When you purchase a vehicle, you trust that everything is in working order. The last thing you think about is suffering an accident or injury caused by a vehicle manufacturer defect. Unfortunately, defects are all too common and result in collisions and injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident and believe a manufacturing defect is to blame, the personal injury lawyers at The Joel Bieber Firm want to speak to you.
What Is a Vehicle Defect?
When products are created or manufactured, there is always a risk of defects. A product defect refers to a problem with the way a product is designed or produced that causes it not to work as originally intended.
There are three main types of product defects:
- Design Defects: The product has a flawed design
- Manufacturing Defects: There’s an error in how the product was manufactured
- Failure to Warn: The product is missing warning labels or usage instructions
Just about any product can be defective, including vehicles. When a vehicle suffers vehicle manufacturer defects, either the entire car or part of the car has an issue. Unfortunately, defective vehicles can cause terrible accidents.
Common Vehicle Manufacturer Defects
Almost any part of a vehicle can have a manufacturing defect. However, certain types of defects are more common than others.
Some of the vehicle parts that most frequently experience defects include:
- Tires: Tire defects include tread separation and blowouts
- Brakes: Brakes can fail, making it impossible to stop safely
- Airbags: Airbags may fail to deploy or deploy at inappropriate times
- Roof: Defective roofs can fail to provide adequate safety in a collision
- Seat Belts: A seat belt can be defective if it fails to satisfy its intended use
- Gas Tank: A defective gas tank can leak and cause an explosion in an accident
- Steering Wheel: Steering wheel defects can make it impossible to maintain control of the vehicle
- Accelerator: The accelerator can get stuck, leaving the vehicle moving at a high speed, or fail to work, causing the car to be unmovable
Vehicle manufacturer defects in a vehicle can cause harm on their own and in some cases, either cause an accident or exacerbate damage and injury should you experience a wreck.
If you believe a defect caused your accident or injury, do not hesitate to consult with an experienced manufacturing defect attorney.
Liability for Accidents Caused by Manufacturer Defects
Determining liability for a vehicle with a manufacturing defect can be tricky. In many cases, multiple parties may be at fault for your harm.
Potentially liable parties for vehicle manufacturer defects in vehicles include:
- Manufacturers of the vehicle or car parts
- Auto mechanics
- Distributors
- Retailers
An investigation is usually necessary to decipher what exactly caused your accident. By figuring out the cause of your accident, you can determine who is financially responsible for your harm and losses.
Successfully establishing a party is liable usually requires providing proof of the defect and how the defect caused your accident and/or harm. This is often one of the most challenging parts of a vehicle manufacturer defects case for vehicles, but a knowledgeable lawyer can take on the task.
Potential Compensation for Accidents Caused by Defects
When a manufacturing defect causes an accident and injuries, it can quickly become expensive. You’ll likely face financial repercussions due to costly medical bills and other monetary losses.
Fortunately, you may be able to recover compensation. Monetary damages can cover tangible and intangible losses associated with your accident. Some of the damages that may be available to you include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Loss of earning potential
- Property damage
- Disfigurement
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
Determining the value of your case is critical to pursue fair compensation. You can rely on your attorney to examine the details of your case to decide how much your claim is worth and seek the most favorable outcome on your behalf.
What to Do After an Accident Caused by a Manufacturing Defect
After an accident caused by a vehicle manufacturer defect, you should always put your health and well-being first. Seek medical attention right away if you’re injured.
Because evidence is so important in product liability cases, you’ll want to keep your vehicle, even if it’s a total loss. Your car is the most significant piece of evidence, and it can provide answers to many questions.
As soon as you’re able, contact a skilled lawyer. Your attorney will be able to answer your questions, gather pertinent information, and provide sound legal advice.
Manufacturing Defects and Recalls
When a product is defective, it should be made known to the public. However, you can’t always count on companies to publicize information regarding recalls. Therefore, you may be completely unaware that your vehicle is under recall.
Additionally, some recalls take months or even years to happen, meaning victims may be experiencing accidents and suffering injuries in the meantime.
Fortunately, even if the manufacturer has recalled your vehicle or some part of your vehicle, you can still take action to seek justice and pursue compensation for your injuries. Just because there’s a recall, it doesn’t mean the manufacturer and other liable parties are off the hook.
Discuss Your Case with an Attorney
If you’ve suffered harm caused by a vehicle manufacturer defect, you’re not alone. A defective product lawyer has the knowledge and experience to handle your case and get positive results for you.
The legal team at The Joel Bieber Firm believes in holding liable parties accountable for their actions. If you’ve suffered harm, we want to make the situation right. You shouldn’t have to bear the financial burden alone.
Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation, and let’s discuss how we can assist you.
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