Product Liability: A Closer Look at Defective Car and Auto Parts Claims

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) each year over 2 million people are injured in car accidents. While the majority of these crashes can be attributed to human error, defective vehicles and auto parts also play a key role in car accident related injuries. Here, the product liability attorneys at the Law Offices of Peter Angelos explore the nature of product liability claims in relation to defective cars and car parts.

There are many types of product liability claims involving motor vehicles. The two most common involve defectively manufactured vehicles or parts, and vehicles with an unreasonably dangerous design.

Defectively Manufactured Vehicles or Vehicle Parts

When filling a claim that involves defectively manufactured vehicles or parts, it is important to keep in mind that this type of claim centers around the possibility of a manufacturer error. The error may have taken place at the manufacturing facility, shipping facility, at the dealership or anywhere else in the distribution chain.

All participants in the chain of distribution can be potential defendants in a product liability case for a defectively manufactured vehicle or part. However, in order to prove your case, you will need to determine where the negligence or wrongdoing was committed within the manufacturing and distribution process.

Unreasonably Dangerous Design

At times, vehicles or parts that have been manufactured properly may have an unreasonably dangerous design. In turn, this design has created a liability from the inception of the vehicle or part, and is the cause of any injuries or suffering sustained. Claims involving unreasonable dangerous designs typically involve automobile parts that have been on the market for a significant amount of time before the dangers have been discovered and a recall has been issued. Thus, the defective parts or vehicles have a propensity to affect thousands of drivers, as the product remained in distribution for an extended period of time.

Strict Products liability and Class Action Lawsuits

Many states have adopted strict products liability law as related to automobile defect claims. Unlike personal injury claims where one must prove negligence in their claim, strict products liability eases the burden on the consumer, who would otherwise have to prove that the manufacturer or supplier of the defective car or parts were not sufficiently careful during this process. All the consumer is asked for is to show that the car or part was defective and was the cause of their specific injury or damages.

Oftentimes, the vehicle or parts cited in a product liability claim will have been mass produced and the claim will apply to a significant number of consumers. The people affected may then join to file a class action lawsuit, as such an action has benefits. In many cases, the lawyers involved in the existing class action will represent the entirety of plaintiffs involved in the suit or work with a plaintiff’s existing attorney. Additionally, there is usually little to no upfront cost for class members.

Filing a Claim

The legal and mechanical aspects of a defective vehicle or parts claim can be complex. An experienced legal advisor and advocate can be your greatest asset should you chose to file a product liability claim after an accident. The product liability attorneys at the Law Offices of Peter Angelos have a wealth of experience in product liability lawsuits, having represented many clients against large corporations who acted negligently. Our skilled attorneys have proven time and time again that we fight for our clients, and we are committed to doing the same for you. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to a defective vehicle or defective vehicle part contact us today!