Each Los Angeles auto accident attorney at our firm welcomed the September 2015 news that San Francisco banned tour drivers from driving and narrating simultaneously. Distracted driving is a serious concern for everyone on the road. Applying strict regulations for vehicles that carry many passengers is a logical step toward safety. However, it is important for individuals to keep their eyes on any number of issues that can cause serious accidents — including those that do not involve driver error.

Recent Deadly Accident Points to Mechanical Error

On September 25th, SeattlePI reported a crash in Seattle between a Ride the Ducks vehicle and a charter bus. That accident killed five people and injured dozens of others, mostly from the bus. At the time of the accident, police saw no signs of intoxication by any involved drivers. However, witnesses reported wheel issues on the Duck vehicle, including a fluid leak from one of the tires.

Less than a week later, state regulators suspended operations of Ride the Ducks of Seattle and filed a formal complaint against that company. While upcoming investigations will look at the driving records of all vehicle operators, the most pertinent questions seem to involve known mechanical issues and the company's safety practices:

• A 2013 safety bulletin from Ride the Ducks International recommended an axle repair.
• It is unclear whether the Seattle company received that bulletin.
• It is clear that the involved vehicle did not have the required repair and that failure caused the vehicle to go out of control.

Mechanical Failures Can Cause Accidents to Any Vehicle at Any Time

Of course, mechanical failures are not limited to major tour vehicles. In fact, passenger vehicle drivers accept liability for their own injuries — and injuries to others — because they believe they were at fault when a vehicle malfunction actually caused their accidents. Just as the Ride the Ducks accident may point to fault on any number of parties, auto accident lawyers may need to look beyond the obvious causes to determine if a faulty car repair, defective parts or even a poorly-communicated vehicle recall was the real reason for the accident.

This is just one reason why anyone involved in a car accident should avoid admitting fault at the accident scene. It is better to save liability theories for discussions with an experienced attorney. For a free consultation, call The Rudman Law Firm APC toll-free at (844) 478-3626 / (844) 4RUDMAN, at our Los Angeles office (213) 375-3777 or at our Studio City office (818) 769-6969. You can also use our convenient online contact form to reach us at any time.