Many people understandably assume that driver negligence causes every car accident, but defective vehicle parts also cause or contribute to many serious crashes. Mechanical failures and dangerous manufacturing defects sometimes leave drivers with little or no ability to avoid collisions. When defective components contribute to an accident, injury victims may have legal rights beyond a standard insurance claim.
Brake failures, defective tires, steering malfunctions, airbag defects, electrical problems and engine issues may all increase crash risks. Some defects develop over time due to faulty manufacturing or poor design, while others may exist from the moment the vehicle leaves the assembly line.
Recalls may serve as clues that there’s more to a crash than meets the eye
Recalls are often initiated only after crashes related to defects occur. This means that all too often, drivers are not alerted to concerns until after others have suffered harm as a result of a concern. Yet, even when recalls are initiated, the news of a particular recall may arrive too late for certain motorists to avoid harm.
For example, recently, Hyundai Motor Company recalled more than 421,000 vehicles due to a software issue involving the anti-lock braking system. According to reports, the defect could affect vehicle stability and braking performance under certain conditions, increasing accident risks for drivers and passengers. Only time and additional reporting will tell whether this particular defect caused or contributed to any number of crashes.
Defective parts can cause devastating accidents. And, unfortunately, product liability claims involving defective vehicles are often far more complicated than ordinary car accident cases. Multiple parties may potentially share responsibility, including vehicle manufacturers, parts suppliers, dealerships or repair facilities.
Yet, despite these challenges, victims injured in crashes involving defective parts may be entitled to significant compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and other damages. An experienced legal team can help injury victims to seek any damages to which they are rightfully entitled.