Reviewed by Adrianos Facchetti, Esq. California State Bar No. 243213.
This page was reviewed for California personal injury accuracy and legal clarity for people injured in Los Angeles crashes involving possible steering failure, vehicle defects, or negligent maintenance. You can verify Adrianos Facchetti’s license through the California State Bar attorney search.
When Steering Fails, the Crash May Not Be Simple Driver Error
A steering failure crash usually happens fast. One second the vehicle is going where it’s supposed to, and the next the wheel doesn’t respond or responds too much, and there’s no time left to correct it. That’s a different situation than a driver who simply made a mistake.
The cause behind that kind of sudden loss of control could be a defective steering part, a repair job that wasn’t done right, a maintenance issue that should have been caught, or in commercial vehicles, an inspection that got skipped. Sometimes more than one of those things is true at once.
A Los Angeles car accident lawyer who understands how to investigate a mechanical failure claim can review what actually happened, get the vehicle preserved before it’s repaired or sold, and figure out who may bear responsibility. The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti offers a free consultation, and there’s no fee unless compensation is recovered.
What Counts as Steering Failure?
Steering failure isn’t always one specific thing. It covers a range of mechanical problems that all lead to the same result: the driver loses meaningful control of where the vehicle goes.
That can look like the wheel locking up entirely. Power steering cutting out, which makes the wheel suddenly heavy and hard to turn, especially at low speed. A steering wheel that feels loose or has too much play in it before the vehicle actually responds. A vehicle that pulls sharply to one side without the driver doing anything. A failure in the steering rack itself, which is the core mechanism that translates the wheel’s movement into the wheels turning. Problems in the steering column, which connects the wheel to the rest of the system. A tie rod or other linkage component that breaks or disconnects. Or a suspension issue that affects how the steering behaves even though the steering system itself wasn’t the original point of failure.
Warning signs sometimes show up before the failure is total. Grinding or slipping when turning. Vibration in the wheel. Fluid leaking near the front wheels or under the engine. Difficulty turning at low speeds, particularly in parking lots. But not every steering problem announces itself. Some failures happen without warning, especially with a part that fatigues internally before it ever makes a noise.
Why These Cases Are Different From Ordinary Car Accident Claims
Most car accident claims come down to what a driver did. Steering failure claims start with a different question: why did the vehicle stop responding the way it should have.
That means the cause might be mechanical rather than behavioral, which changes what evidence actually matters. The vehicle itself often needs to be preserved rather than repaired or scrapped, because the damaged part is frequently the best evidence in the case. An expert inspection is often necessary to determine whether a part failed before the crash or was simply damaged by the impact itself, which is not the same thing. Repair and maintenance records become central, since they can show whether the vehicle was serviced recently and whether that service was done correctly. Modern vehicles often store event data recorder information, sometimes called black box data, that can show speed, braking, and steering input in the moments before the crash.
More than one party can be involved at once, which almost never happens in a standard fender-bender. And even when the mechanical failure is genuine, an insurance company may still try to pin the crash on driver error, because that’s the cheaper outcome for them.
Who May Be Liable for a Steering Failure Accident?
Liability in these cases depends heavily on why the steering actually failed, and that requires inspection, records, and often expert analysis rather than assumption.
The vehicle manufacturer. If the steering system was designed or built with a defect, the manufacturer may be responsible under product liability law.
A parts manufacturer. Steering racks, tie rods, and other components are sometimes made by a separate company from the vehicle manufacturer, and a defect can originate there instead.
A dealership. If a dealership performed service or a pre-sale inspection and missed a known problem, that may be relevant to the claim.
A repair shop. Recent steering or suspension work that wasn’t done correctly is one of the more common causes of a mechanical failure-related crash.
A mechanic. An individual mechanic’s specific work, separate from the shop’s broader responsibility, may be part of the investigation.
A commercial trucking company. Trucks have specific inspection obligations, and a failure to follow them can create liability separate from the driver.
A fleet maintenance company. Delivery fleets, rideshare-affiliated vehicles, and other commercial vehicle groups often contract maintenance out to a separate company with its own service obligations.
The vehicle owner. An owner who knew about a steering problem and kept driving the vehicle anyway may bear some responsibility.
A negligent driver who ignored warning signs. If the driver noticed grinding, pulling, or fluid leaks and kept driving without getting it checked, that can factor into the case.
A public agency, only if a roadway or public property condition also contributed. This is uncommon in steering failure cases specifically, but it can apply if a road defect combined with the mechanical issue to cause the crash.
Product liability and negligent maintenance frequently overlap in these cases. A part might have a genuine design flaw and also have been improperly installed during a recent repair, which means both the manufacturer and the repair shop could be part of the same claim.
When a Repair Shop or Mechanic May Be Responsible
Some fact patterns point more directly at a repair shop than at the manufacturer. Recent steering or suspension repair completed shortly before the crash is one of the biggest red flags. A driver who complained about steering problems and was told the vehicle was fine is another. Improper installation of a part, whether that’s a tie rod, a steering rack, or a related component, can create a failure that has nothing to do with how the part was originally manufactured. A shop that failed to tighten or properly inspect a component during service falls into the same category. Low or leaking power steering fluid discovered shortly after a service visit is a specific and often provable sign that something wasn’t done right. And a shop that noticed a problem but didn’t warn the driver about it may bear responsibility for that omission alone.
Maintenance records and invoices from the repair shop are often the clearest window into what actually happened, which is why they need to be requested and preserved early.
When a Defective Steering Part May Be the Problem
Sometimes the issue traces back to the part itself rather than anything a repair shop did. That can be a design defect, meaning the part was flawed from the start regardless of how carefully it was built. It can be a manufacturing defect, where the design was sound but a specific unit was made incorrectly. Or it can be a failure to warn, where the manufacturer knew about a risk and didn’t adequately disclose it to owners or repair shops.
Recalls matter here. If the specific part or vehicle model has a known recall related to steering, that’s directly relevant evidence, and it’s worth checking recall status through the NHTSA recall lookup tool as soon as possible after a crash like this. Similar complaints from other drivers or documented in federal safety databases can also support a defect claim.
If a part failed, it should not be thrown away, sold with the vehicle, or scrapped. A qualified expert generally needs to physically inspect the failed component to determine how and why it failed, and that’s simply not possible once the part is gone. Depending on what the inspection shows, the claim may end up directed at the manufacturer, a distributor, or the specific parts maker, sometimes more than one at once.
Steering Failure in Trucks, Rideshare Vehicles, and Fleet Vehicles
Commercial vehicles carry inspection and maintenance obligations that a personal vehicle doesn’t have. Trucks and fleet vehicles are often required to maintain service logs and inspection records, which can become central evidence in a steering failure case involving one of these vehicles.
Delivery companies and rideshare platforms raise their own set of insurance questions, since coverage can depend on whether the vehicle was actively working at the time of the crash and whether the maintenance responsibility fell on the driver, the company, or a separate fleet servicing contractor.
Steering failure in a larger vehicle, particularly a loaded commercial truck, tends to produce more severe outcomes than the same failure in a passenger car, simply because of the size and weight involved. If your crash involved a commercial truck, our Los Angeles truck accident lawyer covers the additional layers those cases typically involve.
Evidence That Should Be Preserved Quickly
The single most damaging thing that can happen to a steering failure case is losing access to the vehicle before anyone qualified has looked at it.
That includes the vehicle itself, the steering rack, the steering column, the tie rods, the linkage, the power steering pump, and any visible fluid leaks or damaged parts. It also includes service records, repair invoices, recall records, and any prior inspection reports. Photos and videos of the vehicle and the crash scene matter, along with event data recorder information if the vehicle has it. Dashcam footage, if either vehicle had one, can be relevant. Witness statements, the police report, towing records, and any written communication from an insurance company all belong in the same file.
Repairing the vehicle, selling it, or letting it go to a salvage yard before this evidence is reviewed can permanently damage the case. Once a part is replaced or the vehicle is crushed, there’s often no way to get that physical evidence back.
What an Expert May Need to Inspect
A qualified mechanical expert typically looks at whether the part actually failed before the crash happened or whether the damage seen now is simply from the impact itself. They also look at whether recent repair work was done properly, whether there are signs of wear, fluid leakage, or improper installation, whether the driver had warning signs before the crash that should have prompted a repair, and whether the specific failure matches a known defect or an existing recall for that part or vehicle.
What If the Insurance Company Says the Driver Caused It?
This happens often, even in cases where a mechanical failure is the real cause. An insurer may argue the driver was speeding, distracted, overcorrected after a minor swerve, or simply made a driving mistake. It’s a cheaper explanation for them than acknowledging a defective part or a bad repair job.
California’s comparative fault rule means shared responsibility can come into play, but it doesn’t automatically decide the outcome in the insurer’s favor. Mechanical evidence, service records, and expert review are what actually separate genuine driver error from a steering system that failed on its own. This is exactly why preserving the vehicle and getting an expert opinion matters so much before any conclusions get accepted at face value.
What If the Steering Failed on the Other Driver’s Vehicle?
Sometimes the injured person has no idea a mechanical failure was even involved. All they know is the other car suddenly crossed into their lane or swerved without warning for no apparent reason.
Police reports, driver statements at the scene, inspection of the other vehicle, that vehicle’s repair history, and expert review can all help establish whether steering failure was the actual cause. If it was, the claim might involve the other driver; that vehicle’s owner; a repair shop that serviced it, an employer if it was a work vehicle; or the manufacturer, depending on what the investigation shows. This is one of the reasons early legal involvement matters, since access to the other vehicle for inspection can become difficult once it’s repaired or returned to the owner.
What to Do After a Steering Failure Crash in Los Angeles
- Get medical help first. Injuries from a sudden loss of control can be more serious than they initially seem.
- Report the crash. A police report creates an official record of what happened.
- Do not repair or dispose of the vehicle until evidence is considered. This is the single most important step for protecting a mechanical failure claim.
- Take photos of the vehicle, wheels, steering area, fluid leaks, road, and crash scene. Document everything before anything gets moved or cleaned up.
- Save repair invoices and maintenance records. Even records that seem unrelated to steering can matter.
- Write down any steering problems noticed before the crash. Memory fades, and a written note close to the event is more reliable than a recollection weeks later.
- Get witness names and contact information. Someone who saw the vehicle swerve or lose control may have relevant observations.
- Save insurance letters and towing paperwork. Towing records sometimes note the vehicle’s condition at pickup.
- Do not give detailed recorded statements before understanding your rights. Early statements can be used to lock in an account before all the facts are known.
- Speak with a lawyer before signing a settlement or release. Once signed, it’s generally final.
What Not to Do Too Early
Don’t authorize destruction of the vehicle. Don’t throw away damaged parts, even ones that seem irrelevant. Don’t assume you were at fault just because the insurance company suggests it. Don’t rely only on the insurance company’s own inspection of the vehicle, since that inspection serves their interests, not yours. Don’t accept a quick settlement before the vehicle has been properly reviewed. And don’t ignore or discard prior repair records, even if they seem unrelated to the crash.
Injuries Caused by Sudden Loss of Steering Control
A driver who loses steering control has little to no ability to avoid what happens next, which often means the resulting crash is more severe than a typical two-car collision.
Common injuries include head injuries, neck injuries, back injuries, fractures, spinal injuries, internal injuries, shoulder and knee injuries, crush injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and in the most severe cases, fatal injuries. Steering failure crashes frequently involve high-speed impacts, rollovers, head-on collisions, sideswipe crashes into oncoming traffic, or collisions with fixed objects like guardrails, poles, or trees, since the driver simply couldn’t steer away from the hazard. For catastrophic and life-altering injuries specifically, our catastrophic injury lawyer addresses the long-term care and future loss considerations those cases require.
What a Steering Failure Accident Claim May Include
Depending on the specific facts, a claim may account for emergency care, hospital bills, surgery, physical therapy, future medical care, lost income, reduced earning ability, pain and suffering, property damage, out-of-pocket costs, long-term disability, and wrongful death damages where applicable. If a crash resulted in a fatality, our Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer covers how those claims work for surviving family members.
This isn’t a promise about what any particular case is worth. What’s actually recoverable depends on the injuries, the evidence, and which parties turn out to be responsible once the investigation is complete.
How Long You May Have to File in California
Many California personal injury claims generally need to be filed within two years of the crash, but steering failure cases add complexity that can affect timing. Product liability claims and negligence claims sometimes involve different considerations depending on when a defect was discovered versus when the crash happened, so the standard two-year window isn’t always the full picture. Shorter deadlines may apply if a public agency or government vehicle was involved in the crash.
More on general California civil deadlines is available through the California Courts self-help resources. But the deadline isn’t the only clock running. Evidence disappears long before any legal filing deadline arrives. A vehicle that gets repaired, sold, or scrapped a few weeks after the crash can take the most important evidence with it, regardless of how much time remains to file a lawsuit. That’s why vehicle preservation needs to happen early, not just before the legal deadline.
How Attorney Adrianos Facchetti Reviews Steering Failure Cases
Reviewing a case like this starts with understanding exactly how the crash happened and whether the steering failed before impact or as a result of it. That distinction matters, and it’s usually not something that can be determined without inspecting the actual vehicle.
From there, the review looks at whether the vehicle was recently repaired, whether the driver had any warning signs beforehand, and whether recalls or prior complaints exist for the specific part involved. It also depends heavily on whether the damaged vehicle is still available for inspection, since that availability shrinks fast once a vehicle is repaired or sent to salvage. Service records, when they exist, often tell a more complete story than anyone’s memory of what happened.
Because more than one party is often involved in these cases, the review also looks at insurance coverage across each potentially responsible party and how comparative fault arguments raised by an insurer might hold up against the mechanical evidence. As a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer handling these cases, the goal is figuring out what actually happened before accepting anyone’s initial explanation, including the insurance company’s.
Steering failure crashes don’t always involve two cars. Pedestrians and motorcyclists can be struck by a vehicle whose driver had genuinely lost control through no fault of their own, and our Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer and Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer address those situations specifically.
Get Answers After a Los Angeles Steering Failure Crash
If your crash involved a sudden, unexplained loss of vehicle control, it’s worth having someone look into why before the vehicle is repaired, sold, or gone entirely. A free consultation with the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti costs nothing, and there’s no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
We won’t promise a specific outcome before we understand what actually happened. What we can do is help preserve the evidence that matters and give you an honest read on what your situation looks like. Call us, available 24 hours a day, or contact us online.
This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. California law can change. Every case depends on its own specific facts. For guidance about your situation, consult a licensed California attorney.
