Damage to Vehicle by a Repair Shop
Generally speaking, we handle used car cases when an individual buys a used car only to find out after the sale that the car is suffering from a serious defect. However, there are more potential causes of action that can arise from used cars than those that arise at the time of sale. For example, sometimes, we are able to sue a repair shop or mechanic for messing up a car while trying to repair it. We received a phone call recently from a woman who has owned a car for a couple of years. It recently started to exhibit some issues. She took it to a mechanic who said nothing was wrong with the car. However, when she got the car back, it was making a horrible noise and sounded like the engine was dying. She took it to a friend who said there is something wrong and she wants to sue the mechanic.
This is certainly a case we can handle, but we need some information first. We need to know what is wrong with the vehicle now. What is causing it to make the horrible noise? Is the problem able to be fixed? How much will the repairs cost. Finally, and maybe most importantly, we need to know how likely it is that the mechanic really caused the problem.
The final element, knowing whether the mechanic caused the problem, will make or break the case. It is not illegal for a mechanic to look at a car and for the car to exhibit a greater issue when you get it back from the mechanic. For example, you could take your car to a mechanic for an engine issue. When you pick it up, the car may be exhibiting brake issues. Those issues are likely unrelated. As such, it is really hard to demonstrate that the mechanic caused the brake issue. However, if you took the car to the mechanic for an engine issue and the car comes back to you with the check engine light on, that’s a potential case.
If we are able to show that a mechanic caused you more problems than you had before taking the car to the mechanic, then we may be able to sue that mechanic for the cost of the repairs. In certain cases, we may even be able to make the mechanic pay your attorney’s fees. So, here is what we need to know:
- Why did you take it to the first mechanic in the beginning?
- What is the new problem you are experiencing?
- How much will it cost to repair the problem?
- Do you have another mechanic that can tell us that the first mechanic caused the problem?
Once you have this information, give us a call. We’d love to talk with you.