Driver error is the main cause of most car accidents. In some rare cases, however, the vehicle itself is the culprit.
Auto defects in new vehicles are, fortunately, not that common. Nevertheless, they do happen. In a recent example, an American car company issued recalls after several vehicles lost power and tightened seatbelts for no apparent reason.
There were no reported accidents in this particular recall. Unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone.
If you get into a car accident because of an auto defect, you may be able to hold the manufacturer accountable. Here is some crucial information that can help.
When is there product liability in car accidents?
In car accidents, product liability refers to an auto company’s legal responsibility for injuries or deaths their products cause. Typically, this liability applies when a vehicle or some of its parts are defective.
There are three main types of product defects:
- Design defect: This type of defect makes a product inherently dangerous before it is even manufactured. For example, if a car’s airbag system is designed in a way that it regularly fails to deploy, that is considered a design defect.
- Manufacturing defect: A manufacturing defect occurs during the assembly process, often because of a deviation from the vehicle’s intended design. This type of defect typically affects a limited number of products rather than the entire product line.
- Marketing defect: Lastly, a marketing defect refers to an error in the product’s marketing. This can be the lack of proper safety warnings or unclear instructions on how to operate the vehicle safely.
Not all vehicle defects cause accidents, but some do. Examples of product defects that can increase the risk of car crashes include:
- Faulty brake lines or hoses
- Tire blowouts due to manufacturing flaws
- Power steering failure
- Faulty wiring that lead to electrical fires
- Airbags that fail to deploy in a crash
It is not always clear whether a vehicle defect is the main cause of an accident. If you believe a defect may have contributed to your crash, consider speaking to an attorney who can help investigate your case.
Can you recover compensation?
Your vehicle’s manufacturer may be liable for your injuries if you can provide sufficient evidence of a product defect. If another driver played a role in your accident, it is possible to recover compensation from them, as well.
On the other hand, filing a product liability claim against the manufacturer can help limit your liability if you were the main cause of the crash. In any case, it is important to explore your legal options before taking action.