What Is The Role of Product Liability In Vehicle Defects?
When you buy a car, or any other vehicle, you trust it is in operable condition. If a flaw or defect in the vehicle causes injury or death, you have a right to hold the person who made the vehicle or sold it to you accountable. Product liability is the area of law that determines the responsibility of manufacturers and sellers to compensate for harm caused by defective products.
The lawyers at Carter Law Offices, P.C., have a wealth of experience with product liability issues involving vehicles. If you believe you have been in an accident caused by a vehicle defect, talk to one of our personal injury attorneys for an assessment of your case.
The Common Types Of Vehicle Defects
Design defects are flaws that exist before the product is even made, essentially in the blueprints of the product. Manufacturing defects, on the other hand, refer to the defects that arise or occur during the construction or production of the item. Regardless, a vehicle defect is any issue that can pose a safety risk or impair the vehicle’s operation such as:
- Faulty brakes
- Airbags failing to deploy or suddenly deploying
- Seatbelt failure
- Electrical system malfunctions
- Engine defects and failures
- Transmission issues
- Damaged tires
- Steering system errors or faulty steering equipment
- Windshield wiper malfunctions
- Fuel system problems
Each state has its own laws and time limits for filing a product liability claim; you must act quickly and consult with an auto product liability lawyer who understands the specifics of your local laws. At Carter Law Offices, P.C., we have worked with families throughout Iowa and Omaha who have been in car accidents. We helped them get the compensation they needed to recover.
Are You At Fault If An Auto Defect Causes An Accident?
When an accident caused by an auto defect occurs, the driver is typically not at fault. Instead, the manufacturer or seller may be liable under product liability law. You are the consumer of the product. Your responsibility is to operate the vehicle with reasonable care. It is the legal obligation of manufacturers, designers and sellers to ensure their products are safe.
If you or someone you love is a victim of an accident caused by a defective product, call our firm at 515-644-4871 or 402-979-8675 or contact us online. Your initial consultation is free.