Most car accidents result from bad driving behaviors like tailgating, distracted driving, and speeding. These are not the only causes of Alabama crashes. Vehicle faults can cause drivers to lose control and hit vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Unfortunately, car inspection laws in Alabama do not proactively look for potential equipment failures.
You can pursue an injury claim if a crash results from negligence. For example, you likely have a claim against a tire shop that failed to torque your lug nuts to the manufacturer’s specifications, causing you to lose control of your vehicle and crash. Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers can tailor a legal strategy to pursue fair compensation.
Contact our Alabama car accident attorneys at 205-206-5088 for a free initial consultation if you were injured in a crash.
How Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Alabama
Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers has represented accident victims across Alabama since 2002. Our attorneys have over 90 years of combined legal experience. Since the firm’s founding, our Alabama car accident lawyers have successfully represented thousands of clients, securing life-changing settlements and damage awards.
If someone else’s actions injure you, our law firm provides the following services:
- Evaluating your situation and explaining your legal options
- Collecting the evidence, testimony, and records needed to prove your case
- Filing an insurance claim and negotiating for a fair settlement
- Litigating against the at-fault party and their insurer if settlement talks fail
If a car accident happens in Alabama, the injuries could disable you from working or participating in the activities you enjoy. Contact our Alabama personal injury lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your collision and the compensation you can seek under state law.
How Many Alabama Car Accidents Result From Equipment Failures?
Only about 2% of collisions happen due to equipment failures, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study. This still means that up to 2,885 crashes out of the 144,263 crashes in Alabama in 2022 may have resulted from faulty or damaged equipment.
Examples of equipment that could cause a car accident include:
- Faulty brakes
- Worn tires
- Damaged or improperly mounted wheels and lug nuts
- Broken steering parts
- Defective or worn suspension components
Unfortunately, many car owners cannot identify these faults even if they inspect their vehicles regularly. In many situations, the driver must take the vehicle to a mechanic to determine the problem.
Alabama Car Inspection Requirements
Many states require vehicle owners to have their vehicles inspected regularly. The hope is that the inspector, typically a certified mechanic, would catch these equipment problems before they cause a crash. Some states implemented these requirements willingly, while Congress coerced others using the 1966 National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
This act required states to pass many of the traffic safety laws you take for granted, including:
- Motorcycle helmet safety requirements
- Blood-alcohol limits for DUI
- Vehicle inspections tied to registration
A few years after it was implemented, Congress watered down the enforcement provisions. When these requirements became optional, the states began repealing the less popular laws. Motorcycle helmet requirements were watered down or rescinded, and vehicle inspection systems were dismantled.
In 2024, only 13 states require safety inspections. Texas repealed its law effective in 2025 so that number will drop to 12.
Alabama follows the majority of states. Alabama auto owners do not need safety inspections to register vehicles. The state requires a VIN inspection after a private sale, but that inspection only requires an inspector to read the VIN and match it with the title.
Spot Inspections
Police officers are not helpless if they see a dangerous vehicle. Alabama law allows police officers to stop any vehicle that violates provisions.
Since the state vehicle code includes several equipment standards, officers have the authority to stop vehicles for:
- Damaged or defective equipment, like a malfunctioning headlight
- Missing equipment, like a missing windshield
- Illegally added equipment, like racing tires
Officers can tow undriveable vehicles or require drivers to remove them from public roads.
Liability For Crashes Caused By Defective Equipment
An insurance adjuster or jury determines fault by evaluating the negligent party’s actions. Negligence means the party failed to exercise reasonable care and, due to their failing, someone suffered an injury.
A vehicle owner isn’t necessarily liable for equipment failures. They may be responsible for crashes caused by an equipment failure if they knew or should have known their vehicle was dangerous.
Suppose that a driver ignored a squealing and shuddering brake for several months. If the brake pad slips out of a caliper because of excessive wear, the driver won’t be able to brake, and someone could suffer an injury or death. The driver would likely be liable for the victim’s losses.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Experienced Alabama Car Accident Lawyers
Vehicle faults can cause serious injuries to drivers and road users. Reach out to Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss compensation.