Can a Car Manufacturer Be Liable for a Collision?

Consumers depend on automobile manufacturers to produce safe and reliable vehicles. When vehicles fail to meet safety standards, accidents can occur.

If you were injured in a collision caused by a manufacturing defect, request a free consultation with a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer to learn what legal options may exist to pursue compensation.

When a Car Is Considered Defective

For a car or car part to be considered defective, it must not be able to work in the way that it is intended to work. There are three primary categories a vehicle defect may fall under:

• A defect of design, which means the product’s design is inherently dangerous for the intended use.
• A defect of manufacturing, in which the design is safe but a defect that arose from its manufacture made it unsafe. This defect may be due to the materials used or an issue in the manufacturing process.
• A failure to warn or labeling defects. While the design and manufacture of the product may be safe, the manufacturer has a duty to warn consumers if there are inherent dangers when using the product for its intended purpose.

Common Defective Car Parts

Defects can occur throughout a vehicle, but some common defects include:

• Airbags do not deploy during an accident
• Airbags deploy when they are not supposed to
• Airbag deployment too fast or too forceful
• Seatbelts release in a collision
• Seatback breaks in a collision
• Collapsed roof in rollover collision
• Defective electrical system causes fire
• Unintended acceleration due to computer defect
• Brakes fail
• Power steering system fails
• Tires rupture
• Tires fail
• Fuel system malfunctions
• Defective wiring

Proving the Car Manufacturer Is Liable

Florida law allows victims to pursue product liability claims when injured by a defective product. For such a claim to be successful, you must be able to prove the manufacturer’s liability, which involves these four elements:

• A defect existed in either design, manufacture or labeling
• The victim sustained an injury as he or she used the product in the intended manner
• The victim’s injury was caused by the defective product
• The victim suffered damages due to his or her injury

Evidence is needed to support claims of a defective product. This evidence may include:

• Accident reports
• Witness statements
• Instructions, warranties and/or warnings for the vehicle
• Testimony from claims involving similar defects
• Medical records

Call Our Firm if You Have Been Harmed

If you were injured in a car accident as the result of negligence, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our firm works hard to hold negligent manufacturers accountable and recover maximum compensation for our clients.

Request a free, no-obligation consultation to learn if you may have a claim for compensation. We charge no upfront fees and you only pay us if we recover compensation for you.

Call Gordon & Partners today at 1 (855) 722-2552.