Defective vehicles are a hidden danger that can cause accidents and injuries to even the most careful drivers. Some defective vehicles are recalled, but many are not, and defects are often discovered only after they have caused many injuries and deaths. If you suspect that a defect may have caused your accident, or that your injuries were made worse by a crashworthiness defect, talk to an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney right away.
Defects
Defects can cause accidents, or they can cause injuries to be worse in accidents with other causes. Some, such as faulty airbags, can do both. And rare defects can cause tragedies such as fires and carbon monoxide poisoning when the vehicle isn’t in use. Examples of defects that cause accidents include:
- Defective steering system
- Ignition switch defects
- Defects causing spontaneous acceleration
- Defective tires
- Defective brakes
- Faulty sensors
- Suspension defects
- Defective electronic stability control (ESC)
- Defective design leading to rollover
- Electrical system defects
- Fuel system defects
- Airbags that deploy when there is no accident
Crashworthiness defects are the defects that cause injuries to be worse when accidents occur. Examples include:
- Collapsing seat backs
- Poor roof crush resistance
- Defective airbags
- Defective seatbelts
- Faulty window glazing
- Defective headrests
- Fuels system defects which can cause fuel-fed fires and explosions
Liability for Defective Vehicle Injuries
Defective vehicle accidents require thorough investigation. Very often, a defective vehicle case starts out as a regular car crash case and only with in-depth investigation is it discovered that a malfunction, not driver error, caused the accident. Depending on the unique fact in your case one or more of the following may be held liable for your defective vehicle injuries:
- Auto manufacturer
- Parts manufacturer
- New or used auto dealership
- Rental company
- Parts seller
- Repair shop
- Others along the supply chain
Defective vehicle cases are complex and can pit you against large corporations such as auto manufacturers. You need the help of an experienced and highly skilled attorney to win the compensation that you deserve. If you have been injured in a New Hampshire or Vermont defective vehicle accident, call the Cole Law Office at (800) 909-LAWS (5297) or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.