If you have been in a car accident and believe it may have been caused by faulty repairs or negligent work on your car, you may be wondering what legal options are available to you. You may also be wondering “Can you sue a mechanic for not fixing your car?” The short answer is “Yes, you can.” Suing a mechanic for mechanical malpractice or mechanical negligence that may have resulted in an accident or injury is well within the driver’s rights.
Any time you do work on your vehicle, you must first make sure that the mechanic or body shop you selected is certified. There are several ways to verify this, including your written certificate, which should be shown to your office. If it is not easily visible, you can ask to see it. The Bureau of Automotive Repair has additional information and resources on the topic, such as the ability to search for your auto shop‘s license, as well as a tool to help you find a licensed auto shop near you. If your mechanic is not licensed and you did not do your due diligence to verify, he may be able to lose leverage in a case against you.
How do I file a claim against a mechanic?
After an accident, you should start by contacting an experienced attorney to make sure you have a case. However, even before that, it is important to make sure that you are prepared in case an accident happens. Be sure to keep detailed records of your car repairs. Any time your vehicle is serviced or repaired, be sure to save any documents and receipts you have so you have a record of what work was done and who was responsible for the repairs, as well as proof that you paid for the service .
While it may seem unnecessary or overwhelming to keep such records, it is much easier to be prepared in the event of such an incident, rather than retroactively collecting the evidence you need. Take advantage of modern digital solutions, such as cloud storage applications, to maintain digital copies or photos of your auto service or repair records, and keep them organized through a system that can be easily accessed in the future.
If you prefer, you may choose to keep your receipts and physical records in a small filing cabinet. Keeping an organized collection of major purchases and services received can help protect you and your family from any further harm as a result of mechanical negligence.
What is mechanical negligence?
Mechanics have a legal responsibility to maintain public safety. If they fix your brakes incorrectly, that not only puts you and your family at risk, but everyone else on the road as well. The receipts you keep are the proof you need to hold mechanics accountable, especially when you trust them to keep your vehicle safe.
Despite taking precautions, accidents can still happen, and there are important steps you should take next. If, for example, you recently had your brakes serviced and were in an accident due to faulty brakes, be sure to tell the police when you report your accident so they have a record of it.
As always, it is important to make such a report as soon as possible after an accident so that you can accurately recall the details of the incident. Having records of any service or repair work done to your vehicle will also be invaluable, and you’ll be glad you can easily find them when it’s time to file your claim.
Where can I find the best auto repair negligence lawyer near me if I have to sue a mechanic?
If you have been in an accident and believe mechanical negligence may have been to blame, contacting an experienced personal injury firm like Abogado Contigo is the best way to recover compensation for your case. Our personal injury consultations are free, and you’ll receive expert advice from a law firm that has recovered over $1 billion in more than 10,000 personal injury cases. Contact us today, we want to know more about your case!