Brake maintenance is one of those vehicle repairs people rarely think about… until it’s too late.
Brake service should be one of the first things you think about when it comes to vehicle safety. It’s what allows you to stop safely when another driver suddenly pulls out in front of you, or when that tree unexpectedly falls in the road.
Without working brakes, there isn’t much else you can do to avoid a serious crash.
But here’s the thing…
Proper brake maintenance is…
- Free to monitor
- Simple to keep up with
Regular brake maintenance is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself on the road and keep serious crashes at bay.
What you’ll learn:
- Brake Maintenance is More Important Than You Think
- The Ways Bad Brakes Cause Car Accidents
- Important Brake Failure Warning Signs
- Steps To Take After a Brake Failure Crash
Brake Maintenance is More Important Than You Think
Faulty brakes are a disaster waiting to happen.
Every time you press down on that brake pedal, you’re trusting brake pads, rotors, fluid and lines to work together to slow down and stop your vehicle. When you start neglecting brake maintenance those parts wear down… and failure is inevitable.
When that happens, you can kiss your hard-earned money goodbye.
According to NHTSA’s early estimates, traffic crashes killed roughly 39,345 people in 2024. Believe it or not, many of those vehicle collisions were caused by cars with mechanical defects that could have easily been avoided with regular maintenance.
If you were injured in a car accident because someone failed to maintain their brakes, call an Atlanta car accident lawyer today for your free consultation. It only takes a few minutes to talk to an attorney about your options after an accident. That conversation could make all the difference in your case.
Let’s just say…
Brake maintenance isn’t optional if you want to protect yourself on the road.
How Bad Brakes Cause Car Accidents
Now you know neglecting brakes puts everyone on the road at risk. But how does poor brake maintenance cause collisions?
All it takes is not enough stopping power.
Weak brake pads, low fluid, warped rotors and any other number of problems can increase your vehicle stopping distance. That doesn’t sound like much, but in seconds count crashes, that fraction of time can mean everything.
Statistics prove it too. Recent studies found that 22% of collisions involving vehicle defects were caused by bad brakes. That puts poor braking as the number 2 cause of vehicular defects leading to crashes. Tires are number 1.
Think about that…
Over 1 in 5 crashes that should have never happened are caused by negligent drivers on the road who refused to maintain their brakes.
While there are many reasons brakes don’t work as they should, these are the most common issues that lead to failure:
- Weak brake pads: As brake pads wear down, they don’t grip the way they should. This drastically lengthens stopping distance.
- Low brake fluid: Without enough hydraulic pressure, brakes don’t respond like they should.
- Damaged rotors: Brake rotors that have become warped can cause your vehicle to pull to one side when braking.
- Broken brake lines: Corroded lines can leak, causing your vehicle to lose braking pressure.
Drivers don’t typically notice these problems right away. It takes time for brake pads to wear down to the point of causing issues. Vehicles pulling to one side doesn’t feel right, but drivers slowly adjust to that feeling until things suddenly get worse.
Important Brake Failure Warning Signs
But you can stop that negligence cycle. You have the power to prevent negligent drivers from taking your life.
Recognizing the common signs of brake failure is the first step.
Ignoring brake problems will eventually lead to failure. But brake pads don’t wear down overnight. Your vehicle doesn’t suddenly lose brake fluid.
Here are some signs to look for that indicate you should have your brakes checked:
- Squealing noise when pressing the brake pedal: You know that high pitched noise your brakes make when you first start driving? That’s your brake pads wearing down and trying to warn you they need to be changed.
- Burning smell near your tires: If you smell that chemical burning smell when pressing your brakes, get your car checked out immediately.
- Pulling to one side: As mentioned before, this is a sign your rotors are damaged. Get them fixed ASAP.
- The brake warning light on your dash is on: This should be obvious, but people ignore their dashboard lights. Don’t be that driver.
- Brake pedal feels soft or spongy: If you press down on your brakes and it feels like there’s no resistance, you need to get your brakes checked. Badly.
These are just a few of the most common signs your brakes need to be looked at by a professional. While some issues on this list are easier to ignore than others, they all matter.
Fixing small brake maintenance issues is affordable. Neglecting them until they cause you to crash? Not so much.
What To Do After a Brake Failure Crash
So your brakes failed and now you’ve been involved in a crash. What do you do?
Like with any vehicle collision, take a deep breath and try to stay calm.
During this time it’s easy to let your emotions get the best of you. But panicking does nothing to help your current situation. Instead, follow these steps.
- Safety first. If possible, pull out of traffic. Turn on your hazards to alert other motorists.
- Call for help. Even if you think everyone is okay, call an ambulance. Police should respond as well to file a report.
- Take pictures. Any details about the crash can help your case should you decide to take legal action. Photos of the damage to all vehicles involved, road conditions, weather, brake lines, etc.
- Get checked out. Some injuries take time to appear. If you feel you’re okay, you probably will be. But it doesn’t hurt to get checked out by a medical professional.
- Contact an attorney. If your crash was caused by someone else’s poorly maintained brakes, you have rights. A knowledgeable car accident attorney can help you learn about your options. Call for a free consultation today.
One thing to keep in mind is that if the brake failure was caused by a manufacturer defect, you may be able to hold the manufacturer or auto parts maker responsible. These cases can get very complex. Having an attorney on your side can help you sort out those details.
Brake Safety Recap
Never underestimate the importance of properly maintained brakes. Faulty brakes cause hundreds of thousands of preventable crashes every year. Accidents that cost people:
- Their lives
- Their hard earned money
- Their peace of mind
Don’t become a statistic. Maintain your brakes and encourage others to do the same. If you’ve noticed any squealing, burning smells or any other problems with your brakes, get them fixed today.
Here’s a quick recap of everything you’ve learned:
- Poorly maintained brakes are a leading mechanical cause of vehicle accidents.
- Brake failure signs should never be ignored.
- Older vehicles require more frequent brake inspections.
- Document everything after a crash and seek legal counsel.
- Regular maintenance is the best thing you can do to prevent brake failure.
Brakes don’t fix themselves and neither should you when it comes to maintaining them. Stay safe, and remember… pay attention to your brakes!