New York has strict vehicle inspection laws. While the hope behind these laws is that adequately repaired and maintained vehicles will better ensure roadway safety and better protect the environment, those goals are only achieved if New Yorkers abide by them. And some of the problems posed by a poorly repaired vehicle can be more significant than many people realize. For example, bad lights can make it hard to see the road, thereby increasing your risk of being involved in an accident. Likewise, bad brakes can increase the stopping distance needed to safely slowdown, which could prevent you from avoiding a rear-end collision.
But even issues with your windshield can pose a threat to your safety. Let’s take a closer look at New York’s requirements as they pertain to windshield repair and the risks associated with a faulty windshield so that you know what’s at stake.
New York’s windshield inspection law
As part of its inspection laws, New York requires a vehicle’s windshield to be assessed. If your vehicle has a crack that is 11 inches long or longer and any part of that crack is in the area covered by your windshield wipers, then your vehicle won’t pass inspection. You might be able to get out ahead of a full windshield replacement by taking your vehicle to a shop that conducts windshield repair. This can prevent a crack from worsening, thereby saving you some money.
The risks of driving with a damaged windshield
If your windshield continues to be damaged in the same spot, then the integrity of your windshield can be degraded. This is problematic for several reasons. First, a compromised windshield can affect your visibility by distorting what you see through it. As a result, you could misjudge speeds and stopping distances, and you might be prevented from seeing changing traffic conditions. This, in turn, increases your chances of being involved in an accident.
Second, a compromised windshield increases the risk of being seriously injured in the event of a wreck. A compromised windshield is much more likely to shatter in an accident, which can send dangerous shards of glass shooting throughout the cabin of your vehicle at high rates of speed. When the windshield is completely broken in a crash, debris from outside the vehicle is also more likely to enter the cabin. All of this can not only increase the risk of an accident injury, but it can also heighten the potentially severity of those injuries.
The damages associated with accident injuries can be significant, too. You might end up needing a hospital stay and extensive ongoing treatment, and you may be unable to work for a period of time, thus denying you the ability to earn an income. Pain and suffering can take a toll, too, and you might experience a fair amount of emotional turmoil. All of this can feel crushing and can leave you in a difficult financial position, which is why you should do everything you can to avoid this sort of situation.
What if you’ve been injured in a New York accident caused by another?
If you’ve been hurt in a wreck caused by another driver’s negligence, then you should consider taking legal action. By doing so, you could find accountability and recover compensation needed to offset your losses and provide financial stability. Hopefully then you’ll be able to focus on your recovery and getting back to your normal life. If you have questions about what this looks like, then please continue to read up on the personal injury claims process.