Illegally Altered Vehicles, especially by amateur mechanics, is an issue of concern for the security of drivers and pedestrians alike. The majority car fanatics tinker with their cars for both aesthetic and mechanical purposes, unfortunately, other ‘improvements’ can pose serious safety threats leading to injuries. This paper digs deeper into the different forms of illegal vehicle alterations, their correlation with accident frequency and the legal issues that ensue for the motorists involved. Further, we will demonstrate how our review of medical records facilitates lawyers in matters of accidents attributable to illegal modifications of vehicles.
Defining Illegal Vehicle Modifications
What is illegal vehicle modification?
Modification of vehicles encompasses changes to a car that go against the state and federal laws such as:
• Suspension Modifications: Suspension changes, such as raising or lowering the height of a vehicle’s center of gravity, is legally restricted in a way that balances handling and stability.
• Alterations to the engine: Mechanical enhancements to an automobile’s motor designed to amplify performance without adequate security augmentations may result in power breakdowns and a host of other problems with the vehicle.
• Exhaust modifications: Fitting new exhaust a system that powerfully exceed the noise regulations and distract other drivers is a sure way to get a bad accident.
• Lighting modifications: The use of nonstandard headlights and taillights serve to lower the vision of other road users which could cause confusion.
• Tire and Wheel Modifications – The use of oversized tires or wheels may adversely affect a vehicle’s handling and braking performance.
What Drives Drivers to Modify Their Vehicles?
Drivers modify their vehicles for a variety of reasons, which may include the following:
• Performance Enhancement – Many modifications are made with the objective of improving a vehicle’s speed, handling, and fuel economy.
• Aesthetic Appeal – Changing a vehicle’s appearance is a common practice among car enthusiasts and is widely accepted as a form of art.
• Personal Expression: Modifications can be used in an entirely vehicular novel way to represent an individual’s personality or style.
Although these motives appear quite benign, the dangers posed by unwanted or illegal modifications can be quite profound.
Traffic and Accident Incident Increases
It has been shown that vehicles with illegal modifications tend to be involved in a greater number of incidents and accidents. Associated factors include the following reasons:
• Compromised Handling: Modifications that affect a vehicle’s suspension or weight distribution can make a vehicle uncontrollable in harsh weather conditions.
• Distraction to Other Drivers: Non-compliant exhaust systems or lights can be too loud and confusing to other road users, causing accidents.
Case Studies on Accident Rates
Case Study 1: Overview of the Case
A driver in an accident recently lowered their car’s suspension which cost him the ability to control the vehicle in a rainstorm. This resulted in a multi-vehicle accident.
Challenges: The main challenge was showing how the illegal suspension modification caused the accident.
Solutions: Our medical records review team gathered all relevant documents for plaintiffs and confirmed the existence of the injuries correlating with the accident. In addition, we examined the modification records of the car to determine a liability.
Case Study 2: Overview of the Case
A driver collided with a pedestrian when he was distracted by the noises of the SUV’s aftermarket exhaust, which surpassed the set noise regulations.
Challenges: In this case, the challenge was proving that the noise created by the exhaust pipe was indeed contributing to the accident.
Solutions: In this case, our team analyzed a combination of accident reports and the medical file of the pedestrian. Testimony on the noise level preventing the pedestrian from hearing an oncoming car was given.
Legal Problems from Unauthorized Changes
Both State and Federal Laws
Every state has its own laws when it comes to changes made to vehicles. Most regulations include the following:
• Safety Standards: Any changes made to vehicles must comply with the safety standards set by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
• Noise Regulations: Certain states have legislation that limits the noise produced by vehicles (especially from the exhaust), which must be followed to prevent legal issues.
• Lighting Regulations: Vehicles lights must meet a certain standard of brightness and color, so that they can safely be visible to everyone on the road.
Effects of Unauthorized Changes
Some of the consequences people with unauthorized changes to their vehicles have to deal with include:
• Traffic Citations: Cops can easily notice illegal alterations made to the vehicle and take legal action, which comes with fines and other repercussions.
• Increased Insurance Premiums: Adjustments made to vehicles make them prone to accidents, making it critical for insurers to cover losses, which lead to an increase in premiums.
• Liability in Accidents: If an accident were to happen due to the illegal alterations made to the vehicle, the driver will have to take responsibility for most of the damages, medical bills, and property damages.
How Medical Record Reviews Help in Accidents Cases
As a provider of medical review services, we offer critical assistance to lawyers claiming vehicle modification malpractice. We help accomplish this through:
• Identification of Injuries through Medical Record Examinations: We extract details of the injuries from the medical records to assist attorneys establish the most effective medical history to support their settlement arguments.
• Legal Consulting Services: We can assist clients by offering opinions on the medical benefits (or lack thereof) of injuries connected with vehicle accidents.
• The Medical Document Aid: We aid in the preparation and presentation of medical documents by ensuring that information can be made available in a manner that is usable in court.
Conclusion
Illegally performed vehicle modifications endanger the safety of drivers on the road and can give rise to serious accidents. It is rather important for a driver to know what type of modifications is made, their legal status, and the consequences that follow. Our services regarding examination of medical records are essential to attorneys who are trying to resolve medical issues resulting from automobile accidents where vehicle modification practices are not lawful. With the aid of effective analysis and expert medical opinion, we strive to ensure that the victims get the damages payable to them.
