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Heat Waves and Vehicle Malfunctions: Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable

Home Heat Waves and Vehicle Malfunctions: Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable

Key Takeaways:

  • Extreme heat increases the risk of vehicle failures—and drivers are responsible for preventing them.
  • Neglecting vehicle maintenance during heat waves isn’t just careless—it’s considered negligence under the law.
  • Snellings Law helps injury victims hold negligent drivers accountable.

When summer hits North Texas, the heat can be intense—not just for people, but for vehicles, too.

High heat doesn’t just make driving uncomfortable. It can cause serious problems like tire blowouts, engine overheating, and brake failure. These problems aren’t just bad luck. Most of the time, they happen because the driver didn’t take care of their vehicle.

When someone doesn’t keep their car in safe working condition and it causes an accident, they may be legally responsible for the damage.

At Snellings Law, we represent individuals who have been injured by someone else’s lack of care. During the summer months, that often includes car accidents caused by heat-related car problems.

driving a car in heat wave

The Hidden Dangers of Heat on Vehicles

Heat waves are more than just a discomfort—they actively degrade essential vehicle systems. When the thermometer climbs into the 90s and beyond from the Texas heat, your vehicle’s ability to perform safely can be compromised.

Common Heat-Related Failures Include:

  • Overheating engines due to low coolant, broken fans, or aging hoses
  • Tire blowouts from underinflated or worn-out tires expanding in high temperatures
  • Brake failure resulting from overheating brake fluid or worn components
  • Battery failure due to fluid evaporation and extreme heat damaging internal structures
  • Transmission issues as heat can cause fluid to break down faster, leading to poor performance or failure

These aren’t always freak accidents. In most cases, they stem from routine maintenance that was ignored or delayed.

Maintenance Is More Than a Suggestion—It’s a Responsibility

Vehicle maintenance is a legal and moral responsibility. Just like you wouldn’t drive drunk or run a red light, you shouldn’t hit the road in a vehicle that isn’t roadworthy. When drivers neglect basic upkeep—especially when they know the risk of heat-related failure is high—they put lives at risk.

Texans know all too well how brutal the summer heat can get in the Lone Star State. Therefore, Texas drivers should be especially mindful to check their vehicle systems as summer begins. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that all drivers:

getting maintenance for your cars
  • Check coolant levels and ensure radiators are functioning properly
  • Inspect tires for wear, damage, and proper inflation
  • Examine brake performance, including fluid levels and pad condition
  • Test the battery, especially if it’s more than 3 years old
  • Confirm air conditioning and ventilation systems are working for driver safety and visibility
  • Maintain transmission and engine oil to avoid overheating or seizing

Failure to perform these tasks isn’t just risky—it can be considered negligence if an accident occurs as a result.

When Neglect Causes Harm, Victims Have Legal Rights

Let’s be clear: not every accident is purely accidental. If someone’s car breaks down in extreme heat and causes a crash, they could be held responsible. This is especially true if they didn’t take care of basic things like checking their tires or watching for engine problems.

When a car isn’t safe to drive and someone gets hurt because of it, it’s not just an accident—it’s negligence. This kind of carelessness can lead to serious injuries, like broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, internal damage, or in the worst cases, death.

At Snellings Law, we focus on helping people who are hurt in crashes like these. If your injuries were caused by another driver’s poor maintenance, we can help you fight for the resolution you deserve.

Victims of these types of accidents may be able to recover for:

Our team at Snellings Law investigates vehicle malfunction claims thoroughly. We don’t just look at the crash—we look behind it to understand why it happened, and whether negligence played a role.

Preventing These Accidents Is Simple—But Requires Accountability

We get it—life gets busy. But, that’s not an excuse to put others at risk. Skipping an oil change or ignoring a dashboard warning light can become a matter of life or death during extreme heat. The burden falls on every driver to ensure their vehicle is safe before they get behind the wheel.

Summer may be synonymous with road trips, vacations, and freedom—but it also requires responsibility. Letting preventable mechanical issues go unchecked isn’t just careless; it’s a hazard to everyone on the road.

How Do We Prove Mechanical Negligence?

Proving that a driver was negligent due to poor maintenance involves gathering key evidence. Our legal team works with investigators, accident reconstruction experts, and certified mechanics to identify signs of neglect.

We look at:

  • Maintenance records to check for overdue services or skipped inspections
  • Vehicle condition at the time of the crash—including tires, brakes, and fluid levels
  • Dashcam or onboard diagnostics data that shows system failures or warnings
  • Eyewitness testimony from other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians
  • Manufacturer recommendations vs. the actual condition of the vehicle

If you’re injured in a crash caused by negligence, we may find that the vehicle wasn’t properly maintained. We’ll build a compelling case to seek the resolution you deserve.

Injured Because Someone Didn't Maintain Their Car?

A split-second decision not to check a tire, refill coolant, or replace worn brakes can lead to lifelong consequences for someone else. If you or a loved one were injured because another driver failed to properly maintain their vehicle—especially during dangerous heat conditions—you may have a strong legal claim. These aren’t just accidents; they are the result of negligence, and that negligence has consequences.

At Snellings Law, we don’t believe you should carry the burden of someone else’s carelessness. We’ll investigate every detail, consult with trusted mechanical experts, and build a case that fights for the resolution you deserve—whether through negotiation or trial.

car crash due to negligence in maintenance

We understand how overwhelming it can be to deal with mounting medical bills, missed work, and uncertainty about your future. Let us help you take the next step forward.

Don’t Let Heat-Related Negligence Ruin Your Life

When a vehicle malfunctions in a heatwave, the results can be devastating—but they are also preventable. Drivers have a responsibility to prepare their vehicles for summer conditions. When they don’t, the consequences fall on innocent people.

If you’ve been injured because someone else failed to maintain their vehicle in extreme weather, now is the time to act.

Contact Snellings Law today at (214) 387-0387 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll review the details of your case, explain your legal options, and get to work building a strategy that puts your recovery first.

Your health, your rights, and your future are too important to leave to chance. Let us help you protect them.

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