With car accidents caused by mechanical failure, a vehicle manufacturer, mechanic or driver may be liable. The person or entity that is liable is the one who causes the accident to happen. A driver or a mechanic must act negligently in a way that contributes to the crash. A vehicle manufacturer has strict liability for a car accident caused by a defective vehicle. There are varying legal standards. However, any driver or party who has contact with the car can be liable for a car accident caused by mechanical failure. You may or may not be legally liable for accidents caused by mechanical failures on your vehicle. If you are negligent in maintaining your vehicle or repairing a known defect, you are legally liable. You could also be legally responsible for failing to get your vehicle fixed if there’s a recall. However, if the mechanical failure occurs because of a failure on the part of the manufacturer to make a safe vehicle, you are not at fault for the accident. Whether you are legally liable for the accident depends on the reasons for mechanical failure.