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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 94 percent of traffic accidents result from driver error. In these types of accidents, the driver at fault is often responsible for your damages and losses. While driver error is the primary cause of road accidents, faulty maintenance can also contribute to collisions.
You can sue a mechanic or auto repair shop for negligence in Georgia if this played a role in your accident and injuries. You could recover compensation through a claim with the entity’s insurance company, though you must present evidence of fault. A car accident attorney from our firm can offer support and resources to build a strong claim.
A Mechanic Owes You a Duty of Care
A mechanic responsible for diagnosing and repairing vehicle problems must exercise reasonable care to protect their customers. They must ensure that each repair they make is done properly and the vehicle is safe to use when returning it to the owner.
Failure to uphold this obligation means they may be held liable if their negligence leads to an accident and injuries. A mechanic also has a duty to:
- Not increase the risk of harm when repairing the vehicle
- Not cause the owner to rely on a faulty vehicle
- Warn a vehicle owner of any hazardous or unrepaired conditions
These conditions must be those that the mechanic is aware of or should be aware of.
The Mechanic May Not Always Be Liable
If a car defect causes an accident, it is not always the mechanic’s fault. For example, suppose the mechanic advised you about the repair, but you failed to adhere to the instructions. In this case, the mechanic may not be liable.
Additionally, if the mechanic unknowingly replaces a component with a defective one, the manufacturer or the distributor may be held liable for a resulting accident under Georgia’s product liability laws.
Proving an Auto Repair Shop’s Negligence
To succeed in a negligence case against a mechanic or auto repair shop, you will need to prove that:
- The named party owed you a duty of care.
- They breached the duty of care by doing defective repair work.
- The breach of duty was the direct cause of the accident.
- You suffered injuries as a result.
One major bottleneck in proving a mechanic’s negligence is that many people do not understand the intricacies of vehicle repairs. Their ignorance of vehicle repairs makes it easy for some shops to get away with doing a bad job or exacerbating existing damage and then claiming otherwise.
The good news is that our car accident lawyers understand the issues surrounding such cases and will help you investigate the matter to discover the truth.
Our Lawyers Will Help You Collect the Necessary Evidence
While you may be convinced that a defective repair job is the cause of your accident, you will need to provide evidence to prove the mechanic’s negligence. Our lawyers will help you with the intricate legal process so you can focus on your recovery.
The evidence we collect for your case might include:
- Photographs of the faulty repairs
- Records of the repairs performed and who performed them
- Expert witness testimony to corroborate your side of the story
- Accident reports
Damages You Could Recover From an Auto Repair Shop
Most auto repair shops have liability insurance coverage for claims like these. Therefore, if you were injured due to a mechanic’s negligence, you could file a personal injury claim with their insurer. Your lawyer could also file a lawsuit in court.
Our car accident attorneys will help you recover damages such as:
- Past and upcoming medical expenses: You may be able to recover damages for your hospital stay, blood work, lab tests, pain medications, surgery, and follow-up visits.
- Lost wages: You might recover the wages you were not able to earn while recovering from your injuries.
- Loss of earning potential: You might collect damages for income you will not be able to make in the future because of a disability or life-long illness the accident caused.
- Pain and suffering: Your lawyer will help you assess the monetary value of the pain you experience.
- Disfigurement: If the accident caused disfigurement, you could recover for this as well.
- Mental anguish: You might collect money for the trauma stemming from the accident.
If your loved one passed on from the accident, you could file a wrongful death claim for damages like funeral and burial expenses.
George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers Can Help Recover All Your Damages
Proving that a mechanic’s defective repair caused your damages can be a difficult process. If you have a case against your mechanic or repair shop due to such a repair, our team can help you build and prove your case for financial recovery.
Our car accident lawyers at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers can fight on your behalf at no upfront cost.* We also offer a free consultation where you will learn about your rights and the legal options available for you. Contact us today to get started: (888) 612-7001.