If you’ve ever bought a new car, then you’ve probably received your fair share of recall notices. Whenever the manufacturer finds out there’s something wrong with their cars, they send out a notice to anyone who’s purchased that model vehicle over the last several years. It’s up to you to take the car in to be serviced. If you don’t, and then something happens to the car down the road, it’s on you. This is how the car manufacturer prevents themselves from being sued later on.
There are times, however, when even the manufacturer isn’t aware that there are problems with their car. Other times, they are aware but figure it’s cheaper to risk being sued than it is to issue a recall. These decisions are made by people called “bean counters.” These are the people who decide whether it makes more financial sense for the manufacturer to issue a recall or wait and see how many people file suit. Years ago, this happened a lot more than it does today. Although companies never admit that this is how they make these decisions, over the years, many companies have been called out on the carpet for doing this.
If your loved one has ever been injured due to a mechanical defect in their car, you know how wrong it seems to not warn people of these issues. This is why personal injury attorneys in Crestview, Florida know how to handle product liability cases. When their clients are hurt by dangerous products, they make the manufacturer pay. Not only will they get your family justice, they’ll also get you the compensation you deserve. So, if you’ve been injured by any kind of product – especially a defective car – call our office. You can set up a time to meet with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys.
What are Some of the Types of Defects with Automobile Manufacturers?
Before we get into a discussion about the most common types of mechanical defects with cars, it’s important to talk about the main types of product liability cases. All of these can apply to a car manufacturer. Florida personal injury lawyers see dozens of these types of cases over their careers. This is because, no matter how careful manufacturers try to be, people make mistakes. Perhaps the company releases a new vehicle and has no idea there’s something wrong with it. Or maybe they change the design on a car not realizing that it creates a risk of harm. Either way, they will be held liable. When it comes to car manufacturers, they’re held to a much higher standard than an individual would be.
The three main types of product liability cases are: .jpg)
- Design defects
- Manufacturing defect
- Failure to warn cases
These may all sound the same to you but they’re actually quite different. Here, we’ll talk briefly about each type of case. This way, when you meet with your Crestview personal injury lawyer for the first time, you have some idea of what they’re talking about.
Design Defects:
There are some products that, no matter how perfectly they’re made, are inherently dangerous. When the car was designed, it may have had an issue that nobody caught. Years ago, there was a car called the Fiero. It was sporty and cool to look at. What people didn’t realize was that it was prone to catch on fire if hit in a certain spot. Shortly before the car was taken off the market, people started to refer it as a death trap. Even if the car hadn’t been taken off the market, people wouldn’t have continued to buy it. There were too many horror stories of people burning to death in the car.
Manufacturing Defect:
There are other cars that are perfectly safe if they’re made right. However, because cars are made in an assembly line, there’s always the chance that something could go wrong. For example, when the brakes are being installed, they may not be put in properly. Or, the brakes used could have something wrong with them. When you try to brake, the car may not stop. This is one of the most common problems personal injury lawyer in Crestview see with car cases. The brakes could work perfectly for months or even years. The next thing you know, the brakes fail and you crash into the car in front of you.
Failure to Warn:
There are some risks that can’t be totally removed when designing or manufacturing a car. For example, if you’ve ever looked at the writing on your side mirrors on the car, it instructs you that objects are actually closer than they appear. The same is true for your airbags. If you read the inside of your glove compartment, there are often safety warnings about how the airbags will be released. This is the car manufacturer’s way of warning you about possible safety hazards with the car. If you don’t read them or ignore the warnings, it’s not the company’s fault.
Now that we’ve gone over the basic types of product liability cases, let’s take a look at some of the more common auto manufacturer defects our attorneys handle.
Defective Brakes or Braking Systems
One of the most common types of car defects has to do with the braking system. Whether you’re driving 20 mph or 65 mph, you need to be able to trust that your brakes are going to work. If you can’t stop your car when you need to, bad things are going to happen. Even if you don’t crash into another car, you surely could end up crashing into a tree or utility pole. This can hurt you or even kill you. If your family member is hurt because their car’s brakes failed, there are a few things to consider before you presume the manufacturer is liable for your damages:
- Have you gotten the brakes changed or replaced since you purchased the car? If so, it may be your mechanic that’s responsible for the crash, not the auto manufacturer.
- Did you need to get your brakes replaced before the accident happened? If you knew you needed brakes, or even just brake pads, and failed to get them replaced, you can’t blame the manufacturer. You can’t even blame your mechanic. If you knew about the problem and did nothing to fix it, you really only have yourself to blame.
If you’ve only recently purchased your car and the brakes fail, you may have a valid claim against the manufacturer. Your Crestview injury lawyer can give you a better idea after they meet with you for the first time.
Tire Malfunctions or Issues with Your Tires
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration estimates that tire defects kill about 500 every year in this country. This is because there’s really no way to know there’s anything wrong with your tires until they fail you. You could experience a tire blow-out while doing 70 mph on a busy highway. If this happens, you’re going to get banged around the road like a pinball. This is going to cause very serious injuries. If it’s due to a manufacturer defect, then the manufacturer needs to be held accountable. Call our office and set up a time to come in and discuss your claim.
Airbags That Don’t Deploy the Way They Should
If someone’s driving down the road and their airbag deploys without warning, it can be very dangerous. Even if you manage not to crash your car, you’re still going to suffer an injury. You could break your nose or suffer burns to your face and eyes. You could end up with a facial disfigurement that requires several rounds of surgeries to fix. If this is the case, you’re going to need to call an experienced personal injury lawyer in Crestview, Florida. They have the expertise and knowledge to handle your case. They also have the skills needed to prove that your injuries were caused by a defective airbag.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Crestview, Florida Right Away
If you’ve been in a serious car accident and think it was due to a mechanical failure with your vehicle, you need help. Going up against an auto manufacturer can be intimidating. If you want the best chance of recovering against the giant manufacturer, you’ll want an experienced personal injury lawyer in Crestview there by your side. They know how to prove negligence on the part of the auto manufacturer. They also know how to prove your injuries.
Rather than try to take on the defendant and their team of lawyers on their own, call our office right away. Set up a date and time that works for you so you can meet with your team of experienced injury lawyers in Crestview, Florida.