Getting compensation after a serious car accident can be hard.
In some cases, for example, the responsible driver may not have a lot of insurance or other means to pay compensation for the injuries they caused.
There are other ways an injured motorist can receive compensation in these cases. For example, the victim may have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage available to them. They may also have personal injury protection benefits available to them.
But there is still a good chance that at the end of the day, a victim suffering from serious or catastrophic injuries will have to figure out how they are going to cover their medical bills, lost income and other expenses.
Those in the greater D.C. area facing this situation may want to consider whether others are also legally responsible for their injuries.
Vehicle manufacturers may be liable for injuries
For example, many motor vehicle accidents happen, and many injuries occur, because of flaws in the design of the vehicle. In other situations, a manufacturing error may make a vehicle unsafe.
The law surrounding what is called product liability can be complicated. The basic idea is that companies which manufacture, distribute or sell products, including motor vehicles and their component parts, are responsible for making sure their products are safe.
Specifically, manufacturers must make sure they design their products with safety in mind and that they assemble their products properly. They must also ensure that customers get adequate warnings and instructions on how to use the product safely.
If a dangerous vehicle injures a motorist, then the motorist may be able to pursue compensation from the vehicle’s manufacturer.
Whether it is appropriate to pursue a claim will depend on the circumstances, but injured victims in Maryland should explore a product liability claim along with their other legal options.