Poor Vehicle Maintenance Lawsuits in San Marcos: Understanding Your Legal Rights After an Accident

Inadequate vehicle maintenance poses a significant threat on San Marcos roads, leading to preventable accidents and serious injuries. When critical components like brakes, tires, steering systems, or lights fail due to neglect, the consequences can be devastating. Vehicle owners have a legal duty to maintain their vehicles in safe operating condition, and failure to do so may constitute negligence. Common maintenance-related issues include worn brake pads, underinflated tires, faulty windshield wipers, and malfunctioning lights. In personal injury claims, establishing that poor maintenance contributed to the accident requires demonstrating the owner's knowledge of or failure to address maintenance issues. Multiple parties may share liability, including vehicle owners, maintenance providers, or fleet operators. Documentation of maintenance history, repair records, and expert mechanical evaluation often play crucial roles in building a strong case.

Legal Rights and Considerations: Texas law requires vehicles to pass annual safety inspections and maintain minimum safety standards under Transportation Code Chapter 548. Claims must be filed within Texas's two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Texas follows modified comparative negligence rules, meaning plaintiffs can recover damages if they are less than 51% at fault. Insurance considerations include liability coverage requirements of $30,000 per injured person and $60,000 per accident. Vehicle maintenance records and expert testimony are typically critical evidence in these cases.

Many kinds of injuries can happen in a car accident caused by poor vehicle maintenance. Click the links below to get support from an attorney who specializes in your type of injury:

 

Related Resources:

  • Hays County District Court
  • Texas Department of Public Safety Vehicle Inspection Station (1400 Wonder World Drive)
  • San Marcos Police Department Accident Reports Division
  • Central Texas Medical Center Trauma Services
  • Texas Transportation Code (Vehicle Equipment Requirements)
  • Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Protection Division
  • Hays County Victim Services Alliance

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