Through the course of our casework we have seen numerous cases involving claims of unintended vehicle acceleration. Whether our investigation determined that the cause was electrical, mechanical, or…
In this article, automotive engineer Marcus Mazza shares his expert insight on the standard of care for vehicle maintenance and repair stations.
We are frequently asked this question in the course of a crash investigation. The answer is not always simple and depends on a number of factors including, why the vehicle was being serviced, what specific work the vehicle was having done, and who was performing the work. In this article we discuss some of these questions as a starting point to assist in your investigation. As a general note, any repair or service station is responsible for the quality of the work they have performed. This includes the quality and completeness of workmanship as well as the selection of parts and components that are appropriate for the vehicle.
In the course of completing their job, technicians and service stations are obligated to notify their customer of any unsafe conditions they notice. In certain situations, a maintenance or repair station may be responsible for inspecting components outside of the initial scope for which the vehicle was brought in.
An analysis of any of these questions requires an understanding of the job performed, the process for completing it, and the facility in which it was performed. It is essential to understand if the vehicle was placed on a lift, whether or not wheels were removed as part of the process, and many other factors that may impact whether or not a particular condition would have been obvious.
For cases involving the repair and maintenance of motor vehicles, Robson Forensic offers automotive engineers with firsthand experience working as automotive technicians. Many of our experts who investigate these matters are ASE certified technicians, some have owned their own garages, all of them are meticulous in the maintenance of their own vehicles.
From complex crash reconstruction to developing demonstrative evidence for court testimony, the transportation experts at Robson Forensic are well equipped to assist in your investigation. Our experts have in-depth knowledge of how vehicles are designed and built, they are fluent in the regulations affecting trucking operations, and have designed, built, and maintained our nation’s transportation infrastructure.
For more information visit our Vehicles & Roadway Systems page.
Through the course of our casework we have seen numerous cases involving claims of unintended vehicle acceleration. Whether our investigation determined that the cause was electrical, mechanical, or…