Regular brake maintenance will significantly improve your chances of avoiding an accident.
Many St. Louis car accidents occur due to aggression or lack of attention. A driver will either be texting, multitasking, or driving with their ego, and they will put themselves in a dangerous situation. Unfortunately, even if you avoid these pitfalls, you can still get into an auto accident due to a poorly maintained vehicle. Though many things can go wrong with a car, the most common safety hazard is failing brakes. It is extremely important to make sure your brakes are functioning. Doing so will significantly improve your chances of avoiding an accident altogether.
Why Brakes Are Important
Getting into a car accident or avoiding one is often a matter of inches. When you get into a dangerous situation, two things happen. First, you need to notice the danger yourself. How fast you do so will be based on your attention to the road and your state of mind. Once you see the risk, you hit the brakes. At this point, it is all up to your brakes to keep you safe. An old set that doesn’t work well will increase the distance it takes for you to stop. This can be the difference between rear ending someone and not. It can also be the difference between stopping short of an intersection and entering it. Stopping a few inches short can turn a seriously dangerous situation into a safe one, so ensuring the functionality of your brakes is paramount.
Why People Don’t Maintain Them
Car maintenance can be very frustrating. Not only do you have to take the time out of your day to go to the repair shop, but you often have to pay quite a bit of money when you do. It is very common for people to not go to the mechanic at all until something goes wrong with their vehicle. This habit is understandable but ultimately unwise.
How To Keep Them Functioning
To best way to keep your brakes functioning is through regular checkups. Be sure to take your car into the dealership or mechanic at regular intervals. When you do, they will check the condition of your brakes and tell you when they need to be replaced. Another classic clue is excessive squeaking. This does not always mean the brakes need replacing, but it often does. Lastly, you will likely be able to feel when your brakes are worsening. Once you notice that your stopping distance is rising or that you have to hit the brakes harder for the same effect, it is time to get them checked.
There are five fundamental ways for you to get into a car accident. They are your behavior, other drivers’ behavior, your vehicle maintenance, other drivers’ vehicle maintenance, and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. While some of them are out of your hands, you can still drastically increase your chances of safety by targeting the ones that you can control. Keeping your brakes in good shape is one of those factors, and it is well worth prioritizing.
Despite your best efforts, some accidents simply cannot be avoided. If you end up in one, it is a good idea to speak with a St. Louis car accident attorney as soon as possible. Call us 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE consultation.