Were you or a loved one injured or killed in a car accident that wasn’t your fault? Car manufacturers can sometimes be held accountable for vehicle accidents. These accidents often stem from known and unknown defects in the manufacturing process, which the manufacturer had a duty to prevent or warn about.
If you think a defect caused your accident, consult a Houston car defect injury lawyer. Our respected product liability attorneys would be happy to look at your case and discuss your options.
What Is a Vehicle Defect?
Vehicle defects are often defined as safety issues resulting from design flaws or manufacturing errors. A defect can occur with any vehicle part if it compromises the safety of the driver, passengers, or nearby individuals. This includes structural issues, design flaws, or even a failure within safety parts, such as airbags or seatbelts.
What Are Common Vehicle Defects that Can Cause Accidents?
Various car issues can contribute to accidents, but not all can be traced solely to the vehicle manufacturer, as with accidents caused by defective tires. If the tires were installed by the vehicle or the tire manufacturer, this can be attributed to them. Other common defects that may contribute to accidents include:
- Roofs not having enough support and collapsing in rollover accidents
- A vehicle rolling over because of a high center of gravity, as is often the case with SUVs
- Airbag failure, whether deploying at the wrong time or inability to activate in an accident
- Door latch failures that allow an accident victim to fall out while driving or in an accident
- Fires from fuel line leaks or other situations within the electrical system
- Seatbelt issues that make them challenging to buckle or unbuckle, break, or have other defects
- Steering or brake component failures
After an accident, it is essential to determine the cause. If it appears preventable, you must look further to see if you can hold the manufacturer accountable. You can check if your vehicle is listed under any recall notices on some automakers’ websites or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The Legality of Car Defects
When someone purchases a vehicle, there is a reasonable assumption that the car has been safety tested and is reliable. In Texas, automobile manufacturers can be found liable for any safety issues they fail to address to minimize risks for all drivers of that vehicle. In addition, the Code of Federal Regulations 49 CFR 577.5 states that if there is an issue with a car that the manufacturer has been made aware of, they must notify the vehicle’s owners. This notice shall include “IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL” in capital letters at the top of the notification. This should be followed by:
- Manufacturer information
- VINs
- Description of the defect
- How to avoid injury
- An offer to remedy the issue without charge
Failure to do this after discovering an issue makes the manufacturer liable. However, it may take several accidents in some situations to establish a pattern that leads to a defect notification. This is why speaking with a Houston attorney is crucial if you suspect a defect caused your auto accident. A legal team can investigate the history of your vehicle type to see if other accidents were attributed to the same issues.
Contact a Houston Attorney for More Information on Car Defect Injuries
Unfortunately, there are many accidents that occur and only some can be attributed to a car defect. However, if you suspect that your car or truck had an issue that led to your accident or the loss of a loved one, we want you to call us to discuss your potential case.
We handle all types of product liability and personal injury law. Our Houston car defect injury lawyers can provide a free case evaluation, and we will look into your accident for possible compensation.
