Longtime residents of Salt Lake City, UT, may recall the annual vehicle safety inspections. However, the state legislature repealed most of the car inspection laws in Utah in 2017. As of January 1, 2018, most private vehicle owners are no longer required to obtain inspection certificates to renew their vehicle registrations.
While this change reduced the red tape of owning a vehicle, it did so at the expense of road safety since at least some car accidents could be prevented through safety inspections. McMinn Law Firm provides legal assistance to injury victims in Salt Lake City, Utah, after collisions caused by avoidable equipment failures.
Contact us today at (385) 462-7630 to schedule a free consultation with our Salt Lake City car accident lawyers.
How McMinn Law Firm Can Help After an Equipment Failure Accident in Salt Lake City, UT
At McMinn Law Firm, our attorneys have over 40 years of combined experience fighting for the rights of injured people.
After you suffer an injury in a preventable traffic crash, our Salt Lake City personal injury lawyers can support you in the following ways:
- Evaluate your situation and gather evidence to support your case
- Prepare and file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurer
- Respond to any claim denials and negotiate for a fair resolution
- Take your case to court if the at-fault party and their insurer refuse to settle
Equipment failure cases can involve complicated fact patterns and legal arguments. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Salt Lake City car accident attorney. We’ll listen to what happened and explain your options for pursuing compensation under Utah law.
Utah Vehicle Inspections
Since the broad repeal of Utah’s safety inspection requirements, most vehicle owners don’t need annual safety inspections.
However, owners of the following vehicles must still obtain safety inspection certificates:
- Street-legal all-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles
- Street-legal novel vehicles, such as prototypes and custom-built vehicles
- Salvage vehicles that were deemed totaled by insurers and restored
- Commercial motor vehicles
- Ground transportation vehicles, specifically airport shuttles
- Taxis
- Buses and vans for hire
Any other vehicle is exempt from safety inspections, although an emission test may be required for residents of certain counties.
Utah Equipment Standards
However, the repeal of safety inspections didn’t alter the state’s equipment standards. Instead, the burden of stopping unsafe vehicles now falls on police officers rather than inspection stations.
Utah law prohibits motorists from operating a vehicle in the state if it meets any of the following conditions:
- So unsafe that it endangers any person
- Lacks required equipment, such as functioning brake lights
- Features prohibited equipment, such as flashing lights or dark tint
The police can stop any driver suspected of violating these requirements, and they can also inspect the vehicle without obtaining a search warrant. If the inspection reveals that the vehicle violates Utah law, the officer can issue a citation.
Common Car Equipment Failures in Salt Lake City
Equipment failures that can cause traffic crashes include:
- Worn or damaged tires
- Damaged or loose wheels
- Non-functioning headlights, tail lights, turn signals, or brake lights
- Brake defects
Of these, the most common issues arise from the vehicle’s tires. Bald tires can rupture, causing the driver to lose control of their vehicle. Worn tires can also lose traction, particularly on wet or icy roads.
Liability Under Utah Law for Crashes Caused By Equipment Problems
Under Utah’s modified comparative fault law, accident victims can still recover if they are partially at fault as long as they are found less than 50% responsible for their injuries. The liability for collisions caused (at least in part) by equipment failures can also fall on multiple other parties.
Drivers and Vehicle Owners
If the driver or owner knew or should have known about the equipment problem, they may be considered negligent for continuing to use the vehicle without addressing it.
For example, suppose that a car has squeaky, spongy brakes. The brakes fail, causing a rear-end collision. The operator or owner may be liable for failing to address a significant issue with the vehicle in a reasonable manner.
Manufacturers
Manufacturers are strictly liable for injuries caused by defective products. If the manufacturer leaves a vehicle or auto part with a defect, accident victims may have a product liability claim.
Someone hurt in a crash might have a claim against an auto manufacturer if the design of their car’s accelerator caused it to get stuck, resulting in the vehicle speeding up uncontrollably.
Repair Garages
Repair garages have a legal duty to provide reasonably competent and skilled services. Consequently, they may be liable for injuries resulting from unreasonable mistakes.
For example, a garage could be held liable for a crash that occurred when a vehicle’s wheel fell off due to improperly tightened lug nuts.
Contact Our Salt Lake City Car Accident Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation
The liability for equipment-related car accidents may fall on a variety of parties. McMinn Law Firm can help explain what laws are applicable to your case and help you determine who is at fault for your equipment-related accident.
Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how our Salt Lake City car accident lawyers stand up to manufacturers, repair shops, and negligent drivers to pursue injury compensation.
