Most car accidents are caused by the actions of one or more drivers. However, some are due to automotive defects. These cases often involve complex engineering concepts and legal principles, making it difficult to identify the party responsible for your injuries.
At Oklahoma Injury Law Firm, our Oklahoma City vehicle defect and malfunction attorneys want to hold the responsible party accountable for the harm they’ve caused you. We can conduct a thorough investigation and work with expert witnesses to get to the bottom of your case. Contact us today to take advantage of a free case review.
What Is an Automotive Defect?
An automotive defect is an issue with a vehicle or its components that jeopardizes its safe operation. Automotive defects may involve issues that contribute to the crash, such as failing brakes or problems with safety features that fail to protect the vehicle occupants if a crash occurs, such as seatbelt problems.
Automotive defects are divided into three categories of product liability:
- Design defect: Design defects occur when the original design makes a product that is unreasonably dangerous.
- Manufacturing defect: Manufacturing defects occur when a problem during the manufacturing process results in one item or a batch of them deviating from the original design.
- Marketing defect: Marketing defects occur when a company fails to warn consumers of risks of using their product in the way it was intended to be used, rendering it unreasonably dangerous.
Common Types of Vehicle Defects That Cause Accidents
Automotive defects that can result in accidents and injuries can include:
- Defective brake systems: Defective brakes can fail when you need them most, leading to serious accidents that result in more severe injuries because the crash occurs at higher speeds.
- Defective tires: Blown tires can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and lead to accidents.
- Defective steering systems: A defective steering system can cause the vehicle to drift into another lane or alter the driver’s intended direction, leading to a collision with another driver.
- Defective ignition or accelerator: A faulty ignition switch or a sticking accelerator pedal can cause unintended acceleration, leading to a crash.
- Defective collision alert systems: If the system that drivers rely on to alert them of nearby vehicles fails, this can lead to a crash.
- Defective seatbelts: Defective seatbelts can fail to hold vehicle occupants in place during a crash, leading to ejection or being thrown about the vehicle.
- Defective airbags: Defective airbags can fail to deploy, deploy incorrectly, or cause the release of dangerous shrapnel during a crash, leading to serious injuries.
Who Is Liable for Injuries Caused by Auto Defects?
Various parties could potentially be responsible for a defect. The car or part manufacturer can be held liable because they are ultimately responsible for ensuring their product is safe to be used as intended. The dealership can be responsible for selling unsafe products. Repair shops can be liable if they use defective parts.
When a car crash occurs because of a defect, you may be able to hold the responsible party strictly liable for the damages you suffer, eliminating your need to show they were negligent.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our OKC Vehicle Defect and Malfunction Lawyers
When you’re confronting powerful companies and their massive legal teams, you need help from an experienced Oklahoma City law firm. Contact the Oklahoma Injury Law Firm for a free case review by calling (405) 310-8800.