When Your Car Accident Injury Is Caused by Mechanical Failure
You’re driving like you always do. Focused. Careful. Then, something doesn’t feel right. Maybe the brakes don’t respond. Maybe the steering locks. Maybe the car pulls sharply to one side.
Seconds later, you’re in a crash.
You didn’t break the law. You weren’t distracted. But now you’re injured, your car’s a wreck, and you have no idea what just happened or who’s responsible.
When a car accident injury is caused by mechanical failure, the outcome feels unfair and overwhelming. But you’re not alone. If this happened in New York, Shim Law is ready to help you take back control.
What Really Causes Mechanical Failure?
Cars don’t fail for no reason. Behind most mechanical problems is a chain of mistakes, bad parts, poor repairs, or missed maintenance. When just one part fails, it can lead to serious damage and dangerous crashes.
Here are a few common causes:
- Brake failure: Worn pads, leaking fluid, or bad brake lines can make stopping harder or even impossible.
- Tire blowouts: Old, worn, or underinflated tires can explode without warning and throw your car off balance.
- Steering trouble: If the steering system locks or pulls, you can’t control the car the way you need to.
- Engine or transmission issues: If the engine cuts off or the gears stop responding, the car can stall or lose power at the worst time.
- Electrical system failure: Faulty airbags, lights, or sensors can keep you from seeing danger or from getting the protection you need in a crash.
Each of these problems might start small. But on the road, they can become life-changing. If your crash was caused by one of these failures, the fault may fall on someone who didn’t do their job right.
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
Once we know what failed, the next question is who caused it. Several people or companies may be involved in keeping your vehicle safe, and when one of them cuts corners, you pay the price.
Here’s who might be at fault:
Vehicle Manufacturer
If the problem started with a faulty part or bad design, the company that made the car may be responsible.
Mechanic or Auto Shop
Bad repairs, skipped safety checks, or the wrong replacement parts can all lead to failure. If a shop touched your car before the crash, they may have made it worse, not better.
Parts Supplier
Even if the car itself works fine, a defective part, such as a faulty airbag or broken axle, can still cause a crash.
Commercial Owner or Fleet Operator
In company-owned vehicles, skipped inspections or rushed maintenance can lead to accidents. If that happened, the company may owe you for their mistakes.
Shim Law takes time to dig deep into each case. We work with investigators, auto experts, and engineers to figure out where things went wrong and who should answer for it.
Warning Signs Before a Mechanical Failure
Most mechanical issues don’t come out of nowhere. They build up quietly over time. If you saw or heard any of these signs before your crash, they could help prove that your vehicle was unsafe:
- Loud grinding, squeaking, or clicking sounds
- Dashboard warning lights that stayed on
- Trouble turning the wheel or keeping the car in its lane
- Shaky steering or brake pedal vibration
- Leaks under the car or strange smells during driving
These symptoms matter. They give your legal team important clues about the real cause of your accident.
What To Do After a Mechanical Failure Crash
f you’ve just been in a crash and you think mechanical failure played a role, what you do next can make or break your case. Here’s what we suggest:
1. Get Medical Help
Even if you feel okay, get checked out. Some injuries take time to show up, and your medical records help document what happened.
2. Call the Police
Tell the officer about anything odd you noticed before the crash. If the brakes didn’t work or the car pulled suddenly, mention that. Their report helps back up your story.
3. Don’t Fix the Car Yet
If you can, leave the car just as it is. Evidence on the vehicle, like broken parts or fluid leaks, can show what went wrong.
4. Take Photos and Notes
Get pictures of the scene, your injuries, the vehicle, and any warning lights on the dashboard. Write down what you remember.
5. Contact Shim Law
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Our team handles the calls, paperwork, investigation, and everything else so you can focus on healing.
Your Legal Rights in New York
If a mechanical problem caused your crash, you may have the right to seek full compensation. That can include:
- All medical bills, from emergency care to long-term recovery
- Lost pay from time missed at work
- Future income if you can’t return to your job
- Pain, suffering, and emotional stress
- Repairs or replacement for your car and damaged property
- In some cases, extra damages if someone acted recklessly or ignored known risks
Shim Law knows New York’s laws inside and out. We push for the maximum payout and don’t let insurers or companies take advantage of your pain.
How Shim Law Helps You in this Case in New York
At Shim Law, we guide car accident victims through every step from first call to final result. With mechanical failure accidents, you need a team that’s not afraid to take on big companies or dig into complex technical issues.
Here’s what we do:
- Investigate the vehicle using experts to uncover hidden defects
- Review maintenance records, recalls, and repair logs
- Communicate with all parties so you don’t have to deal with insurers or dealerships
- Build a legal strategy that fits your exact situation
- Fight for the compensation you deserve through negotiation or trial if needed
You focus on recovery. We’ll handle the rest.
Why People Across New York Choose Shim Law
Legal support is personal. You want someone who listens, who acts fast, and who fights like your future depends on it because it does.
Here’s why people trust Shim Law:
- We’ve handled tough, technical cases and delivered results
- We understand the New York legal system from top to bottom
- We stay in touch and never leave you guessing
- We care about what you’re going through and treat you with respect
- We get results and don’t stop until we do
When everything feels uncertain, we give you answers and a path forward.
FAQs
1. What counts as mechanical failure in a crash?
2. Do I still have a case if I didn’t know about the issue before the crash?
3. Who might be responsible?
4. What if the car was just repaired?
5. How do you prove a mechanical failure caused the accident?
6. Should I keep my car after the crash?
7. Can I sue more than one party?
Yes. If multiple people or companies played a role, they can all be held accountable.
8. What if a commercial vehicle hit me due to mechanical failure?
9. How long do I have to file a claim in New York?
10. What can I get compensation for?
What to Do Next
Mechanical failure doesn’t just break your car. It can break your sense of safety, your plans, and your peace of mind. But you don’t have to carry this alone.
Call Shim Law today. We’re ready to help you figure out what happened, hold the right people responsible, and fight for everything you need to recover.
You take care of healing. We’ll take care of everything else.
📞 Visit shimlawgroup.com to book your consultation or call us today.
