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Driving a car is a big responsibility, and you must keep it well-maintained. But even with the best care, there is still the chance of your car breaking down and disappointing you. As much as we think we are in control of our vehicles, there are times when it decides to do their own thing. The engine could stall, brakes might fail or the tires could just burst.
When you notice that your car has a problem, it is easy to get overwhelmed and stressed out by the implications. You might think about how much the car repair will cost, and how inconvenient it will be to take your car to the mechanic. But putting off repairs can lead to an accident, which can cause serious injury or even death. It is important to be proactive about car repairs so that you can keep yourself and your family safe. These are some of the most common car problems while driving that can lead to serious road accidents.
Leaks
A fuel leak is dangerous and will make your car tell you to “check engine.” Usually, it’s just a matter of a gas cap being loose, but sometimes it could be because of a cracked hose. Remember your car engine has a network of canisters and hoses to manage the emissions from your car. Any broken component can lead to a leak. One symptom is that your air-conditioning system is not working. One possibility behind this is you don’t have refrigerant left anymore. To check if you have an oil leak, open the engine bay and wash it. Look to also change your oil filter regularly.
How Car Leaks May Lead To Accidents
Leakage can lead to accidents because it can cause your vehicle’s performance to falter. When your car’s performance falters, it becomes more difficult for you to handle your vehicle and avoid obstacles that may be in your path.
Car leaks are only manageable when they are small. But when they are not repaired promptly, they can lead to accidents. This is because a car that is leaking oil or any other fluid is likely to be slippery to the driver and cause them to lose control of the vehicle. Additionally, if a car starts leaking while moving at high speeds, it can cause the tires to skid and increase the chances of an accident. If you’ve been hit because of a faulty maintained car, you may be entitled to compensation for any medical bills or other damages related to the accident. An Atlanta car accident lawyer will be able to help guide you through this process, especially if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence.
Overheating
This problem increases in likelihood during summer. You’ll have to park your car immediately on the side, switch off your air conditioner when this dilemma arises. Most of the time, the main reason for your car to heat up dramatically is low fluid or an inefficient cooling system. As such, you should always check your car’s fluids like the engine coolant and engine oil consistently.
How Overheating May Lead To Accidents
Car overheating has been said to be one of the leading causes of car accidents in Atlanta. This happens when the engine overheats, which can cause a breakdown or even an engine fire. It can also make your vehicle lose power and stall. If it is not checked, severe damage can be done to your car engine, which will not only cost you repairs but may also lead to an accident if you are driving at high speed on a highway or expressway.
Flat tires
You can avoid this problem by checking your tires at service stations using their tire gauge. If your car is entirely new, you’re in luck as your vehicle will have a monitoring system that can detect if your tires have enough pressure. During summer, this is something to look out for because the heat can raise air pressure and affect your tires.
How Flat tires May Lead To Accidents
As with any other car problem mentioned above, flat tires can lead to accidents. If they’re flat, it’s going to be difficult to drive as normal. If you think that you have a flat tire, let up on the gas pedal to slow down gradually and pull over. Pulling over too suddenly can cause you to skid or other drivers to run into you.
Dead Starter or Battery
One of the worst things that can happen on a road trip or a getaway is the engine fails to start. The battery is the problem in this case. You should routinely check the plastic pieces that are around the battery because they help in keeping the battery fresh and so extending its life. You can also lessen the risk of starting failure by replacing your car battery every three years or so depending on the recommendation of your car manufacturer. It’s also possible that your failed launch is because your alternator has issues. Look to have it regularly checked and replaced if it’s beyond its recommended working life.
How a Dead Starter or Battery May Lead To Accidents
A dead starter or a dead battery can be really dangerous when you are driving and it happens suddenly. It can lead to a major road accident in case you are driving at high speeds or driving uphill or downhill. A sudden stop on the road can lead to a rear-end collision.
Noisy brakes
This one is particularly dangerous because it could mean your brakes have worn out or loose. Also, there could be brake dust which is highly toxic if inhaled. If you hear a high-pitched squeal when you use the brake, this is a signal to change the brake pads. If the sound is like metal grinding, then it means your brake rotors are getting damaged.
How Noisy Brakes May Lead To Accidents
Brake failure is one of the most common car problems while driving that can lead to accidents. As you should know already, brakes play a huge role when it comes to avoiding collisions with obstacles on the road. That being said, if your brakes don’t work properly or at all, then you are putting yourself and other people at risk as well. When your brakes start acting up, take them in for repairs immediately!
Final thoughts
Having a car is like having a child. You need to continually monitor and take care of it. Properly maintained, your car will last beyond its average lifespan.
About the Author Atty. Jason M. Ferguson
Jason M. Ferguson, the founder of Ferguson Law Group, started his career working for an automobile insurance company as a trial attorney before owning his injury law firm for over 20 years. Attorney Ferguson has a unique experience, having tried cases on both sides of the court system in personal injury trials, unlike many other lawyers. Mr. Ferguson also served over 14 years as an Army Reserve officer and the Georgia Air National Guard. The Albany Herald recognized him as one of southwest Georgia’s “40 under 40” in 2010.
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