6 Routine Vehicle Checks to Help Prevent Car Accidents

A number of auto accidents occur in Florida due to improper vehicle maintenance. Unclean and cracked windshields that obstruct vision, faulty brakes, broken turn signals and balding tires can all result in a serious auto accident. While a driver is not held liable for unanticipated mechanical failures, a driver can be held liable for injuries caused to another driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist if the driver failed to address a maintenance issue that it knew about or should have known about.

Here are 6 routine vehicle checks you can do to help prevent car accidents:

1. Check your brakes.
   Many people do not check their brakes on a regular basis. However, these are one of the most important safety features of your automobile. If your brake pads are worn out, they sometimes make screeching sounds like metals grating against each other when you are tapping the brakes. Experts advise having your brake pads checked every six months to avoid an accident.
2. Transmission Fluid
   Transmission fluid is the “lifeblood” of your transmission and essential to a car running smoothly. You do not need a professional to change your transmission fluid. You can purchase an automatic transmission fluid, use a dipstick to check the level and color and then replace it if you need to.
3. Tire Pressure/Tread
   You can use a tire pressure gauge to check to see if your tires are properly inflated. Keeping your tires at the right pressure can help you avoid a blown tire and oftentimes, an accident. Checking the tread on your tires is equally important because this is what gives your tires traction while driving. If your tires are worn down, there is an increased risk that you might hydroplane in certain weather conditions.
4. Wheel Alignment
   If your car starts to veer to the left or right while driving, this means your car is out of alignment. If it is not addressed, it can cause uneven and quick wear on the tire tread. Experts recommend having your alignment checked by a professional auto technician.
5. Steering & Suspension
   Your suspension keeps your tires in contact with the roadway in a stable and predictable manner. Your steering enables you to go around road obstacles and avoid potential accidents. Even a safe, well-trained driver is helpless in the event of a steering or suspension system failure. These type failures are catastrophic, particularly at high speeds. Have your suspension and steering systems checked out by a mechanic every 10,000 miles.
6. Antifreeze
   Antifreeze or coolant helps keep your car from freezing or over-heating. If the levels in your car are off, your car will not run smoothly and can cause an accident. If the weather is too hot and your car does not have enough antifreeze, your radiator can overheat and cause problems with the engine. Experts recommend checking your antifreeze every three to six months.

Routine maintenance checks on your vehicle can help you avoid an accident on a busy Orlando highway. If you or a loved one have suffered injury or death in an auto accident, it is important that you contact an experienced Orlando Auto Accident Lawyer immediately. Our experienced team of accident attorneys can help you obtain compensation for medical bills, future medical treatment, loss of wages, pain and suffering, etc. Feel free to fill out our quick contact form on our website to discuss your legal options in greater detail.

Related Resources:

• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/toby-nwazor/5-vital-checks-to-put-up-_1_b_12450486.html