As a consumer, you place a great deal of trust in auto manufacturers when purchasing a vehicle. However, despite extensive testing and quality control measures, defects in vehicle design and manufacturing can and do occur. When they result in car accidents, complex legal questions arise regarding liability. Who bears responsibility when a defect causes or contributes to a crash – the driver, the automaker, or both? In your analysis, you’ll examine high-profile auto defect cases, the legal standards for demonstrating liability, and how automakers work to identify and resolve safety issues before they lead to accidents on the road. Gaining insight into these issues will equip you to make informed decisions as a consumer and assess accident liability issues as they continue to evolve.
Common Car Defects That Can Lead to Accidents
Faulty Braking Systems
Malfunctioning brakes are one of the most dangerous defects and a leading cause of car accidents. Issues like worn-down brake pads, leaking brake fluid, or brake pedals that stick, vibrate or squeak can severely impact a vehicle’s ability to stop safely. Regular brake inspections and immediate repair of any issues are critical.
Defective Tires
Faulty or worn out tires negatively affect a vehicle’s handling, stability, and ability to stop quickly. Tires with insufficient tread depth, damage, or mismatched sizes can increase the risk of hydroplaning, blowouts or rollovers. It is important that all tires match the vehicle’s recommendations and are properly inflated for maximum performance and safety.
Unrepaired Recalls
Recalls address known safety issues, yet many vehicle owners do not get the necessary repairs done. Unrepaired recalls like faulty ignition switches, malfunctioning airbags, or other critical component failures can have catastrophic consequences. Owners should check regularly for any outstanding recalls on their vehicles and schedule repairs immediately.
Impaired Visibility
Issues like non-functioning headlights, taillights, turn signals, or windshield wipers and washers severely reduce visibility and endanger the vehicle’s operator as well as other motorists and pedestrians. Any components affecting visibility should be inspected regularly and repaired or replaced promptly when problems are detected.
Loose or Detached Components
Parts that are unsecured or falling off a vehicle can pose risks to the vehicle’s handling and stability as well as become road hazards for other traffic. Anything from missing hubcaps to detached bumpers or trim pieces should be re-secured or repaired quickly to avoid potential accidents. Regular inspections and maintenance help identify these issues early.
Proving Liability for Accidents Caused by Vehicle Defects
To prove liability in accidents caused by vehicle defects, you must show that the defect existed before the sale of the vehicle and that the defect caused or contributed to the accident in question.
Establishing the Defect Existed Before Sale
You will need to obtain records from the vehicle manufacturer showing when the specific component was designed and installed in vehicles. If the defect was the result of a manufacturing issue, there may be service bulletins or recall notices that can establish the defect was present at the time of sale. You may also need to have an expert examine the vehicle to determine when the defective part failed.
Proving the Defect Caused or Contributed to the Accident
You must show that the accident would not have occurred or would have been less severe if the defect was not present. Accident reconstruction experts can analyze the damage to the vehicle and run simulations to determine the role the defect played. They can also rule out other potential causes for the accident, such as driver error or poor weather conditions.
Witness statements from passengers, emergency responders and bystanders may provide evidence the defect caused a loss of control or other unsafe driving condition. Photographs or video of the accident scene can also show how the defect led to the collision or rollover.
The discovery process may reveal documents from the manufacturer acknowledging the hazard posed by the defect. Internal communications discussing potential liability and costs associated with the defect can demonstrate the company knew of the risks.
While difficult, proving a vehicle defect caused an accident is possible through diligent investigation and the use of experts. By establishing exactly when the defect arose and how it led to the incident, you can hold manufacturers accountable for producing unsafe vehicles. Careful case-building with supporting evidence is key to overcoming defenses that try to blame other factors and show the company is not liable.
The Role of Expert Witnesses in Defective Product Liability Cases
Expert witnesses play an integral role in defective product liability cases. Their testimony helps establish whether the product was unreasonably dangerous due to a design or manufacturing defect.
Qualified Experts
Expert witnesses must have specialized knowledge, training, education, skills, or experience in the relevant field that qualifies them to give an expert opinion. For product liability cases, experts are typically engineers, scientists or medical professionals. The key is that the expert’s background matches the technical issues in the case.
Causation Analysis
A qualified expert can analyze the alleged product defect and determine whether it caused the plaintiff’s injuries. The expert may examine the failed product and review its design, testing, and manufacturing specifications. They can then offer opinions on safer alternative designs that may have prevented the failure. Their analysis aims to prove that the defect caused the accident and subsequent harm.
Industry Standards
Experts are also familiar with the standards and customs in the relevant industry. They can testify as to whether the manufacturer failed to meet generally accepted standards and practices. If evidence shows the manufacturer ignored or deviated from industry norms in designing, testing or building the product, it helps establish their liability.
In summary, expert witnesses are instrumental in product liability litigation. Their specialized knowledge and objective analyzes are crucial for determining defectiveness and causation. When credible experts present persuasive testimony, it can be highly influential in establishing liability and securing a favorable verdict or settlement.
Compiling Evidence to Demonstrate Defective Design or Manufacture
Examining the Vehicle’s Design Specifications
To build a case demonstrating a defective design, obtain the vehicle’s original design specifications and engineering drawings. Compare these to the actual vehicle components to determine if there are any deviations that could have contributed to the accident. For example, if a brake system was specified to use steel brake lines but cheaper aluminum lines were actually installed, resulting in brake line failure, this would indicate a design defect.
Inspecting the Failed or Malfunctioning Components
A forensic inspection of the specific vehicle components alleged to have failed or malfunctioned can provide critical evidence of a design or manufacturing defect. Metallurgical testing of failed parts can detect imperfections, impurities or irregularities introduced during the manufacturing process. For instance, if a tie rod end that snapped in a crash was found to have inadequate hardness from improper heat treatment, it points to a manufacturing defect.
Reviewing Similar Incidents and Recalls
Check if the vehicle make, model and year in question have been subject to recalls for similar failures or if there are documented incidents of comparable malfunctions in other vehicles. A pattern of component failures across multiple vehicles is indicative of an inherent design or manufacturing flaw. For example, if an engine mount prone to cracking at high mileage has been recalled in the same vehicle, it suggests the original mount design was defective.
Consulting Expert Witnesses
Automotive design and manufacturing experts can evaluate the evidence collected and provide an opinion on whether or not the vehicle was defective. They can also testify to how a design or manufacturing flaw directly contributed to the accident in question. Expert witnesses who can authoritatively opine on the root cause of the failure will strengthen your case. Their analysis and conclusions are compelling evidence for proving defective design or manufacture.
In summary, a comprehensive investigation into the vehicle’s specifications, the failed parts, recall histories, and documented incidents—combined with expert opinions—provides the evidence necessary to demonstrate a defective design or manufacturing flaw. Methodically compiling this evidence will build a solid case for liability due to a vehicle defect.
Why You Need an Experienced Texas Car Accident Lawyer if Injured Due to a Defect
When injured in a car accident due to a manufacturing or design defect, you will require the expertise of an experienced car accident lawyer to determine liability and pursue compensation. Defective automotive parts or faulty engineering can be complicated to prove, often requiring expert analysis and testimony.
Establishing Liability
To hold the automaker accountable, your lawyer must establish that the defect caused or contributed to the accident and resulting injuries. They will review repair and maintenance records to confirm the defect was not due to improper servicing. The lawyer may consult with automotive experts to examine the vehicle and analyze how the defect led to the collision.
Filing a Lawsuit
If sufficient evidence points to a defect, your lawyer can file a product liability lawsuit against the automaker and possibly component part suppliers. Lawsuits must be filed within the statute of limitations to preserve your right to recovery. The litigation process can be lengthy and complex, especially when large corporations are involved.
Settlement Negotiations
An experienced lawyer understands how to effectively negotiate with large automakers to obtain fair compensation for your injuries and other losses. While the automaker’s legal team will try to settle for as little as possible, your lawyer will fight to maximize the settlement or verdict amount. They can determine appropriate amounts for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, and other costs.
Trial Experience
If pre-trial negotiations fail, the case may proceed to court. Your lawyer should have significant trial experience in handling product liability and personal injury lawsuits. They can develop a persuasive case to present before a judge and jury, including calling upon expert witnesses to support the claim that the defect directly caused the collision and resulting harm. With an experienced lawyer, you have the best chance of succeeding at trial and gaining the compensation you deserve.
When a vehicle defect has caused a serious accident, you need a skilled lawyer to stand up to large automakers and pursue maximum compensation. An experienced Texas car accident lawyer has the knowledge and resources to establish liability, negotiate fair settlements, and win at trial if necessary. They can handle the legal complexities so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
Conclusion
As we have seen, analyzing the impact of car defects on accident liability is a complex issue with no easy answers. While manufacturers must meet certain safety standards, even small defects can greatly increase accident risk. Drivers also have a duty to properly maintain their vehicles and operate them safely. When accidents do occur, liability depends on many factors. Understanding these dynamics and taking legal help from an experienced attorney from lawyers at Fletcher Law allows us to make informed choices as consumers, hold companies accountable, and drive positive change. Though daunting, grappling with these issues brings us one step closer to a just system that balances corporate, government and individual responsibilities for auto safety. We all have a role to play in this ongoing process.