Motor Vehicle Defects

Last updated July 2, 2024

We rely on our cars to get us from one place to another safely. Car owners shouldn’t have to drive around not knowing if their car has defective parts that could put them in danger. Unfortunately, many motor vehicle defects are not disclosed until after they cause a car accident.

Car manufacturers have a duty to make their cars safe and comply with vehicle safety standards. When auto parts makers cut corners, it could increase the risk of an accident for you and your loved ones. A product liability lawsuit can help injury victims get money for their medical bills and damages.

If you were injured by a defective car part, look for a local product liability attorney who can tell you more about product liability claims and how much you can get for your injuries.

What Are Motor Vehicle Defects?

A defect is a problem with the way the vehicle or vehicle part was designed or manufactured. There are thousands of parts that make up motor vehicles, coming from different factories all over the world. If any one of those parts manufacturers has a defective part, it could make the entire vehicle unsafe for normal use.

In a product liability case, there are generally three types of product defects:

  • Design defect: A problem with the way the part was designed, which could include a driver’s side floor mat that is too big and catches on the brake or gas pedal. In some cases, an expert can show there was a design defect by showing there was a safer alternative design.
  • Manufacturing defect: Something went wrong in the way the part was made, which could include using cheaper materials in the manufacturing process or not inspecting the parts properly to ensure quality control.
  • Warning defect: The automotive manufacturer didn’t warn consumers about the unexpected risks of using the product.

Over the years, there have been many different types of auto defects that caused serious injury accidents and fatalities. Examples of different defective vehicle parts include:

  • Defective seat belts
  • Defective airbags
  • Braking system problems
  • Defective tires
  • Fuel system defect
  • Motorcycle defects
  • Electrical defects
  • Seat recline defects
  • Steering system problems

For example, more than 60 million vehicles were recalled over the past decade because of Takata airbags that had the potential to explode and cause injuries and accidents.

Dangerous Vehicle Recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues motor vehiclesafety standards. Vehicle manufacturers have to recall their vehicles when there are defective auto parts. In 2022, the NHTSA reported 932 safety recalls affecting more than 30.8 million vehicles.

Unfortunately, some auto manufacturers know about safety problems but don’t issue recalls. It is only after drivers report accidents to the NHTSA that manufacturers may conduct an automotive recall. If you want to know if your vehicle is part of a safety alert or recall, you can check the NHTSA’s recall website.

Can I File a Lawsuit After a Defective Vehicle Injury?

If you were injured because of a defective vehicle part, you can file a product liability claim for damages. In a product defect lawsuit, you don’t have to show that any one person was responsible. Instead, the car part manufacturer is liable because they put an unsafe product out on the market. In a product liability case for a defective product, you could file your claim against the dealership, the vehicle maker, or the vehicle part manufacturer for damages.

Damages in an auto accident case can include money for your medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering. If a family member was fatally injured in a defective vehicle part accident, you could seek compensation to pay for loss of support, funeral expenses, and burial costs.

It can seem difficult to take on the auto industry, but a personal injury attorney can help you through the process. Find a legal team with experience handling defective vehicle lawsuit cases like yours to understand your legal options.

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