How to Prove Mechanic or Repair Shop’s Liability for an Accident

Let’s face it, with the new technology being used in vehicles today, many of us don’t have the expertise to repair our cars as we did in years past. The simple engine designs of yesteryear have been replaced with computers and other gizmos that are complicated and, even worse, hard to reach. So most of us must rely on mechanics and our local auto repair shop to maintain and repair our vehicles.

When you bring your automobile or other motorized devices into a mechanic or repair shop, you have certain expectations. The foremost expectation is that the repair or maintenance will be done correctly so that the car is safe to drive. But what if you get into an accident after having your car repaired, and you suspect that a faulty repair was to blame? How do you prove that the mechanic or repair shop is liable for your accident?

Automotive Repair Customer Rights

First, let’s cover some basic rights and entitlements that you can expect whenever you get your car serviced or repaired. These rights are set forth in Chapter 46.71 of the Revised Code of Washington (RWC).

1. If your repair costs more than $100, you have the right to a written estimate. Exceptions to this rule are:
   • If you waive the right to the estimate;
   • If you give oral or written consent to the repair without face-to-face contact with service personnel; or
   • If the vehicle qualifies as a horseless carriage, collector vehicle, street rod vehicle, custom vehicle, or parts car.
2. At the time you authorize the repair, you can request that any replaced parts get returned to you. If you make such a request, the mechanic must return those parts so that you can inspect them.
3. During the repair, the mechanic may determine that the estimate was off. If the actual cost will be 10% or more over the estimate, the mechanic must get oral or written authorization from you to continue with the repair.

If the work is done following your authorization as outlined above, then you are legally required to pay for the repair before you can remove your vehicle from the repair shop’s premises.
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Common Repair Failures That Lead to Car Accidents

Not every negligent repair results in an obvious problem the moment you leave the shop. Some failures create dangerous conditions that only reveal themselves at the worst possible moment, such as during highway driving or emergency braking. The most common types of mechanical failures linked to negligent repairs include:

Brake System Failures

Faulty brake repairs are among the most dangerous forms of mechanic negligence. Improperly installed brake pads, air left in brake lines after a fluid flush, worn rotors that should have been replaced, or caliper bolts left loose can all result in partial or total brake failure. A driver who discovers their brakes are not responding while approaching an intersection or traveling at highway speeds faces a life-threatening situation with almost no time to react.

Tire and Wheel Failures

Tires that are mounted incorrectly, lug nuts that are not torqued to the proper specification, or wheels that are improperly balanced can cause a blowout or wheel separation while driving. A front tire blowout at highway speed can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle entirely. Mechanics who rotate tires, mount new tires, or perform alignment work have a duty to verify that every wheel is securely fastened before returning the vehicle to the customer.

Steering and Suspension Failures

Repairs involving tie rods, ball joints, power steering components, or suspension parts require precision. A loosely connected tie rod end can separate without warning, causing a complete loss of steering control. Similarly, a botched alignment can cause unpredictable handling that becomes especially dangerous on wet roads or during evasive maneuvers.

Engine and Transmission Failures

Engine repairs that are performed incorrectly can lead to sudden stalling in traffic, loss of power on the highway, or even engine fires. Transmission work that leaves the vehicle unable to shift properly or stuck in one gear creates dangerous situations where the driver cannot accelerate or decelerate as needed.

Is a Mechanic Liable for Damages from Repairs?

A mechanic may be liable for damages if repairs are performed negligently, without authorization, or defectively. Mechanics have a duty to perform repairs safely and competently and may be held responsible for resulting harm from a failure to meet this standard.

The Repair Shop’s Duty of Care

Even though many repair shops will post a disclaimer stating that they are not responsible for accidents or any damage that results from their repair, this kind of blanket absolution generally doesn’t hold up in court. In most cases, repair shops can be held liable if their shoddy work contributes to an accident after the vehicle leaves the repair shop. Some common examples of mechanic negligence while servicing a vehicle include:

• Making an unneeded or incorrect repair
• Using incorrect or defective replacement parts for the repair
• Damaging the vehicle while making a repair
• Making an illegal modification to the vehicle
• Having unqualified or untrained mechanics work on your vehicle
• Failure to remove obstructions such as debris from the vehicle
• Failure to identify a repair that is necessary for the safe operation of the car

Any automotive repair shop owes its customers a duty of reasonable care when repairing or performing maintenance on a car. If they commit any negligent act – including, but not limited to the actions enumerated above – then the shop may have been remiss in their duties. If you suffered damages because a mechanic or repair shop was negligent, then you may have the right to compensation.

Proving a Repair Shop’s Liability for an Accident

As an example, let’s say that you went to a repair shop to have your car examined because you noticed an unusual noise whenever you stepped on the brake pedal over the past few days. The mechanic examined your car and advised that you needed new brake pads and a brake fluid flush. Thinking that he has given you a reasonable diagnosis, you authorize the repair. When it is done, pay your bill and leave the mechanic’s shop. However, on the way home, you get to an intersection and nothing happens when you press the brake pedal. This causes you to run through a stoplight and crash into another car. It seems obvious that the mechanic did something wrong and caused the accident, but how do you prove it?

First, be sure that you keep all of your estimates and final receipts from the repair shop. This establishes that the mechanic did, indeed, perform the repairs you suspect are at fault, and it establishes that the repair shop owed you a duty of reasonable care.

Second, it is a good idea to exercise your right to receive the part that was replaced by the mechanic. It is possible that the part that was replaced was not defective to begin, or that the part was defective or worn out but was replaced with a defective part. It is desirable to have the old part as evidence should either of these be the case.

Finally, you will need to prove that the repair job led to, or greatly contributed to, the accident. This is where an experienced automobile accident law firm is incredibly valuable. They have the resources to hire experienced mechanics who will inspect your automobile after the accident. This inspection is used to determine whether a shoddy repair job caused your brakes to fail at a critical moment. If so, then you may be entitled to compensation.

If, after inspection, it is found that the labor was not substandard, a defective part may have been responsible for your collision. If an expert forensic mechanic determines that a part used in the repair was defective, your case may switch from a negligence claim to a product liability claim that is aimed at the manufacturer of the faulty part.

Call Us Today!

If your automobile accident was caused by a sloppy repair or maintenance job, you may be entitled to compensation for any damages you have suffered as a result. Our Washington State injury legal team works with professionals who have intricate knowledge of car engineering, repair, and maintenance. These professionals can help us determine if the mechanic or shop that worked on your car were actually the cause of your crash. If so, our experienced injury legal team can go to work for you.

Let our professionals at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, PLLC, help put your life back together as quickly and painlessly as possible. Call today or fill out our online contact form for a free initial consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mechanic Liability

Is a mechanic liable for damages from repairs?

A mechanic may be liable for damages if their repairs were performed negligently, used defective parts, or failed to meet the standard of care expected of a qualified technician. In Washington State, auto repair shops owe their customers a duty of reasonable care. If a faulty repair causes an accident or damages your vehicle, the shop may be held responsible for medical bills, vehicle repair costs, lost wages, and other losses. Liability can extend to the individual mechanic, the shop owner, or both.

What happens if a mechanic crashes your car?

If a mechanic crashes your car while it is in their possession, whether during a test drive, while moving it around the lot, or for any other reason, the repair shop is generally liable for the damage. The shop has a legal duty to exercise reasonable care over your vehicle while it is in their custody. You should document the damage immediately, request a copy of the shop’s incident report, and consult with an attorney to determine whether to pursue a claim against the shop’s garage liability insurance or file a separate negligence claim.

What should I do if a mechanic damages my car during a repair?

Start by documenting the damage thoroughly with photos and video before leaving the shop. Notify the shop in writing about the damage and keep a copy of your communication. Request copies of all work orders, estimates, and inspection notes. Get an independent assessment from a second mechanic to confirm that the damage was not pre-existing. If the shop refuses to accept responsibility, you can file a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. Consulting with an attorney can help you understand your options for recovering repair costs and any related losses.

Can a mechanic be held liable if a defective part they installed caused my accident?

Yes, but the nature of the claim may change. If the mechanic’s workmanship was not at fault and the failure was caused by a defective part, your case may shift from a negligence claim against the repair shop to a product liability claim against the manufacturer or distributor of the defective part. In product liability cases, you may not need to prove that the manufacturer was negligent, only that the product was defective and that the defect caused your injuries. An experienced attorney can help determine whether the mechanic, the parts manufacturer, or both should be held accountable.

How do I prove that a mechanic’s negligent repair caused my car accident?

Proving mechanic negligence requires establishing four elements: the mechanic owed you a duty of care (shown through your repair receipt or work order), the mechanic breached that duty by performing substandard work, the breach directly caused or substantially contributed to your accident, and you suffered damages as a result. Key evidence includes repair receipts and estimates, the replaced parts if you requested them, a post-accident inspection by an independent forensic mechanic, police reports, photos of the damage, and any communications with the repair shop. An experienced accident attorney will have access to mechanical experts who can inspect your vehicle and provide testimony linking the faulty repair to the accident.

Does a mechanic’s disclaimer protect them from liability in Washington?

Not necessarily. Many repair shops display signs or include language in their paperwork stating they are not responsible for accidents or damage resulting from their work. In Washington, these blanket disclaimers generally do not hold up in court if the shop’s negligence is established. A repair shop cannot contract away its duty of reasonable care. While some specific contractual limitations may be enforceable under certain circumstances, a broad disclaimer attempting to absolve the shop of all liability for its own negligent work is unlikely to protect them.

What types of evidence should I preserve after a suspected negligent repair?

Preserve every piece of documentation related to the repair and the accident. This includes the original written estimate, the final invoice and receipt, any communications with the shop (texts, emails, voicemails), the replaced parts if you requested their return, photos of the vehicle before and after the repair, the police accident report, medical records for any injuries, and contact information for any witnesses. Do not have the vehicle repaired again or allow it to be scrapped until an independent expert has had the opportunity to inspect it, as the vehicle itself is often the most critical piece of evidence in a mechanic negligence case.

Can I file a consumer protection complaint against an auto repair shop in Washington?

Yes. Washington’s Consumer Protection Act (RCW 19.86) protects consumers from unfair or deceptive business practices, including by auto repair shops. If a shop charged for work that was not performed, performed unauthorized repairs, refused to honor a warranty, or denied responsibility for damage they caused, you can file a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General’s Office. Additionally, the Washington State Department of Licensing oversees certain aspects of automotive repair, and complaints can be filed there as well. Filing a consumer protection complaint does not prevent you from also pursuing a civil lawsuit for damages.