While there are plenty of potential causes of car crashes, there are some that are more preventable than others. Many times, all it takes is simple maintenance in order to keep a car safe and free of potential dangers.

One thing that individuals can do to help protect themselves on the road is to check their brakes. These are so very important in stopping vehicles, especially unexpectedly and at high speeds. They protect drivers from serious motor vehicle accidents.

Here are some tips you can utilize to check your brakes and ensure they are sufficient to stop a vehicle.

Listen for Signs of Wear

Your brake pads are not like other parts of your vehicle. If things are going bad or there is too much wear on the brake pads, you’ll know. How? Well, you’ll definitely hear the issue before you even have to look at the brake pads.

If you’re driving and when you hit your brakes, there is a loud screeching noise, it could be an indicator that there is a problem with the brake pads. The louder the screeching and if it continues even without you pressing on the brakes, the more likely you need to change the brakes.

Remove the Wheel to Check the Brake Pads

Remove the wheel to get a clear look at the brake pads. When you get access to the brake pads, you’re looking to ensure that the pad thickness is adequate enough to protect your rotors and stop your vehicle.

Checking Through the Wheel

Some vehicles have wheels where the rims allow the driver to see through to the brake pads. It may be a bit more difficult to measure the pad thickness, but you can get a look at it which could be enough to tell you whether or not to change the pads.

At The Daspit Law Firm, our Houston auto accident attorneys encourage everyone to take proper precautions in order to ensure your vehicle is safe. Negligence involved in a car accident may mean the victim can seek compensation for damages sustained.

To speak with a lawyer about your potential case, call our firm today.