Cars are intricate machines with thousands of parts. When one of these part fails, the car will no longer function properly. Like any piece of machinery, general wear and tear is the most common cause of a malfunctioning car part, but these malfunctions can sometimes be caused by product defects. In this circumstance, if you face a personal injury because of a defective car part, you likely have a case for a personal injury lawsuit.
In this article, we’ll cover what you need to know about defective car parts and motor vehicle lawsuits.
Types of Defective Car Part Claims
Vehicle manufacturers have legal obligations to ensure the parts they manufacture and sell are safe. The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act ensures manufacturers produce vehicles that meet safety standards, and recall or remove those that do not. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Since this act was instituted in 1966 there have been over 390 million vehicle recalls, 46 million tire recalls, and 66 million defective car part recalls.
Defective car parts can be a result of a defectively designed part where the part was not designed safely, or a manufacturing defect where the part was designed safely, but there was an error made in the manufacturing process that rendered it unsafe. In either of these circumstance, if you’ve suffered a personal injury from a defective car part an experienced lawyer can work with you for a personal injury lawsuit.
Defective Motor Vehicle Lawsuits
When it comes to defective car parts and personal injury lawsuits, common defective vehicle components and equipment include:
- Airbags fail to deploy or malfunction
- Tire defects, including poor rubber quality
- Seat belt failure
- Seat back failures
- Malfunction with the steering system
- Faulty transmission
- Accelerator sticks and fails to function properly
- Leaking fuel system
Who is liable for defective car parts?
The manufacturing process of a car is complex. There are several parties that car parts will pass through including the car manufacturer who put the car together, the parts manufacturer that creates the parts, and the middle man which could be any other party that had a role in the distribution chain.
In each stage of the process there is risk for error. The cause of the crash will need to be examined closely to determine who is liable for the defective car part. Product liability is complex, and proving liability can be challenging. It’s imperative to examine the accident from all angles to find out where the responsibility lies. An experienced lawyer is your best asset to ensure your interests are being looked out for.
What damages can be recovered from defective car parts?
Car collisions can cause severe personal injuries, effecting the injured party in the short and long term. When there has been negligence in the manufacturing process, the injured party has the right to receive compensation for pain, suffering, loss of wages, past and future medical expenses.
FAQs
What is a defected car?
An issue with a vehicle may be considered a defect when something is technically wrong with the vehicle’s safe operation. This includes acceleration, braking, steering, and other crucial functions that ensure passenger safety. Some of the most common car defects involve faulty seat belts, airbags, tires, door latch mechanisms, and fuel systems.
What are the risks of defective car parts?
The dangers of defective car parts are serious. Whether it be the wiring system or acceleration controls, a defective car part could pose life-altering injuries to you or passengers. If you are injured in one of these accidents, it’s crucial to contact an experienced personal injury attorney to assist with your case.
What is a defective product claim?
A defective product claim does not stem from a simple manufacturing error. Instead, this type of case arrises when an entire line of products is deemed inherently dangerous. This category of defective vehicle lawsuits involves vehicles or car parts that have an unreasonably risky design that threatens passenger safety.
Can car manufacturers be held liable?
In most product liability cases, the car manufacturer can be held liable but due to the size of the company, you will need an experienced personal injury lawyer to help defend your case. With a team of high-priced lawyers working against you, you’ll want legal counsel that knows how major corporations work and can properly fight for the compensation you deserve.
Can I sue a dealership for negligence?
Yes! However, if you want to sue a dealership for negligence, you must be able to prove the standard of care was inadequate.
Personal Injury Lawyer in South Florida
If you believe a defective car part caused an injury to you or a loved one, Porcaro Law Group is here for you. Car manufacturing companies are huge corporations with plenty of resources. If you are not working with an experienced auto defect lawyer, you will be at a disadvantage dealing with the manufacturer’s claims agent to settle your claim as their job is to protect the company.
Our purpose at Porcaro Law Group is simple. We are here to help victims and their loved ones receive the compensation they deserve. Trust your case to an experienced South Florida personal injury lawyer. Contact us today to get started with your personal injury case.