There are many accidents that occur where victims ask for compensation from the at-fault driver. But what if the accident occurs due to a vehicle defect, then who takes the liability? The other responsible parties apart from the driver also have to bear the lability in the personal injury lawsuit.
WHO TAKES THE LIABILITY FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE OR INJURIES DUE TO VEHICLE DEFECT?
There are various parties potentially responsible for keeping your car free from any defects and maintaining safety standards. Here is a list of the potential entities who can be liable for any accidents caused by vehicle defects:
- Car manufacturers
- Equipment manufacturers
- Component producers
- Some other parties who are involved in the manufacturing or production of the vehicle
- Repair shops.
If the defect is in the part or product that came on the car you bought as original equipment, then the liability will likely be on the manufacturer. Also if the vehicle did not meet with the safety standards of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, the manufacturer could be held liable in that case too.
In the product liability claim if the defect in the product is caused by the plaintiff either by adding some devices or accessories which were not part of the original assembly, or definitive after-markey parts caused the problem, then liability on the original manufacturer could be replaced with the after-market manufacturer or if the car was recently worked on by a repair shop or tire store they could be responsible.
BEWARE OF SENDING DEFECTIVE PARTS TO THE AUTOMAKER
In most cases for accidents caused due to defective parts, a car manufacturer and allied parties will try to reach out to you and try to convince you to send that part or the vehicle to them in order to see what went wrong.
But remember if you send the part or the vehicle you will be surrendering the best piece of evidence you have in your claim. You will not likely have any chance to get that item returned at any point. So it will be difficult for you and your attorney to re-examine the most important evidence of your case. Before you allow anyone to see or examine that part, it would be wise to consult with a knowledgable attorney. They can help you to decide what must be done and when it is safe to share it with others.
ACCIDENTS CAUSED DUE TO DEFECTIVE VEHICLES
Accidents caused due to defective vehicles pose a significant risk to public safety and can lead to devastating consequences. When vehicles are manufactured with defects or faulty components, they may malfunction while on the road, increasing the likelihood of accidents. These defects can range from issues with brakes and steering systems to faulty airbags or electrical systems. In such cases, determining liability can be complex, involving investigation into the manufacturing process, design flaws, or inadequate testing procedures. Victims of accidents caused by defective vehicles may suffer severe injuries or even loss of life, highlighting the importance of stringent safety standards and thorough quality control measures within the automotive industry.
CONCLUSION
As we discussed, if you or your loved one (s) have suffered an accident caused due to defective parts, reach out to me for free case evaluation or to answer any questions you may have.