HOW DANGEROUS ARE BROKEN WINDSHIELDS? 

For a car to provide optimal safety, it requires all of its components to work in a coordinated fashion. While braking systems, tires, engines and suspension all play a key role in driver safety, there are other aspects to consider. 

The windshield of your vehicle is not only a source of visibility but also a significant safety feature. Frequently, drivers opt to ignore cracks and other faults with this area of a car, and this could be costly. 

WINDSHIELDS FORM PART OF THE OVERALL STRUCTURE

It typically goes unnoted, but windshields are a part of the structural support for the roof of a vehicle. As a result, if a windshield is compromised, so too is the integrity of the vehicle overall. Even the smallest of blemishes in the glass of a windshield can make it much weaker. In a rollover accident, a fully strengthened roof could just save your life. The same cannot be said for a car with a weakened windshield. 

INJURIES FROM GLASS

Modern windshields tend to be laminated, meaning that if the glass shatters, it is contained, resulting in a reduced chance of injury. Where a windshield already has an impairment, this system will not work as effectively. Thus, during a crash, shards of glass could come loose and cause significant injuries to both drivers and passengers. 

VISIBILITY IS KEY

Of course, windshields cannot be discussed without mentioning their role in the visibility of drivers. To ensure that visibility is kept to a maximum, windshields need to be free from damage. Also, a crack in the windshield can be a significant source of distraction, meaning that you pay more attention to it than the environment around you. Even the briefest lapse in concentration could result in a severe accident. 

It is vital that you remain safe on the roads in California and vehicle maintenance is part of this process. If you have beenhurt in a road traffic accident, there may be a route to legal compensation for your injuries.