Tips for Dealing with Brake Failure
You are driving along, on the way to work, when something terrifying happens: your brakes give out. You try hard to stop your car. You stomp on the brakes repeatedly, but nothing happens. Unfortunately, brake failure isn’t all that uncommon. When your brakes give out, you and your fellow motorists are put in serious danger.
While brake failure is usually caused by worn-out brakes, sometimes it is caused by faulty manufacturing or improper repair. If this is the case, the manufacturer of your car or the repair shop that serviced your brakes may be liable for any injuries you suffer due to your brakes failing.
What to Do If Your Brakes Fail
Learning that your brakes are unresponsive can be frightening, but it is important to avoid panicking. There may be ways to stop your car even if your brakes have failed. In the event of brake failure, try the following tips to stop your car:
- Alert other drivers by honking your horn and putting your hazard lights on
- Check for an obstruction under or around the brake pedal
- Pump on your brake pedal, as this may generate enough pressure to stop your car
- Shift into a lower gear
- Use your handbrake / emergency brake
While these tips may not work in every case, they do give you a chance to stop your car if your brakes are not allowing you to do so. If you cannot stop your car and you are involved in an accident, you may be able to hold your auto manufacturer or brake service shop accountable for your brake failure. It is important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to see if you have a case.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car wreck because your brakes failed, contact the Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 610-667-7511. You may be entitled to financial compensation.