Owning a car comes with significant responsibilities. Drivers must always drive safely and keep up with various maintenance practices to ensure their vehicle is in good working condition.

Without proper care, a vehicle’s parts could break and cause an accident, hurting the driver and others on the road. Sadly, being involved in a car accident requires drivers to follow crucial steps afterward. These steps include ensuring everyone’s safety, gathering evidence, and seeking help from the authorities and a trusted personal injury lawyer.

Fortunately, these issues are preventable. The key is understanding the mechanical problems your car may have and the signs to watch out for when they occur.

Keep reading below for more information.

Mechanical Issues To Watch Out For

Knowing the following issues and taking preventive measures is vital for ensuring your safety and that of other drivers on the road. From brake failures to wiper issues, you must address these five mechanical problems to ensure road safety and reduce the risk of a car accident.

Brake failures

A faulty or worn-out brake system is one of the major causes of rear-end collisions and other car crashes in the country. If your brakes malfunction while driving, you may hit other vehicles, especially those in front, regardless if you were maintaining a safe distance.

One way to tell if you have issues with your braking system is when the indicator lights up on your dashboard. If it appears when you start the car, it could be because there’s a problem with the braking system. Otherwise, the best signs to look for are a squealing or squeaking noise and a spongy or soft feel when applying brakes. These often occur separately.

Other signs include grinding noises, vibration when braking, and leaking fluid. You should also watch out for burning smells, especially when applying brakes, as this could be a sign of overheating brake pads.

Tire problems

Flat tires and blow-outs are among the most dangerous car failures that cause fatal accidents. When tires give out while driving, the car will swerve or stop and become an obstruction for other drivers. In some cases, blow-outs, especially involving bigger vehicles, can scatter debris on the road, endangering other cars.

The good news is that there are ways for you to determine if you have tire issues before and while driving. The easiest way is to check your tire’s inflation before you head out. Another is to check if your vehicle consistently pulls on one side while on the road. That means your tires are underinflated.

Moreover, your car will notify you if there’s an issue with inflation through the indication lights on the dashboard.

Light malfunctions

Properly functioning lights are crucial in ensuring safety on the road. They help improve your visibility and guide you throughout the night. Plus, they help you communicate your actions to other drivers. It tells them if you’re switching lanes and stopping or notifying them of your presence.

If any of your lights malfunction, you increase your chances of causing accidents. For instance, suppose your brake lights fail when you stop your car. It might cause a rear-end collision, as the vehicle behind may not be aware of your actions.

Additionally, if your headlights suddenly go out while driving at night, your vision will be significantly reduced. When that happens, you might hit various objects or pedestrians on the road.

Car lights are a vital component of a vehicle, and various laws in the country regulate them. For instance, you can’t modify your light colors and brightness, whether in front or the rear. It’s generally prohibited because they might blind other drivers, causing them to collide with other vehicles or road obstructions.

You can get a ticket for having a broken taillight. That’s why it’s vital to check before leaving and replace any malfunctioning bulbs.

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Steering and suspension problems

Problems with the steering and suspension system could result in a hard pull in different directions. When that happens, you could swerve and collide with other vehicles, or worse, cause a vehicle rollover accident.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to prove such an accident since there might not be any external evidence proving that it was due to a steering or suspension issue. That’s why it’s always best to prevent these types of mechanical problems.

There are various ways to identify if you have any of the two mentioned problems. The easiest way to identify a steering wheel issue is if you have difficulty turning it or if it turns excessively, even with little movement. Other signs of a faulty steering wheel include vibrations when turning the car, the vehicle pulling to one side, and strange noises when steering.

Loose steering could also be a sign of suspension problems. Other symptoms include strange noises like squeaking and rattling, vehicle bouncing or diving when encountering bumps, and an overall uncomfortable ride.

Broken windshield wipers

Windshield wipers are crucial during harsh weather conditions. They allow drivers to have a good field of vision, clearing debris and water from the windshield. Driving without them through inclement weather is like driving blindfolded. It poses a danger to the driver and others on the road.

If your windshield wipers move slower than programmed or only operate at one speed, you might have a faulty pair. Aside from that, there are other ways to determine this problem, like if they don’t move or stop in the proper position.

Unfortunately, it might be hard to identify these signs if you’re not experiencing rain or snow at the time. When you finally discover them, especially when it’s raining, it’s best to pull over to a safe area and wait for the rain to pass. Afterward, bring your car to an expert for inspection and repair.

Protect Yourself and Others

Understanding the issues mentioned above is vital for preventing them while driving. Once you’ve identified these signs, take your car to the nearest mechanic to address the problems immediately.

It’s also best to anticipate that these issues could happen to other drivers. It’s ideal that you anticipate the procedures that may follow after a car accident. You could start by selecting a reliable personal injury lawyer to assist you in building a strong case against irresponsible drivers. By taking proactive measures, you can protect yourself and others on the road.