Auto Accident

Car Accidents & Defective Auto Parts

When a driver, passenger or pedestrian is injured in a car accident, liability can rest on the vehicle's manufacturer or seller if the car or one of its parts is defective. Many faulty car part claims stem from:

• Defective brakes
• Engine malfunction
• Exploding airbags

Car accident claims stemming from auto defects typically do not have to prove that the liable party was careless. Rather, these auto accident claims simply have to demonstrate the following:

• The defective car or part was "unreasonably dangerous"
• The vehicle was being operated as intended
• Vehicle performance had not been changed since the initial purchase

If you or a loved one was injured in a car collision caused by a defective auto part, fill out our free case review form. A car accident lawyer will evaluate your claim, at no cost to you, to determine your eligibility for an auto accident lawsuit.

Defense in Defective Auto Part Claims

An auto manufacturer and/or seller can build a strong defense to an auto defect claim if they can prove that the consumer owned the vehicle for a substantial period of time and that he or she was aware of the car defect but continued to use the vehicle. The manufacturer or seller can establish this by examining the vehicle's condition and the plaintiff's description of vehicle use. In certain states, the defendant can challenge a claim by proving that the car accident victim's actions contributed to the auto accident.

Punitive Damages in Car Defect Lawsuits

Successful auto accident lawsuits stemming from defective auto parts may award punitive damages to the injured victim. Rather than compensate the victim for their car accident injuries, punitive damages are designed to punish the car manufacturer and encourage them to fix their defective vehicles. In general, auto makers utilize a "cost-benefit" analysis when deciding whether to fix a potentially dangerous vehicle design. In this analysis, the car manufacturer will evaluate the cost of implementing a design change, and compare this expense against the potential cost of litigation stemming from the faulty part. Courts often award punitive damages to increase the potential litigation costs an auto maker can face when choosing to not alter a vehicle's design, therefore making the benefit of repairing defects more cost effective.

Car Wreck Lawyers

Our auto accident attorneys believe that car manufacturers and sellers have a duty to ensure its vehicles and parts are safe for public use. When an automotive manufacturers fails to properly design, assemble or test a car before releasing it into the market, they can be held liable for any resulting injuries. If you were hurt in a car accident stemming from a defective auto design or component, such as a faulty airbag, our car accident lawyers have the experience needed to help you recover compensation for your auto accident injuries. We have obtained substantial accident compensation for our clients in product liability claims stemming from defective car parts and other consumer products. For a free case review with an auto accident attorney, contact us today.