Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that approximately two percent of car accidents result directly from a defective part or component of a vehicle. While many manufacturers make an earnest attempt to issue recall notices when they learn of a defect, millions of faulty vehicle parts and components remain in the stream of commerce and cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities on the roadways every year.
Suppose you suffered an injury or loss because a faulty part led to a crash. In that case, a car accidents caused by manufacturer defect lawyer can help you understand who might have liability for your collision and how you could receive compensation for your damages. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 730-0233 to review your case with our team. The initial consultation is free.
Types of Vehicle Manufacturing Defects
Any vehicle part or component could have a design flaw or a defect resulting from the manufacturing process. However, NHTSA research shows that certain types of manufacturing defects occur with higher frequency than others. Some frequently found vehicle manufacturing defects include:
- Accelerator pedal: The vehicle fails to accelerate, or the pedal remains stuck.
- Roof structures and support: Causes the vehicle to crush passengers in rollover accidents.
- Fuel leaks: The vehicle explodes or causes a fire.
- Electrical system failures: Causes the lights to dim or the engine to die while driving.
- Tires: Blowouts, tread separations, and other defects can cause drivers to lose control of their car.
- Airbags: A failure to deploy or deployment at inappropriate times.
- Steering wheel: Causes the loss of the ability to control the vehicle.
- Brakes: Results in the inability to stop the vehicle quickly and safely.
- Doors: A failure to remain closed or locked results in passengers thrown from the vehicle.
This list does not detail every manufacturing defect or design flaw that could affect a vehicle part or component, resulting in an accident injury. Any defect in the design, manufacturing, shipping, or distribution of a vehicle part or component can result in a serious accident. If you suffered any injuries, damages, or losses because of a car accident caused by a manufacturing defect, learn how the legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can help you pursue justice and compensation. Call us today to get started.
Liable Parties in Manufacturing Defect Claims
Several parties might have liability for your car accident caused by a manufacturing defect and the responsibility to pay for your injuries and losses. As the Legal Information Institute explains, this area of law (known as product liability law) holds manufacturers and retailers to strict liability standards by which they must ensure that all products placed into the stream of commerce remain safe for consumers and users.
If a defect or design flaw results in a crash, a car accidents caused by manufacturer defect lawyer could help you hold the following parties responsible for your injuries, damages, and losses.
Manufacturer of the Vehicle Part or Component
The manufacturer of the vehicle part or component has responsibility for the initial design of the product. As you can imagine, a car part or component goes through several stages of development and creation before hitting the market.
If an investigation determines that a part or component on a vehicle had a flaw in its original design, or that serious mistakes or errors occurred during any stage of the manufacturing process, the manufacturer could have liability for the victim’s injuries and losses.
Manufacturing Subcontractors
Sometimes, a manufacturer will hire other companies (known as subcontractors) to perform a specific task regarding the design or construction of a vehicle part or component. If the subcontractor makes errors or flaws in manufacturing the vehicle part or component, a victim of a car accident caused by a manufacturer defect might have the legal right to pursue a claim against this specific parts manufacturer as well.
Retailer of Vehicles or Vehicle Parts
Product liability law states that any distributor or retailer of a product with manufacturing defects or design flaws also has legal liability and responsibility for any injuries or damages that a car accident victim suffers.
A car dealership or an automotive parts store could also have liability and responsibility for selling and placing a defective product into the stream of commerce. A victim might have the right to file a claim against any of these entities, depending on the facts and circumstances of their car accident.
Shipping Company of Manufactured Vehicle Part or Component
Product liability casts a wide net and provides victims of car accidents caused by manufacturer defects the ability to file claims against many different entities to receive compensation for their injuries and losses. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, a victim might also have grounds to file a claim against the shipping company of the manufactured vehicle part or component.
Product liability law indicates that any entity or company that remains within the distribution chain of a defective or faulty part or component could have legal responsibility if any injuries or losses result from that defective product’s use.
Consider How a Manufacturing Defect Lawyer Can Assist You
If you suffered injuries because of a car accident due to a manufacturing defect in a part or component of your vehicle, you might have incurred medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
A car accidents caused by manufacturing defect lawyer could help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Call the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 730-0233 for a free case review. A team member can help you understand your legal rights, build a product liability case, and determine which parties you might have grounds to pursue a claim against in your product liability claim.
