Imagine yourself making the same turns you always do on your way home. As the traffic slows, you apply the brakes. However, your car doesn’t react as it should this time. The car in front of you is rear-ended.

Your brake pads were worn thin, it turns out. Injuries result from the accident. And now you have to deal with a possible lawsuit rather than just auto repair. If you’re ever in that position, it’s important to get legal help after a car crash. A simple maintenance check could have prevented everything.

The majority of drivers are aware that maintaining their car prolongs its lifespan. Many people are unaware that maintaining their property properly can also keep them out of trouble with the law.

Broken lights, bald tires, and malfunctioning brakes are not merely mechanical issues. If they cause an accident, they may become legally liable.

So, how can you lower your risk? Start with a few easy routines. These five car care practices may help you stay out of trouble and on the road.

1. Keep Your Brakes in Top Shape

One of the most crucial safety features of any car is the brakes. They are also among the most frequently overlooked. Many drivers don’t pay much attention to their brakes until they begin to make noise, but it may be too late by then.

Your stopping distance may increase as a result of worn brake pads, low brake fluid, or failing brake lines. Sometimes, when you need your brakes the most, they may not function at all. If an investigation reveals that you disregarded warning signs and you struck another vehicle because your brakes failed to respond, you may be held legally liable for the damages.

What to do:

• When braking, pay attention to any strange noises, such as squealing or grinding.
• Get it checked if the pedal feels soft or if your car pulls to one side.
• At regular service intervals, have your system inspected and your brake fluid topped off.

Your brakes can be kept dependable and your chances of a costly accident and a court appearance decreased with a quick inspection every few months.

2. Replace Worn-Out Tires

Your car is connected to the road by its tires. They handle poorly in wet conditions, lose grip, and lengthen your stopping distance when they’re worn out. You could lose control and put other people and yourself in danger if you suddenly blow out on the highway.

Driving with damaged or bald tires may be viewed as negligence from a legal perspective. Even if you were not the direct cause of the accident, you could still be held accountable if it turns out that your tires were in poor condition.

How to proceed:

• Every month, check the tread on your tires. Apply the penny test by placing Lincoln’s head down and inserting a penny into the tread. The tread is too low if you can see the top of his head.
• Examine the sidewalls for bulges, cracks, or uneven wear.
• Particularly prior to the winter or rainy seasons, rotate your tires frequently and replace them as necessary.

In addition to keeping you safer, maintaining your tires also eliminates another potential point of blame in the event of a legal dispute.

3. Fix Broken Lights and Turn Signals

A headlight or taillight going out might not seem like a huge deal. However, those lights are essential for interacting with other motorists. Slowing down is indicated by brake lights. Turn signals inform people of your destination. Without them, it’s hard to know what you’re trying to do, and that uncertainty can cause a collision.

Driving with damaged exterior lights is actually against the law in many states. You might be held accountable if someone strikes you while you’re changing lanes and your turn signal isn’t working. Even worse, that little lightbulb could become a major legal problem if someone is hurt and it turns out that your lights were off.

How to proceed:

• Once a month, check all of the bulbs in your car by walking around it with the lights on.
• Remember to use your license plate lights, high beams, and reverse lights.
• Change the bulbs as soon as possible. If you can, keep a few spares in your glove box.

This type of upkeep is easy and affordable. Ignoring it, however, can have dire repercussions, particularly in court.

4. Stay on Top of Fluid Leaks

Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and oil are all necessary for your car to function. Your car may overheat, stop shifting correctly, or lose braking power if any of these begin to leak. Some leaks even endanger lives or harm the environment.

Imagine now that a leak results in a malfunction that leads to an accident. Even worse, someone trips and falls in a parking lot due to a fluid leak. You could find yourself in a dangerous legal situation if it can be demonstrated that you were aware of the leak and chose not to fix it.

How to proceed:

• Regularly check underneath your vehicle for fresh stains or puddles.
• Get your car checked out if you detect smoke, a burning smell, or strange performance problems.
• Ask your mechanic to check for leaks and schedule routine oil changes.

Ignoring a minor leak could eventually result in a large repair bill or even a lawsuit. Early detection protects your wallet and keeps you safer.

5. Get Regular Inspections and Keep Records

Even with careful maintenance, a skilled mechanic can see details that you might overlook. Your first line of defense against hidden issues is routine inspections. Additionally, having documentation proving you took good care of your car can help shield you in the event of a legal dispute.

Imagine being sued following an incident. You arrive with maintenance records attesting to tire rotations, brake inspections, and fluid top-offs. That documentation may serve as evidence that you were responsible and took good care of your car. Although it can strengthen your case, it does not ensure legal immunity.

What to do:

• Adhere to the owner’s manual’s suggested maintenance schedule for your vehicle.
• Keep all of your service records, inspection reports, and receipts in one location.
• Giving those records to the next owner when you sell your car fosters trust and demonstrates accountability.

Maintaining accurate records may seem unnecessary, but in court, they can mean the difference between being found guilty or not.

Final Thoughts

When driving, nobody wants to consider getting into legal trouble. However, accidents do occur. When they do, the condition of your car will be examined. Simple features like functional lights, good tires, and working brakes can make the difference between a minor collision and a serious lawsuit. And if you’re already involved in a wreck, having proper documentation and maintenance history can help you file your car accident claim more smoothly.

These five maintenance practices are simple. They don’t call for costly equipment or in-depth mechanical knowledge. However, they do call for awareness and consistency.

Begin modestly. Check your lights today, perhaps. Next week, schedule a tire rotation. Reviewing your service records every few months should become a habit. Every action you take increases the safety of you, your passengers, and other drivers.

Maintaining the smooth operation of your vehicle is not enough. It’s about keeping yourself safe and out of trouble.