When Are Car Manufacturers At Fault For Auto Accidents?

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

Auto accidents can happen for many reasons. While most crashes are due to human error, sometimes a vehicle defect is to blame. A manufacturer defect or failure to maintain the vehicle properly can be at fault in cases where a driver loses control of the vehicle, resulting in a collision or crash.

If you are injured in an accident caused by a vehicle defect, you may be able to sue more than one party and recover substantial damages. This area of the law is very complicated, and it can be challenging to prove your claim. The car accident attorneys at Cochran Kroll & Associates, P.C. have the experience and skill to help you understand how to move forward with your accident case.

Learn how to protect your rights and the types of damages you may be entitled to if you were injured when driving a defective vehicle or a car with a defective product installed by vehicle manufacturers.

Vehicle Defects That Can Cause Auto Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has said that of the approximately 2.2 million accidents it reviewed in 2015, vehicle defects caused 44,000. These are some of the most common vehicle defects that result in personal injury.

Airbag Deployment Issues

Airbags can cause injury or death by deploying at the wrong time or failing to deploy during an accident. In addition, defective airbags can cause serious injury or death when they explode.

Accelerators that Jam or Break

Problems with your accelerator are extremely dangerous and can result in an inability to control or stop your vehicle after reaching high speeds.

Defective Braking Systems

The whole braking system may fail if one part fails. Without brakes, the driver has lost control over the vehicle and is likely to have a serious accident.

Steering Systems that Fail

A steering system failure leaves the driver with no means of controlling where the car is going. Steering systems are complex and made up of many components. If any of them break, they will likely cause the driver to lose control.

Fuel System Defects

These defects can be lethal in an auto crash. If the fuel system fails, it could cause an explosion in a crash.

Defective Tires

Tire defects can be responsible for rollover accidents or blowouts. Tires are the interface between the car and the road. If they fail to do their job, the vehicle will become unstable and unmanageable.

Seat Belt Defects

These can cause serious injuries if they fail to operate correctly in a crash. They can also cause serious injury if they pull too hard on impact.

Defective Seats

A defective seat may collapse and cause the driver to lose control, resulting in a serious collision.

Defective Windshield Wipers

Problems with the windshield wipers can impair driver visibility. When the wipers fail to clear the windshield properly, the driver does not know what is happening on the road in front of them.

Liability for Accidents Caused by Vehicle Defects

Many parties may be found liable for accidents caused by vehicle defects such as:

• The car manufacturer if the design or the build of the vehicle is defective
• Manufacturer of parts put in the car like seat belts, airbags, or tires
• Engineers who create specialist models of vehicles such as AMG for Mercedes if their modification of the car causes the accident
• Manufacturers of aftermarket parts if failure of those parts caused the crash

One or more of these parties together may be found liable for the accident. The automobile industry, their suppliers, and their insurance companies will fight with all the ammunition at hand to defend these claims. Proving product liability can be highly time-consuming and challenging. You need an experienced and knowledgeable car accident lawyer to help you conduct a thorough accident investigation to establish your liability claim.

You will need help proving liability against at least one of the parties under the product liability doctrines:

• Breach of warranty (express or implied)
• Strict liability

The personal injury lawyers at Cochran Kroll & Associates, P.C. have the experience to guide you through all aspects of the compensation claim.

What Compensation Can I Get for an Accident Caused by a Vehicle Defect?

The level of compensation you may be awarded depends on all the circumstances surrounding the case. It is vital to identify all the possible defendants to increase your chances of recovering the compensation amount you are entitled to. In a product liability case, you may recover compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Impairments and disabilities
• Lost wages
• Medical costs
• Property damage
• Any other financial damage resulting from the accident

To make sure you recover all the compensation you deserve, seek the counsel and guidance of knowledgeable product liability attorneys.

Speak to an Auto Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been injured in an auto accident caused by a vehicle defect, the legal team at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. can offer guidance when filing your claim.

Our results-driven car accident lawyers and product liability lawyers can help you understand the law, assist with gathering evidence, navigate procedural formalities, and deal with the defendant’s auto insurance lawyers.

Our contingency fee basis means we only get paid if we win your case, so there is no financial risk to you to get started. Call our law firm today at 866-MICH-LAW and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.