Most crashes are caused by drivers’ actions, but car defects can also cause accidents. These hidden dangers can turn a routine drive into a nightmare. Having a Collins Law car accident lawyer is essential for your needs.
Understanding how car defects can cause car accidents can help you protect yourself against future accidents. It can also help you seek compensation if vehicle defects played a role in your accident. Read on to learn more about car defects and car accidents.
What is a Car Defect?
A car defect is any flaw or malfunction that affects a car’s safety or performance. When a car defect goes unnoticed or unfixed, it can lead to serious accidents and injuries. Most vehicle defects fall into three categories:
- Manufacturing Defects: These defects happen during a car’s production and assembly. Installing faulty electrical components or bad brakes are two examples.
- Design Defects: Cars must be designed to be safe for drivers, passengers, and others. For example, an SUV with a “top-heavy” design might be more prone to rollovers than one that’s properly designed.
- Failure to Warn Defects: Legally, car manufacturers must warn vehicle owners about potential safety risks. If a car company knows about an issue but doesn’t warn the public, people will not be able to correct the problem.
Car defects are relatively rare. According to research, vehicle defects play a role in just 2-12 percent of crashes. However, manufacturing defects such as stalled engines, brake failure, or loss of steering can cause a driver to lose control, which can lead to serious injuries and even fatalities.
Which Car Defects Most Often Lead to Car Accidents?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the vehicle defects most likely to cause crashes involve
- Tires (35%).
- Brakes (22%).
- Steering (3%).
Tire problems include low tread (bald tires) and tire blowouts. Typical brake issues include faulty brake lines, damaged brake discs, and flawed braking systems.
The remaining 40% of crashes were caused by defects involving other car components. These can include malfunctions of important equipment, such as
- Airbags.
- Seatbelts.
- Headlights.
- Taillights.
- Vehicle suspension.
- Transmission.
- Electrical components.
How Can I Prove that a Defect Caused My Alabama Car Accident?
If you suspect a car defect played a role in your accident, first, be sure to follow the steps that you would after any car accident, such as taking pictures of the accident scene, collecting the names of witnesses, and contacting an Alabama accident attorney. In addition, if you believe a vehicle malfunction played a role in your car crash, you must preserve the vehicle. Do not get it repaired until it can be properly inspected by an expert.
Manufacturer recalls can also give your case a boost. Car makers issue recalls whenever they learn about safety issues with their vehicles to alert car owners to potential problems. Showing that there was an active recall can help your Birmingham injury attorney show that there was a known mechanical problem.
Your car maintenance records are also helpful evidence. If you kept your car in good repair, it will help prove that you couldn’t have known about the defect. On the other hand, if you got a recall notice and ignored it, the car company may try to argue that you could have prevented the accident by getting your car fixed.
Can I Sue a Car Manufacturer for a Defect?
Yes. Car manufacturers have a legal obligation to produce and sell safe vehicles. When they fail to do so, a special branch of law called products liability allows car buyers to hold them responsible.
Products liability is a very complex area of personal injury law. What you’ll need to prove in your case depends on the defect type and how the carmaker failed to keep you safe. An experienced Alabama car accident lawyer can tell you more about how these laws apply to your case.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Get for Accident Injuries Caused by a Car Defect?
In personal injury cases, people are given financial compensation to cover the economic, emotional, and other harms caused by an accident. Car accident lawyers call this compensatory damages. People injured in car accidents caused by manufacturing defects may be entitled to many types of damages, including:
- Medical expenses.
- Lost wages.
- Pain and suffering.
- Property damage.
Your Birmingham accident lawyer can help you decide which damages are appropriate in your case.
How Can a Birmingham Car Accident Lawyer Help Me with Defect-Related Claims?
An Alabama car accident lawyer can provide invaluable assistance in a manufacturing defect claim. An experienced car accident lawyer can
- Investigate the causes of your accident.
- Find an expert to testify about the defect’s role in your accident.
- Negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Represent you in court if necessary.
If you suspect that a car defect played a part in causing your accident, please contact Collins Law. At Collins Law, we will fight tirelessly to help you get the compensation you deserve. We’ll treat you with kindness and compassion every step of the way. To find out how our car accident lawyer can help you, use our website’s online scheduling tool or call 205-588-1411 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.
