Watch Out for Defective Car Parts

Not all car accidents are caused by negligent drivers and their conduct on the road. Occasionally, accidents are caused by malfunctions in a car’s equipment or parts, which fail to work as they are supposed to or injure the occupants of the car even when functioning according to design.

Reports of exploding airbags, failing car brakes, and of cars accelerating on their own are enough to worry drivers that there may be something wrong with their own cars. In most defective car cases where the driver has not made any significant modifications to their car, it is likely that the car or parts manufacturers and others within the chain of distribution will be found liable for any injuries, death, and property damage from a car accident attributable to the defective parts. However, this is sometimes not comforting because of the catastrophic nature of the injuries that may be caused in an accident. Most drivers may want to take steps to avoid the accidents altogether.

There are some steps that a driver can take to mitigate some of the risk of driving a car with defective parts. One main thing is to pay attention to recall notices and other warnings from the manufacturer and the government safety groups. If a car part is recalled, it is important to follow any available instructions from the manufacturer regarding fixing the problem, and avoid driving the car until the issue is resolved. Drivers can also proactively check for recalls on their car make and model because not all recalls make the news.

If a defect is detected before a recall is issued, a car owner may still be able to have the car serviced and the problem fixed. There may be warning signs before a car part malfunctions, for example, smoke coming from an unusual part of the car, strange odors, or if the car’s performance suddenly changes. If the car’s warranty still covers repairs, a car owner may be able to have his car fixed without losing any money. However, if the car is no longer covered by a manufacturer’s or dealer’s warranty, the owner may have to pay for it out of pocket and seek reimbursement later. Drivers should keep in mind that not all defective products may be detectable because in the case of a design defect, the car’s part malfunctions even when working as the manufacturer intended.

Car accidents or personal injury cases involving defective car parts are handled differently from other accident cases. If you are considering a lawsuit against a car manufacturer for injuries caused by defective parts, it is best to have a personal injury attorney with experience dealing with similar cases handling your case. For a free consultation, contact a California product liability attorney from Corsiglia, McMahon & Allard, L.L.P., in Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, Monterey County, Alameda County, San Benito County, and the Bay Area.

• Takata Recall for Honda Owners
• Keeping You Safe