Car Accident Risks You May Not Have Considered: Rodents

OMAHA, Nebraska. Car acting strangely? It might be rodents. Seriously. According to Consumer Reports, more car companies are using plant-based biodegradable materials in new vehicles, putting cars at risk of being the target of vermin. A range of car companies have reported that rodents have attacked the wiring of their cars. Even if your car isn’t plant-based, some rodents may now think that older cars are chewable based on their experience with more palatable cars. Other rodents may just chew on wires and car components to sharpen and wear down their constantly-growing teeth. The end result—problems with your car.

How bad can it get? Consumer Reports notes that in some cases, rodents have chewed through power steering and others have stopped up air conditioning vents with their nests. Rodents can pose a real danger—beyond sending your car to the shop. If rodents eat through critical wires, you could find yourself driving without brakes or driving without steering—a truly frightening thought and a dangerous situation.

Animals in general can pose hazards to your car. In addition to the risk of hitting a deer, which can result in serious injury, drivers might swerve to avoid animals, putting other drivers at risk.

So, what can you do to protect yourself? Some car owners are using electrical tape treated with capsaicin—essentially, hot sauce. The hot taste of the tape keeps rodents away and can protect your electrical components. Other car owners who have faced the problem of rodents have installed metal mesh around their car’s wiring system.

The New York Times also notes that a better way to protect your car is to just keep it in a garage. If you don’t have a garage, you might want to think about ordering the wire mesh or special spicy tape. Rodent infestations in cars are so common that the Times reports that the House Speaker Paul Ryan found his car broken due to an infestation.

The reality is that car owners have a responsibility to keep their vehicles in working order. Failure to do so can result in malfunctions that can put drivers at greater risk of crashes, endangering others on the road. Bad tires can lead to blowouts. Failure to check your brakes regularly can lead to brake failure. Even a problem with your car’ suspension can lead to difficulty steering which can pose hazards at higher speeds.

We often hear about the responsibility that truck drivers and companies have to keep their trucks in working order. Well, passenger vehicle drivers have the same responsibilities. If you or a loved one has been hurt because you believe another driver didn’t maintain their car in working order, you may have certain rights under the law. Rensch & Rensch are personal injury lawyers in Omaha, Nebraska who work closely with victims of car accidents, helping them seek damages for their injuries and losses. If you’ve been hurt in a crash, contact us today at https://www.renschandrensch.com/ to learn more about your rights and options.

Rensch & Rensch Law
7602 Pacific Street,
Suite 102
Omaha, NE 68114