Can You Sue Your Mechanic for a Car Accident?

Drivers are involved in car accidents around the clock in Chicago. There are many reasons for these accidents, such as speeding, distracted driving, drunk or intoxicated driving, visibility problems, and road defects. However, sometimes, car accidents can occur because a mechanic made a mistake or failed to properly repair a person’s vehicle. When this happens, you must reach out to a car accident lawyer as quickly as possible to find out if you are eligible to file a claim against your mechanic.

If you are involved in a car accident in Chicago, Illinois, and believe that your mechanic is liable for the accident, you may be able to file a lawsuit against them for the car accident. The reason why this is possible is because Illinois is an at-fault state when it comes to car accidents, meaning that you can hold the responsible individual accountable for your accident. While at-fault parties are usually other drivers who are involved in the accident, an auto mechanic may be found responsible for the accident, injuries, and other losses due to their negligent actions.

Is it possible to hold an auto mechanic liable for a car accident?

Yes, in some cases you can hold an auto mechanic liable for a car accident. This is because they have a duty to provide a certain standard of care when repairing or updating your vehicle. If they breached their duty of care, there is a strong chance that they caused issues with your vehicle to occur, which resulted in a car accident. Therefore, the mechanic would be considered liable for any damages that you suffered.

Keep in mind that you must have proof that the auto mechanic was liable for your accident. This means that you cannot simply blame your mechanic for any accident that you experience. Instead, there must be significant evidence that shows that they had a duty of care, they breached the duty, their negligent behavior directly caused your accident, and you suffered losses as a result of the accident. Without proof of this, you cannot hold a mechanic liable for a car accident.

What are some examples of when a mechanic may be considered negligent?

Trying to understand when a mechanic is considered negligent can be extremely difficult. To get an idea of the types of negligence your Chicago injury attorney may be looking for, here is a list of examples of negligent behavior exhibited by auto mechanics that can lead to car crashes:

• Your mechanic damaged or broke a certain piece or part of your vehicle when they were repairing, fixing, or updating it.
• Your mechanic sold you dangerous, recalled, or defective parts.
• Your mechanic did not perform the services you requested or did not successfully resolve the vehicle issues you were experiencing.
• Your mechanic made unnecessary updates or repairs without your knowledge or consent.
• Your mechanic did not let you know or provide you with paperwork explaining what type of work they completed on your vehicle.
• Your mechanic saw and became aware of a safety hazard on your vehicle but ignored it, chose not to repair it, or bring it to your attention.

As you can see, these examples of negligence can lead to dangerous and devastating accidents. Therefore, if you believe that your auto mechanic may have done something similar which caused your accident, it may be time to reach out to an attorney.

Examples of when your accident may not be considered your mechanic’s fault

When meeting with a lawyer, they will look over the facts and circumstances of your case, which can shed light on whether or not the accident was your mechanic’s fault. Even though it can be challenging to pinpoint who is exactly at fault, there are usually telltale signs that indicate that your mechanic did not play a role in your accident. The following are a few examples of when your accident is likely not your mechanic’s fault:

• You were speeding or driving carelessly.
• You were drunk or intoxicated when the accident occurred.
• Your mechanic clearly told you to not drive the vehicle until you were able to find the time or money to have a certain part updated or repaired.
• You installed or had a friend install a part onto your vehicle instead of the mechanic.
• You were told by the mechanic not to drive for a certain amount of time after having a specific part fixed, replaced, or updated.

How to show proof of mechanic negligence

Proving that your car accident occurred due to your mechanic’s negligence is not always easy. However, with the assistance of a car accident lawyer, you may be able to gather the necessary evidence and information that will successfully prove that your case involved negligence from your mechanic. Here is some of the evidence and information needed to show proof of mechanic negligence:

• Medical records
• Police reports
• Mechanic reports and records
• Receipts or invoices
• Pictures
• Videos
• Surveillance footage
• Eyewitness statements
• Expert witness statements (those with knowledge or work experience involving vehicles)
• Documentation

Are you thinking about filing a lawsuit against your auto mechanic? If so, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers as soon as possible. Our Chicago car accident attorneys are experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable when it comes to various car accidents. We have the ability to provide you with legal advice and resources to help you prove that your mechanic is liable for your accident. Call our office or submit our contact form to set up an appointment to begin discussing and going over your evidence today.