Vehicle Defects Cause Car Accidents
While cars are considerably safer than they were several decades ago, vehicle defects still cause serious car accidents that result in personal injuries. The National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that vehicle “factors” were the critical reason for 44,000 of the 2.2 million accidents they reviewed between 2005 and 2007.
If you were the victim of a car accident because of a manufacturer’s failure to announce a product recall or vehicle defect within a reasonable timeframe, you may be entitled to file a personal injury or product liability suit. Contact an experienced car accident lawyer right away; he or she may be able to help you file a claim to seek compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering.
Top vehicle defects that have caused car accidents
When an automotive part fails to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations issued by the NHTSA, automotive manufacturers are required to issue a recall. Unfortunately, recalls are often not issued until multiple car accidents and personal injuries have occurred.
Top vehicle defects from the NHTSA list points to issues that can cause loss of control of the vehicle/car accidents or serious damage to the vehicle/injuries to the victim(s):
- Accelerators that stick or break
- Air bags that deploy at the wrong time
- Electrical system problems that lead to fires or loss of lights
- Wheels that crack or break
- Fuel system components vulnerable to damage in a crash. Once damaged they leak and cause fires.
- Windshield wiper assembly systems that do not work properly and cause diminished views
- Seats or seatbacks that fail
- Tires that fall apart or separate from the vehicle
- Failed steering system
- Failed ignition system
- Failed seatbelts
- Vehicle rolls over when it swerves and/or roof collapses when vehicle rolls over
Liability for automotive defects
Automobile and auto parts manufacturers have a duty to ensure that their products are reasonably safe or to warn consumers within a reasonable time-frame when dangers are discovered. When manufacturers fail in this duty, an injured party may be entitled to file a product liability lawsuit to recover damages for injuries caused by the defective product. The liable party can be one of several depending on the situation that caused the accident: the automobile manufacturer, the manufacturer of the defective part, the company that distributed the vehicle, the car dealer or others.
If you or a loved one is dealing with an accident or injury, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
