This post is a follow-up to my recent blog regarding the mass vehicle recalls - CONSUMER ADVISORY: DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS CAUSE INJURIES IN CRASHES . Although most of the car accidents we are called upon to deal with in our Phoenix personal injury law firm are caused by negligence or driver error, sometimes they are caused by defects in the vehicle itself.  How can drivers ensure that they are driving a safe vehicle?  Now there is an online tool that will supplement regular maintenance and safety checks for your vehicle.

U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has created a new Web site that enables an owner of all major light-weight vehicles and motorcycles to look up the recall status of their vehicle using only the VIN number. Go to the new Web site www.safercar.gov/vinlookup, and enter the VIN of your vehicle or a vehicle you are thinking of buying, and you will be able to ascertain if there is an active recall on the vehicle.  The site will also let you know if the recalled vehicle has been successfully repaired by the automobile manufacturer.

You can also download the Safercar mobile app and search for all vehicle recalls. The Safercar mobile app is available for iPhones (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/safercar/id593086230?ls=1) and Androids (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.nhtsa.safercar.)

Jay Ciulla is a personal injury and wrongful death lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona.