When Is a Car Accident Caused by a Defective Vehicle or Parts?

The average car weighs over 4,000 pounds and can easily reach speeds of 100 miles per hour. At such high speeds, vehicle accidents can cause serious injury to the driver and passengers.

Most accidents result from human error, but what happens when a defective vehicle or part causes a collision? Here, we’ll discuss common types of vehicle defects and who is liable in these situations. In holding the at-fault party liable, enlist the help of a qualified car accident attorney.

Common Types of Vehicle Defects

Thousands of mechanical and electrical parts work to make vehicles operate properly. Automobile parts must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA). Officials recall any part that does not meet their standards. Lawsuits over defective or dangerously designed vehicles can have many causes, including:

• Airbag defects: If your airbags fail to deploy, your injuries in an accident can be much worse. However, they might deploy even if your car is just lightly tapped, which could cause bruising and burns. Airbags that deploy too fast can also cause injury. Broken bones or even death could be a result of airbags that use too much force.
• Vehicle body weakness: Most cars and trucks are required by safety standards to provide roll bars for rollover protection. If these bars fail, the driver compartment becomes compromised, resulting in severe injury or even death.
• Brake failure: Faulty brakes could result in a severe accident. Not only will you crash into the vehicle in front of you, but if the brake lights are not working either, cars behind you may not realize you’re trying to stop, resulting in a pile-up.
• Tire failure: Companies can accidentally produce tire flaws. The flaw may occur in a whole batch of tires or just one, and a sudden blowout can lead to an accident.
• Defective ignitions: Defective ignitions can cause parts of the vehicle to lose power. Without power, the steering and brakes do not function properly, and airbags may not deploy.
• Design flaws: Some vehicles have design flaws that make the car unsafe. A car not up to federal safety standards could lead to injury or death.
• Vehicle fires: While rare, many have seen a car on fire on the side of the road. Vehicles are not supposed to combust spontaneously, and this can be a sign of a defect.

Drivers depend on their vehicles every day to get them to their destinations safely. When a manufacturing defect causes vehicles to fail, those in the car can sustain serious injuries.

Who Is Liable If a Car Defect Causes an Accident?

Automobile and part manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe and to warn consumers if there are dangers. When they fail to do this, the injured party may file a lawsuit seeking to recover damages or injuries caused by the defective part. Here are a few entities potentially responsible for automobile accidents if a defective part is a cause:

• Car dealership
• Transportation company
• Auto parts store
• Vehicle manufacturer

On your own, it may be hard to determine who is at fault, but an attorney will be able to assist you by launching an investigation. So, it’s important to take pictures of the accident and defective part if you’re able to.

Contact Expert Vehicle Accident Attorneys

If your car accident results from a defective vehicle or part, reach out to the Adamson Ahdoot law firm. Our expert team will keep you informed throughout your entire claim. After meeting with you one-on-one, we’ll launch an investigation into your case and the circumstances that led up to the crash. We will fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve for lost wages and medical bills.

Adamson Ahdoot is a California-based personal injury law firm with over 100 years of combined experience. Call us at (877) 871-3265 or complete our contact form to schedule your free consultation. We’ll fight for you!