An auto defect accident happens when a flaw in a car or its parts contributes to a crash or injury. Instead of the accident being only a driver’s fault, these accidents are connected to problems with how the vehicle was made, put together, or explained to consumers. Sometimes, even a careful driver can be put at risk because of hidden, unsafe defects in their vehicle.
In cases where a defect causes the injury or accident, there may be a product liability case where the injured party can obtain compensation from the carmakers, parts manufacturers, or even the dealers in some cases.
Contact a St. Louis accident attorney to pursue compensation for injuries sustained in your incident.
Call (314) 300-6260.
Common Types of Vehicle Defects
There are generally three types of vehicle defects that can come up in these cases:
Design Defects
A design defect means there was a problem with how the car (or a part of it) was originally designed, from the very beginning. Even if every single model is made precisely according to the company’s instructions, this kind of built-in flaw makes the vehicle unsafe for everyone.
Manufacturing Defects
These show up when something goes wrong on the factory floor. Even if the design was sound, handling during production, use of cheap materials, or assembly mistakes can all result in unsafe vehicles or parts reaching buyers.
Failure-to-Warn Defects
If car makers or suppliers didn’t properly warn people about genuine risks related to driving, maintenance, recalls, or usage, this can count as a defect and fall under product liability law. Drivers who aren’t given proper safety info may get hurt, even when doing everything right.
Understanding how these problems occur can help victims know who might truly be accountable when an unexpected injury results from an issue with the vehicle or a part of it.
Common Vehicle Defects That Cause Crashes
Many serious crashes happen not because of a driver’s decision, but because an important part of the vehicle fails. Some common situations can include:
- Brake failures
- Tire blowouts
- Defective airbags
- Steering problems
- Faulty electrical systems
- Software malfunctions
- Seat belt failures
These are just a few examples. If you’re injured because a part of your vehicle doesn’t work at all or works improperly, you may have a product liability claim.
Who Can Be Liable for an Auto Defect Accident?
When an auto defect leads to an accident, legal responsibility can fall on a few different parties. This most often includes one or more of the following:
Vehicle Manufacturers
Manufacturers can be held responsible for designing vehicles with flaws, making errors on the assembly line, or failing to conduct proper safety testing before cars are released.
Parts Manufacturers
Companies that create individual vehicle components, like airbags, tires, or steering systems, may be liable if their products turn out to be dangerously defective.
Dealerships
Car dealers may share in responsibility if they sell unsafe vehicles, withhold information about defects or recalls, or make misleading promises about safety.
Maintenance Providers
Auto repair shops or service centers might be partially at fault when their work fails to recognize or correct a vehicle defect, resulting in unsafe conditions on the road.
Distributors and Suppliers
Those who transport, store, or distribute parts and vehicles along the supply chain could be liable if the defect occurred while the product was in their possession.
Drivers and Others May Also Be Partially Liable
Even when a defect in a vehicle or part causes an accident, drivers themselves or other parties on the road can still share responsibility. If a driver was speeding, distracted, or ignored vehicle warning signs, their actions might be partially to blame, even if there was something wrong with the vehicle or a part. In some situations, another driver’s careless decision combines with a car defect to cause an accident, meaning fault is divided between them.
If you’ve been in an accident and need help figuring out who was at fault and where to go from here, our St. Louis injury attorneys can help.
Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.