Many Florida residents who own a car over 10 years old are neglecting to maintain it, which leads to defective equipment in the car and a higher risk for a crash. With the average age of vehicles on the road increasing, though, there are more and more people who are liable to put off tasks like tire replacement and brake checks.
In Ohio, the average age of vehicles is 11.8 years, representing an increase from 9.6 years in 2002. The Ohio Highway Patrol has found that the majority of car crashes that involve defective equipment are caused by older cars. To be specific, 56% of defect-related crashes that occurred in Ohio in the past three years were the doing of model year 1999-2008 vehicles. In 24% of crashes, model year 2009-2018 vehicle owners were responsible. Blown tires were the leading cause of these accidents and were even behind 42% of those defect-related crashes that ended in death. Brake failure was also frequently reported.
It makes sense that people would avoid buying new vehicles. These can be expensive, and with their cameras, sensors and other electronics, something as minor as a bumper replacement can cost up to $1,000. An ordinary car can last around 15 years, too, and run for 300,000 miles.
In Florida, victims of motor vehicle collisions usually file a claim with their own insurance company to be compensated for their economic damages. If their injuries were so severe that personal injury protection cannot cover all the losses, victims may pursue a third-party insurance claim. The process can be complicated, so it may be a good idea to have a lawyer provide guidance at each step. The lawyer may handle all negotiations and take the case to court if a settlement cannot be achieved.