Residents of California who own an older vehicle may be more prone to neglect routine maintenance, and this can affect their risk for a car crash. Many accidents are caused by defective vehicle equipment, and their number may rise as more people hold onto their older cars rather than purchasing new ones.

In Ohio, for example, the average age of vehicles on the road is 11.8 years, compared to 9.6 years in 2002. Looking at the defect-related crashes that occurred in this state over the past three years, the Ohio Highway Patrol found that 56% were caused by model year 1999-2008 vehicles. Twenty-four percent were due to vehicles made between 2009 and 2018.

The two most common causes of defect-related crashes, Ohio HP said, were blown tires and brake failure. Blown tires were behind 42% of those defect-related crashes that were fatal. Troopers emphasize how these crashes could have been prevented if drivers had maintenance done and repaired issues the moment they arose.

Income has a lot to do with drivers neglecting maintenance. Those with lower income are less likely to buy a new vehicle, considering how expensive one can be. Even a simple job like a bumper replacement can cost $1,000 on a new vehicle because of the sensors and other electronics.

Those who are in a car accident and who find out that the other driver's car had a defect that contributed to the crash may be able to file a personal injury claim. Victims may want to seek legal guidance, though, since it can be hard to negotiate a settlement with auto insurance companies. It could also be difficult to prove that the driver had a reasonable amount of time to fix the issue. If negotiations fail, the victim's lawyer may prepare for litigation.