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A rollaway car accident is when a car moves without the driver intentionally moving it. A rollaway car accident could happen with or without the driver or anyone else inside the car.
A rollaway accident with the driver inside the car would mean that something went wrong; the driver did not intend to move the vehicle, but the vehicle moved anyway. The types of accidents that normally happen this way are those in which the car travels only a short distance since the driver is inside the car to hit the brake.
A rollaway accident without the driver in the car would mean that the car was not properly parked and something went wrong. This type of rollaway accident could end up badly if no one is inside the car.
There are a number of ways that a rollaway accident could happen. The most obvious way is for a driver to improperly shift the car into park. The car, then, could slip into another gear and move.
A worn transmission is an accident waiting to happen, and it could just as easily happen while the car is in park. A worn transmission means gears are worn and easily shifted, and that could happen without someone shifting them. A worn transmission could cause a car to go from park to forward or reverse.
A transmission could also have a design flaw. Machines sometimes have flaws and faulty parts, and transmissions in cars are no exception. Automatic transmissions rely on a control module. Different model cars use different control modules, but they are all designed to regulate speed, clutch engagement, and gear changes. A design flaw in the control module could take a car out of park.
Another faulty part that could cause a rollaway accident is a defective solenoid pin in the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) system. Solenoid pins are electro-hydraulic valves that are responsible for the changing of gears. The electric signals control the flow of transmission fluid that the transmission needs to change gears.
Do not forget to take your keys with you when you leave your car. Although forgetting your keys is an easy thing to do, especially when bringing groceries from the car and into the house, creating a habit of taking your keys could lessen the possibility of a rollaway accident.
It is a good idea to never leave your car running, even on a cold day or hot day when you are expecting heat or air conditioning as you enter your car. The temperature outside is not going to prevent a worn or faulty transmission from slipping gears.
Using your emergency brake as a part of your parking routine is a good safety measure. If your driveway or parking area is on a hill, make sure to turn your wheels toward the side to limit the rolling distance and objects your car may hit.
If you have been injured in a rollaway car accident due to the negligence of another driver or a mechanical failure, consult one of our experienced Wilmington car accident lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Call us at 302-656-5445 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, we serve clients in Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.