Licensed attorney since 2007. Licensed to practice law in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Washington D.C.
Car Defect Law
Car Defect Lawyers In Alabama
Birmingham Car Defect Attorneys
Fighting for Justice Across Alabama & Georgia
If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by a defect in your car, you may be wondering what your legal options are. You may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer of the car, or you may be able to file a claim against the party responsible for designing or manufacturing the defective part. It can be difficult to determine who is at fault when an accident is caused by a car defect. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you investigate the cause of the accident and determine who may be liable.
We have represented many clients who have been injured in accidents caused by car defects. We have a successful track record of holding liable parties accountable and obtaining compensation for our clients. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident caused by a car defect, contact us today to learn more about your legal options.
What Is A Motor Vehicle Defect?
A motor vehicle defect is any problem with a car that makes it unsafe to drive. Defects can occur in any part of the car, including the engine, brakes, tires, or steering.
The two (2) most common types of defects are design defects and manufacturing defects:
Design Defects
A design defect is a problem with the car’s design that makes it unsafe to drive. Design defects occur when the car is designed in a way that makes it more likely to cause an accident or injury.
For example, if a car is designed with faulty brakes, it may be more likely to get into an accident. Or, if a car is designed with faulty tires, it may be more likely to experience a blowout.
Manufacturing Defects
A manufacturing defect is a problem that occurs during the manufacturing process. Manufacturing defects occur when a car is not assembled correctly, or when parts are not made to the correct specifications.
For example, if a car manufacturer does not properly weld a car’s frame, the frame may be defective. If a seatbelt is not made to the correct specifications, it may break in a collision, causing serious injuries or even death.
Types Of Motor Vehicle Defects In Defective Vehicle Cases
There are many different types of vehicle defects, and each one can lead to different kinds of accidents.
Some of the most common types of vehicle defects that our lawyers handle include:
1) Tire Defects / Defective Tires
Rollovers are frequently caused by tire failures or blowouts. In recent years, several of the country’s major tire manufacturers, such as Firestone and Cooper Tires, have been linked to design flaws and low production quality, resulting in poor tread adhesion.
Tire tread separation is one of the most prevalent causes of tire failure, and it’s due to the poor tread design. The tread on a tire is supposed to grip the road, but when it separates from the rest of the tire, it can cause the driver to lose control.
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a defective tire, our lawyers can help you pursue a claim against the manufacturer.
2) Defective Airbags
Airbags are designed to deploy in a collision and protect the occupants of a car from serious injuries. However, defective airbags have been known to cause serious injuries or even death.
There are many different types of airbag defects, but one of the most common is known as “untimely deployment.” This occurs when the airbag deploys too late or does not deploy at all.
Other common defects include defective sensors, which can cause the airbag to deploy unnecessarily; and defective inflators, which can cause the airbag to deploy with too much force.
3) Fuel System Defects
Fuel system defects can cause fires and explosions in a collision. In recent years, there have been several recalls of vehicles with defective fuel systems.
A fuel system defect can occur in any part of the system, from the gas tank to the fuel line. Tanks are often installed with incorrect orientation, putting the entire tank system at risk of impact in the event of a collision.
Welding failures are also common in fuel tanks, which often lack safety devices to prevent gas flow in the event of an accident. Vehicle fires and explosions happen on American roads even though they are preventable.
4) Car & SUV Roof Collapse
Roof collapse is one of the leading causes of serious injuries and death in rollover accidents. In a rollover accident, the weight of the vehicle’s roof can crush the occupants, causing life-threatening injuries.
SUVs are particularly susceptible to roof collapse because of their taller design. Many SUVs on the market today have roofs that are not strong enough to withstand the force of a rollover.
As a result, SUV roofs often collapse in rollover accidents, causing serious injuries or death to the occupants. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident caused by a defective roof, we can assist you in filing a claim against the manufacturer.
5) Brake failures
Brake failures are one of the most common causes of accidents. When brakes fail, it can be very difficult for a driver to stop the car.
Brake failures can occur for a variety of reasons, including defective brake pads, worn-out brake rotors, and leaks in the brake fluid line.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident caused by an auto brake problem, our attorneys can help you investigate the cause of the failure and file a claim against the manufacturer.
6) Seatbelt Defects
Seatbelts are designed to protect occupants in the event of a collision. However, seatbelts can be defective and cause serious injuries or even death.
There are many different types of seatbelt defects, but one of the most common is known as “untimely release.” This occurs when the seatbelt releases during a collision, before the occupants have come to a stop. As a result, the occupants are ejected from the vehicle and often sustain serious injuries.
Other common seatbelt defects include webbing that tears or frays, buckles that break or fail to latch, and retractors that fail to lock. If you have been hurt in a vehicle accident as the result of a faulty seatbelt, you may be able to seek compensation from the manufacturer.
7) Ignition Defects & Loss of Power
Ignition defects can cause a loss of power steering, making it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle. In some cases, the defect can also cause the engine to stall, which can lead to a loss of power brakes and an increased risk of accidents.
Defective ignitions have been linked to several high-profile accidents, including the General Motors ignition switch recall. If you or a loved one has been hurt as a result of an ignition defect, you might be able to obtain compensation from the manufacturer.
We understand the complex laws and regulations that apply to these cases, and we know how to build a strong claim on your behalf. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident caused by a defective vehicle, we can help.
Potentially Liable Parties for Auto Defects
The following are some of the parties that may be held liable for injuries caused by auto defects:
1) The Manufacturer
Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that their products are not too dangerous to use under typical usage conditions, whether due to a design, production, or information flaw.
When companies fail to take appropriate measures, they may be held liable for serious injuries and wrongful death caused by their products.
The following are some examples of cases in which a manufacturer may be held liable:
- A company designs a car that is structurally unstable and prone to rollover accidents.
- Produces a car with defective brakes.
- A company fails to warn consumers about a known safety defect in its vehicles.
2) Wholesalers and shippers
Wholesalers and shippers may be held liable for injuries caused by defective products if they knew or should have known about the defect and failed to take appropriate action.
For example, a wholesaler might be held liable if it continued to sell a product after being notified by the manufacturer of a safety defect. Similarly, a shipper might be held liable if it failed to properly inspect a product before shipping it.
3) Car dealerships
The most obvious party to hold accountable for a vehicle defect is the car dealership from which you purchased the car. If the dealership sold you a car with a known defect, they can be held liable.
In order to prove that the dealership knew about the defect, you will need to show that they were aware of complaints about the same issue with that particular make and model of car.
You will also need to show that the dealership had a duty to fix the defect before selling the car to you. Proving that the dealership breached its duty can be difficult, so it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side.
4) Auto parts retailers
All retailers have a duty to sell products that are safe for their intended use. This duty applies to auto parts retailers, who may be held liable if they sell a defective part that causes an accident.
To hold the retailer liable, you will need to show that they knew or should have known about the defect and sold the product anyway. You will also need to show that the defect was a substantial factor in causing your accident.
Contact Our Alabama Car Defect Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a defective vehicle, contact the experienced car defect lawyers at our firm today. We will provide free consultation and help you understand your legal options. Our car defect attorneys have significant experience handling these complex cases, and we have the resources to take on big corporations. We will fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Contact a qualified Birmingham car defect attorney today at Bodewell Injury Group for help!