Are Car Mods Legal?
In keeping with America’s car culture, many automobile owners have taken it upon themselves to upgrade and customize their favorite machines with after-market parts. Even though car modification has been popular with enthusiasts for decades, the modern gear-head must contend with state and local laws that may crack down on a certain type of build or spoiler or put prohibitive emissions standards in place. For those who follow the law, the result is a state of confusion between authorities and car owners in which even factory-specified vehicles can receive tickets in certain states.
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a reckless driver, contact the Rhinelander car accident attorneys of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. ® at 800-242-2874 to discuss your situation with a legal advisor today.
Modifying a Vehicle
In short, there is no simple answer for whether or not a given car mod is legal. As standards can even differ from city to city, an enthusiast’s first duty is to check up on their surrounding laws. Next, any changes in vehicle emissions need to be tested according to legal standards. Major car mods can significantly alter emissions, so this is an important step for an owner. Modifications that may be affected by emission laws or localized legislation can include:
- Spoilers
- Tires and wheel size
- Modified suspension
- Modified engines
- Tinted glass
- Headlights, taillights, or turn signals
- Exhaust pipes
Car modifications themselves rarely have negative effects on driver safety. If installed correctly, a driver should know and understand the changes their vehicle has undergone. On the other hand, some enthusiasts take the hobby too far, racing on public streets or speeding down a highway.
Contact Us
If another driver’s speeding or lane-weaving has led to an accident that injured you or someone you love, you may be eligible to take legal action. Contact the Rhinelander car accident lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. ® by calling 800-242-2874 to discuss your potential claim today.
