Did you know that more than 44,000 automotive accidents result from malfunctioning vehicles?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1,000 recalls were issued for vehicles, car seats, tires, and other equipment in 2023, followed by the recall of nearly 35 million cars.
We rely on our vehicles to transport ourselves and our loved ones safely, but failing car parts or unsafe design features can result in serious accidents with disastrous results.
However, the failure of your vehicle does not mean you are subject to handling the consequences on your own. Keep reading as our car accident attorneys walk you through product liability claims and how to recover compensation.
How Often Are Defective Car Parts to Blame in an Automotive Accident?
You rely on your vehicle to safely take you from one location to another without a second thought. However, any machine is subject to fault and possible failure – even your vehicle.
The NHTSA is a government agency responsible for keeping people – both drivers and pedestrians alike – safe on America’s roadways. They enforce safety procedures and protocols, from researching driver behavior and traffic safety to promoting seatbelt use and investigating vehicle safety defects.
According to data compiled by the NHTSA, two percent of vehicle crashes resulted from defective car parts, equating to more than 44,000 accidents. In these cases, auto recalls were in place or ordered due to these accidents.
Recalled car parts fail to meet the safety standards under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act and put the safety of both drivers and/or passengers at risk.
Most Common Types of Car Defects that Result in Accidents
Car part recalls can be divided into three categories: defective design, manufacturing defects, and warning defects. Some of the most common recalls and car part failures that can lead to dangerous consequences for drivers and their passengers include:
- Software defects (electronic stability controls, self-driving cars, etc.)
- Electrical system malfunctions (i.e., cruise control, exterior lighting)
- Defective seatbelts, door locks, or child seats
- Brake system failure or fault
- Airbag malfunction (inability to go off or going off unexpectedly)
- Tire defects
- Faulty accelerators that fail or stick while driving
If you experienced any of the car part malfunctions mentioned above or believe you have been the victim of an injury resulting from a car defect, contact a Hoffman Law Firm car accident injury lawyer—conveniently located near you—for guidance on product liability claims and next steps.
Who is Liable if a Defective Car Part is to Blame?
In a product liability lawsuit, more than one party can be responsible for your car accident and subsequent injury.
Think of your vehicle as a melting pot – from the vehicle manufacturer to the manufacturer of the specific part down to the car dealership where you bought your vehicle, each party may hold some level of responsibility for the car part malfunction.
Car Manufacturer
The car manufacturer is typically the largest entity you’ll face in a product liability claim. Responsible for producing the vehicles themselves, the defective design or failure of a specific part may lie with them if they fail to issue a recall or warn of the potential danger of the defect.
Parts Manufacturer
Car manufacturers are responsible for the design and production of the vehicles, but they often gather parts from outside manufacturers. For example, if your car came off the production line with defective tires, you may be able to sue the car manufacturer and the tire manufacturer for the defect.
Middleman
While it may sound ambiguous, the middleman refers to the entities participating in the distribution chain. This may refer to the shipping company that picked up the parts, the company that distributed the parts, or the company responsible for storing them before they were shipped out.
Car Dealership
The car dealership where you purchased your vehicle may be held liable for your injuries, depending on the circumstances. Talk to our car accident lawyers near you to help determine which parties are liable for your injuries and how to seek compensation.
Recovering Damages and Proving Liability: How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help
Collisions that occur due to a defective car part can cause irreversible, life-altering injuries, from facial disfigurement to traumatic brain injuries and, in worst-case scenarios, wrongful death. When your financial, physical, and psychological well-being suffers due to a manufacturer’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation.
Proving Liability
In a product liability claim, proving who is responsible is not always a clear and concise path. With the help of a personal injury attorney, we can help you prove that:
- The vehicle or part in question was defective in design and “unreasonably dangerous.”
- The defective part or vehicle directly caused your injuries or other form of loss
- The injury resulted while the product was being used as intended (i.e., reckless driving did not play a role in the incident)
Seeking Justice and Compensation
In a product liability claim, you may recover economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages that may be recoverable in this type of claim include:
- Initial and ongoing medical bills
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation and specialty medical services
- Cost to repair or replace your vehicle and personal property
Non-economic damages refer to the psychological and emotional damage caused by the injury and accident. This may include:
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Embarrassment due to physical disfigurement or ailments
- Loss of companionship (i.e., if you lost a loved one in the accident)
Seeking Compensation for a Car Accident Injury? Leave it to Hoffman Law Firm
An injury from a car accident can have life-altering consequences. If the responsibility does not lie with you, neither should your mounting medical bills or emotional distress.
Located in Georgetown and Charleston, SC, our personal injury law firm proudly advocates for accident victims throughout the Palmetto State. As the locals’ trusted personal injury law firm, we have extensive experience handling various cases.
We have established a reputation for success and excellent service! To meet with a member of our team, schedule your free consultation today. We are here to help!
