A lot of car wrecks could be avoided if drivers were more sensible about maintaining their vehicles. Vehicle maintenance, of course, can be expensive, but it’s actually cheaper in the long run to keep your vehicle running smoothly than it is to pay for expensive repairs and, in particular, accidents that may end up getting you sued if your vehicle proves to have been too dangerous to be on the road. Here are the basics you have to keep maintained.
Tires
Your tires are one of the most important systems on your car and, yes, they are actually a system with a complex design. They provide traction, braking power and keep your fuel efficiency at an acceptable level. If you’re not keeping them maintained, you cannot count on your vehicle being safe. Make sure you have your tires rotated according to the manufacturer’s schedule and make sure you change them out at the first sign of wear. Remember that, when you go out on the road, these are the parts of your vehicle that actually touch the road, so they take plenty of abuse.
Brakes
For obvious reasons, you need to maintain your brakes. A lot of drivers wait until they’re squeaking so loud that they can’t even hear their engine before they get them checked. You should have them checked whenever you go in for a tune-up. Mechanics will sometimes notice problems before they become disasters simply by checking your brakes.
Electrical System
Your electrical system keeps your blinkers, hazard lights, brake lights and headlights working and you need to make sure it’s functioning correctly. If you keep blowing fuses or having other issues, be sure you take the vehicle in for maintenance. Remember that ignoring warning lights is also dangerous. If you can’t see anything obviously wrong when your “check engine” light goes on, take it to a pro to have it checked out, just for safety’s sake, before you ignore it.
If you get rear ended by someone with bad brakes or otherwise involved in a car crash because of one form of negligence or another, be sure to talk to a car wreck lawyer. They may be able to help you recover the costs of the accident by filing a lawsuit that could win you compensation for your pain and suffering, as well as your injuries and loss of property. It’s always worth it to ask them about the matter.
