How Do I Know If My Car Accident Was Caused by a Vehicle Defect?

 Posted on May 19, 2021 in Car Accidents

The majority of car accidents are caused by human error. Taking a turn too fast, running a red light, driving while intoxicated, or texting and driving may all lead to injury-causing crashes. However, not every collision is the result of poor driving. In some cases, a crash is caused or aggravated by defective vehicle components. If you or a loved one were harmed in an auto accident, it is important to understand how vehicle defects may have played a role.

When is a Vehicle or Vehicle Part Considered Defective?

Just like all other consumer products, motor vehicles cannot present unreasonable risks to buyers. If a vehicle or vehicle component is defective and that defect causes an individual to be injured or killed, the party responsible for the defect may be liable for damages.

Vehicle defects typically fall into one of two categories: design defects or manufacturing defects. A design defect occurs when a product was unreasonably unsafe from its inception. Every product in that particular line of products may need to be recalled and fixed or replaced.  A manufacturing defect occurs when a mistake during the manufacturing process causes a vehicle component to function incorrectly or contain unreasonable safety hazards.

Can I Sue If a Vehicle Defect Caused My Injuries?

In the 90s, Firestone was forced to recall over 6 million tires because of manufacturing errors that caused the tire tread to separate from the steel belts. The tires, which were primarily installed in Ford SUVs, have been linked to 200 deaths and many more injuries. Defects in vehicles’ tires, brakes, steering mechanisms, electrical systems, and frames have been blamed for car accident injuries and deaths in the past. If a vehicle defect caused your accident or worsened the injuries you or a loved one suffered in an accident, you may be able to sue for damages. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your property damage, medical bills and ongoing medical needs, pain and suffering, lost wages from missed work, and more. The party who is liable for the defect may be the company that designed the product, the product manufacturer, the distributor, or even the dealership.

Contact a Rockford Car Defects Lawyer

If you were injured in a car crash caused by vehicle defects or if a defective vehicle component worsened the injuries you sustained in the accident, you may have the right to sue. You could be entitled to monetary damages for your losses. Contact a Winnebago County product liability attorney at Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, to learn more. Call us at 815-215-7561 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/auto-manufacturing/10-vehicle-manufacturing-defects.htm