Safety Risks of Buying a Used Car

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Baltimore car accident lawyers discuss safety risks of buying a used car. Unless you know the person from whom you are buying a used car, purchasing a used car can be risky. You do not know whether the car was well-maintained, if the vehicle had been damaged in an accident, or if there are any product recalls that were never repaired or replaced. Before purchasing a used car, it is important that you do your homework and find out everything you can about the vehicle. If a faulty part was responsible for causing a car accident, and you suffered serious injuries, a skilled car accident lawyer will protect your rights and recommend the best legal course of action.

According to a report released by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) Education Fund and Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety (CARS), many licensed dealers sell vehicles that have open recalls. The researchers examined used cars that were sold by AutoNation, which claims to be the largest auto retailer. After surveying over 2,400 used cars that were for sale online in July and August at 28 locations, covering 16 metro areas in the United States, researchers found the following results:

  • More than one in nine used vehicles had safety recalls that had not been fixed, including defective Takata airbags and faulty General Motors ignition switches, both of which were responsible for fatal injuries.
  • Many certified pre-owned vehicles also had unresolved recalls, even after passing AutoNation’s precise inspection process.
  • Among the recalled vehicles were some that had problems that do not yet have remedies.

What Consumers Can Do to Protect Themselves

There is no question that a used car is going to cost significantly less than a new car. However, to avoid driving home in a lemon, you need to obtain as much information about the car as possible. Even if the dealer tries to convince you that the car has been inspected and that it is in great shape, it is highly recommended that you have the vehicle inspected by an independent contractor who does not work for the dealership. It is also important to understand that a dealership providing a vehicle history report does not mean the car was never involved in an accident, since not all accidents are reported. There is also no guarantee that the vehicle in which you are interested in does not have any outstanding recalls.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Seek Justice for Victims of Accidents Involving Used Cars

If you were injured in a car accident involving a used car, it is in your best interest to contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We will thoroughly investigate the details of the accident, including whether there were any outstanding recalls that were not addressed by the previous owner. Our skilled legal team will secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.