Negligence: Can I Sue an Auto Repair Shop or Mechanic

There are many people who are suspicious of auto repair shop scams, and before they choose, a trustworthy mechanic will do research first. That is a smart idea since although there are many good mechanics that are available, a poor job can result in more damage – or even life-threatening accidents.

In the state of Georgia, an auto accident victim may legally sue the party or person who is responsible for causing the injuries and accidents. And at times, the negligent party is a mechanic or auto repair shop that worked on the vehicles(s) that were involved in the auto accident. This is often referred to as auto mechanic negligence.

If you suffered damage and an accident from an improperly performed service it is your right to sue an auto shop for negligence with a car accident lawyer.

Mechanic Negligence

When Is a Mechanic Considered to Be Negligent in the State Of Georgia?

Mechanics and auto repair shops have a duty of care to all of their customers. Instances of auto repair shop’s negligence can occur when a vehicle sustains damage after being repaired. Mechanic’s negligence is another concern, where poor repair jobs or additional damage caused by the mechanic can lead to legal action. They need to be careful that they do not cause more damage to any vehicle or return it to the customer in a dangerous condition. If a mechanic or auto repair shops fail to uphold their duty of care and it results in an accident, then they have been negligent. Basically, negligence is a legal term for any carelessness that results in another person being harmed.

Examples of an auto shop or mechanic acting negligently may include the following:

  • An old tire was sold by an auto shop that claimed that the tire was new. The damaged tire blew out on the freeway and resulted in a collision.
  • A flat tire was repaired by a mechanic, but it was not tightened sufficiently, which resulted in the tire malfunctioning that ended up causing an accident.
  • A repair shop claimed that it fixed a problem with your car. However, it led to further external or internal damage.

A driver is sometimes initially blamed for an auto accident, but additional investigation reveals that a mechanic or repair shop worked on the car and failed to properly repair it. That would provide the accident victim with grounds for suing for damages – whether they were driving or not.

For example, there are some truck accidents that occur due to poor inspection or faulty maintenance at an auto shop – and not due to the driver’s negligence. In this case, the people who were injured in a truck accident can make a claim for damages against the repair shop.

How to Prove That A Mechanic Or An Auto Repair Shop That Was Negligent In Your Auto Accident

There is one major roadblock to proving a mechanic or repair shop’s negligence in mechanic repairs: a majority of people do not know a lot about vehicle repairs or cars. Unfortunately, that makes it easy for some shops to get away with doing a bad repair job or claiming they didn’t cause any extra damage.

However, if you hire an experienced car accident attorney, they can help you further investigate the matter and discover the truth.

For instance, The Weinstein Firm has its own team of investigators who will obtain access to the repair records of the vehicle and see precisely which actions were performed on the car. They can discover:

  • Which mechanic did work on the car
  • What work they claimed they did
  • Why the vehicle was taken to begin with
  • Whether or not the repairs were done correctly
  • Any damage that the vehicle experienced or had after being returned to its driver
  • How this damage resulted in an accident

If a repair shop or auto mechanic cause your car accident, then they should be held responsible for the costs you are facing due to their negligence. Our investigative team will work diligently to uncover any evidence of poor service and prove you were not at fault for the accident.

Car accident from mechanic negligence

How Can I Obtain Damages From The Auto Repair Shop?

A majority of shops carry liability insurance for these types of situations involving car repairs. You would file an injury claim against the insurance company for any property damage, injuries, and any other expenses associated with your accident.

If the insurance company and your car accident attorney are unable to reach a fair settlement amount, then your lawyer might recommend suing.

If I Was Not In An Accident Can I Still Sue?

Yes, even if there was no accident, you can still bring a claim for auto mechanic negligence. If you took in your vehicle to be repaired and it was returned to you damaged, the mechanic might have been negligent in his duties. In that type of situation, it might be more difficult to prove the auto repair shop or mechanic’s negligence. However, it is possible to do.

After you notice any additional damage, you may have your vehicle inspected by another mechanic for mistakes in the initial mechanic’s work. That is the first good step to take since in some cases you will be able to work a deal out with the mechanic.

However, if they continue claiming they didn’t make any mistake or refuse to work with you, then you can file a claim against the mechanic in small claims court. Typically you don’t need an attorney’s representation to do this, although you definitely can still work with a lawyer.

However, if your damaged vehicle does result in a car accident, then you will want to get in touch with a Georgia car accident attorney as soon as you can following the accident. They are able to do the best job at investigating all of the details that were part of your accident and the negligence of the mechanic or repair shop.

Were You Involved In An Accident That Was Caused By A Mechanic’s Negligence?

Vehicle repair mistakes can be very dangerous and even deadly in some cases. If a mechanic’s negligence led to a failure to ensure that it was safe to drive a vehicle, then they need to be held accountable for their negligence and the damage it has caused. If repair problems resulted in an accident, then you need help from a good car accident attorney.

Should You Hire a Lawyer?

It is advisable that you speak with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible if you were in an accident. Moreso, if you are planning to sue the mechanic or car repair shop.

An experienced lawyer can help you with the following:

Investigating your claim

A lawyer will have the resources to investigate your accident and gather the necessary evidence to support your case. This might include obtaining the repair records from the mechanic or auto shop and speaking to witnesses.

Filing your lawsuit

Your lawyer will ensure your lawsuit is filed in the correct court and within the deadline.

Representing you in court

If your case goes to trial, your lawyer will provide strong legal representation. This might involve questioning witnesses and presenting evidence to the judge or jury.

Negotiating a settlement

If the mechanic or auto shop offers to settle your case, your lawyer will advise you on whether the offer is fair. If it is not, they will negotiate with the other side to try and reach a better settlement.

Hiring a lawyer to represent you increases your chances of compensation for your injuries, damages, and other losses. It also takes the stress off you so you can focus on your recovery.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover?

If you are successful in your lawsuit, you might be able to recover the following types of damages:

  • Medical expenses: This might include the cost of hospitalization, surgery, medication, and rehabilitative therapy.
  • Lost wages: If you missed time from work because of your injuries, you could recover your lost wages.
  • Pain and suffering: You might be able to recover compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering that you endured because of the accident.
  • Property damage: If your vehicle or other property was damaged in the accident, you could recover the cost of repairs or replacement.

If you lost a loved one in an accident caused by a negligent mechanic, you might be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The surviving family members file this type of lawsuit, and it allows them to recover compensation for their losses, including funeral expenses, lost income, and the loss of emotional support.

Car accident lawyer for mechanic negligence

Get Help From an Experienced Georgia Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents are often complex and can be difficult to navigate on your own. If you were injured or a loved one was killed in an accident caused by a negligent mechanic, you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

At The Weinstein Firm, we have many years of experience working with victims of car accidents and always side with the victim. We offer a free consultation so that you can learn more about your legal options without any obligation.

Whether you decide to hire us or not, we will always give you our honest opinion and fight hard to get you the best possible outcome. Give us a call at 770-HELP-NOW today, or fill out our contact form on this page to speak with our team.

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