ignores oil leaks, or skips routine inspections, this establishes a breach of duty.

If the driver is wrongly accused of negligence, maintenance records can serve as proof of diligence. For example, receipts showing that the brakes were serviced just two weeks prior can exonerate a driver from fault in a brake-related crash.

Sometimes a mechanic installs the wrong part or skips a vital check. If that failure leads to an accident, the repair shop may be held liable for the consequences. Maintenance logs help track who worked on the car and what exactly was done or not done.

Let’s address the most frequently asked questions about this topic:

Yes. If it can be shown that your car had a preventable mechanical failure, like brake failure, bad tires, or steering issues, and you didn’t address it, you can be sued for negligence. Even partial liability can reduce your compensation under comparative fault laws.

2. What Kind of Maintenance Records Should I Keep?

You should keep:

Keep both paper and digital copies. Store them in your glove box and the cloud for backup.

3. What If I Just Bought the Car and Didn’t Know It Had Problems?

If you recently purchased a vehicle with hidden maintenance issues, you might have a claim against the seller or dealership. However, the court will expect you to have taken reasonable steps, like having a pre-purchase inspection done.

4. Can a Repair Shop Be Held Responsible?

Yes. If a repair shop fails to fix an issue properly or uses faulty parts, and that directly causes an accident, they may be sued for professional negligence. Your attorney will use repair receipts, invoices, and expert analysis to build this case.

5. Can Maintenance Records Be Subpoenaed?

Hiring a general attorney or trying to handle the claim yourself can leave gaps that cost you money or the entire case.

At Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm, our team specializes in car accident cases involving mechanical failure and maintenance negligence. We have the tools, experts, and litigation experience to: