How Do Defective Car Parts Cause Accidents?
While driver negligence remains a leading cause of road accidents in West Palm Beach and elsewhere, defective car parts also account for a significant number of crashes.
Vehicle manufacturers, designers, and dealers all have a duty to sell cars that are safe for driving or recall those that have an identified issue. Any deviation from the safety standards set by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) can cause a mechanical malfunction, resulting in minor or catastrophic accidents and injuries.
If this has happened to you, it’s possible to wonder, “How do defective car parts cause accidents?” You’ll also want to know how you can get compensated for an accident like this.
How Defective Car Parts Cause Road Accidents
Defective car parts that cause accidents usually have a fault either in the design, manufacturing, or marketing process because most product defects fall into these three general categories.
- Faulty Design: A minor design defect on a single car part can cause vehicle malfunction, even if it was manufactured properly. An example is when a seat belt’s design increases your chances of sustaining abdominal injuries.
- Defective Manufacturing: Even with the right design, a manufacturer may fail to assemble the parts correctly or use substandard materials. The Takata Airbag recall is an example of a car part manufacturing defect.
- Warning Defects: This happens when the manufacturer fails to provide usage instructions or warn consumers of the known risks associated with using a particular car part. An example is when a lighting system has a risk of overheating after prolonged use, but the manufacturer does not give a warning about this.
How to Recover Damages After a Defective Car Part Accident
If you were injured in an accident caused by a defective car part, you deserve to recover all damages from the negligent parties. However, it’s not always easy to identify the exact cause of the accident and which parties to sue. Insurance companies representing car manufacturers might also be adamant about offering a lowball settlement that does not cover all your losses.
Having a defective part car accident attorney by your side can improve your chances of recovering the full settlement amount because they will be negotiating with the insurer on your behalf.
They can also investigate to identify which party was negligent between the car part manufacturer, designer, marketer, or dealership.
Contact a Defective Part Car Accident Lawyer
When a defective car part causes an accident, you shouldn’t have to carry the burden of your injuries and other damages alone. A defective part car accident lawyer can help you hold the negligent parties accountable by fighting for your compensation.
Talk to The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo by calling 561-659-6366 or completing the online form below to get the help you deserve.