Auto Accident: The Age Of Your Car And Your Personal Injury Case

You may think the age of your car shouldn't have anything to do with who is at fault in an automobile accident. However, it's possible that your car's age can come into question. Is your older car inherently a liability because of its age? If you get in an accident, will the age of your car make a difference in a personal injury case?

Driving without Technology

Older cars, such as classic cars, lack a lot of modern safety technology. An argument can be made that even cars only a decade or two old lack many modern safety features.

• Modern braking systems are nothing like the braking systems of decades old vehicles
• Handling improves with each new iteration of a vehicle
• Computers do much of the safety and functions monitoring on modern vehicles
• Older vehicles exclusively rely on the diligence of the driver

Does that then mean that any car that isn't relatively new is a safety liability? Of course it doesn't. But it does mean that someone in a newer car may have less to prove if the accident turns into a personal injury case.

Records and History Can Help

Even if you do drive an older car, you will find yourself in a good position if you can prove that you've maintained it well. Service records, proof of repairs, and receipts for maintenance can all help your case. If you made modifications specifically to make your older car safer, then that can help as well.

Your driving record can also play a role in your case. Older car or not, if you have a clean driving history and the other person doesn't, it can prove you were likely the more responsible driver.

Modern Cars Can Defeat Themselves

That same technology that can make a more recent model safer, can also help your case. Just think of all the features a late-model can have. Many cars these days have cameras and sensors. With this kind of equipment, the vehicle can detect imminent collisions and monitor blind spots. And late-model cars have all kinds of monitoring abilities built in. They can monitor gas, oil, tire pressure, stability, and even seat belt tension.

With all of those safety features, and all of that protection, a person can still negligently cause an accident. The information gathered by the car can show conclusively how the accident played out. It can also show if the late-model vehicle was currently under any kind of warning that could have contributed to the accident.

Age Matters But It's Not Everything

If you're in a car accident, the age of your car can play a role, but that doesn't mean it will represent the most important factor in your case. Speak to a professional accident attorney about your situation. He or she will help you figure out how to present your case.