Defective Auto Parts and Car Accidents: When Can You Sue the Manufacturer?
When a car accident occurs due to defective auto parts, it can be devastating both physically and financially. In many cases, the cause of the accident may be linked to a flaw or malfunction in one or more components of the vehicle, such as faulty brakes, airbags, or tires.
This raises an important legal question: When can you sue the manufacturer of the defective part? Understanding the circumstances under which a car manufacturer or auto part supplier can be held liable for a car accident is crucial for victims seeking compensation for their injuries and damages.
With our personal injury attorney at Mook Law Firm LLC in Kansas City, Missouri, we know that car accidents can be life-changing, especially when they result from defective auto parts. Here, we’ll explain how defective auto parts can contribute to accidents, when you can take legal action, and what you should know about holding manufacturers accountable.
What Is a Defective Auto Part?
Before diving into the legal process, it’s important to first define what constitutes a defective auto part. In simple terms, a defective auto part is any component in a vehicle that is faulty or doesn’t perform as intended.
This could involve design flaws, manufacturing errors, or a failure in quality control. Defective parts can cause malfunctions in a vehicle, leading to accidents, injuries, or even fatalities. Some types of defects in auto parts include:
Design defects: A design defect occurs when the original design of an auto part is flawed, causing it to be unsafe. For example, a defective brake system design could cause failure when the vehicle is in use.
Manufacturing defects: These defects arise during the production process and affect only certain units of a vehicle model. If a particular batch of brake pads is manufactured incorrectly, it can lead to accidents.
Failure to warn defects: When a manufacturer fails to adequately inform consumers of potential dangers associated with a part, it can result in a failure to warn defect. For instance, if a manufacturer doesn’t notify the public about potential problems with airbags, the risk of injury increases.
The type of defect can influence your case and the approach to holding the manufacturer liable.
How Do Defective Auto Parts Contribute to Accidents?
When an auto part malfunctions, the consequences can be severe, especially if the issue causes the vehicle to become uncontrollable. Defective auto parts can lead to a range of accidents, from minor collisions to fatal crashes. Understanding how these defects contribute to accidents is key to building a strong personal injury case.
Some of the most common accidents caused by defective auto parts include:
Brake failure: If the brakes fail due to a manufacturing defect or poor design, the driver may be unable to stop in time, resulting in a collision.
Tire blowouts: Defective tires can cause blowouts at high speeds, leading to loss of control and accidents.
Airbag malfunctions: If airbags fail to deploy properly during a crash, it can lead to serious injuries or even death.
Steering issues: Defects in the steering system can make it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle, leading to crashes.
Accelerator issues: A malfunctioning accelerator can cause a vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably, potentially leading to high-speed collisions.
If a defective auto part is determined to be the cause of the accident, the manufacturer or the responsible party may be held accountable for the damages.
When Can You Sue the Manufacturer?
If a defective auto part played a role in your car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. However, there are specific circumstances that must be met before you can successfully sue the manufacturer:
Proof of defect: You must show that the part in question was defective. This could be demonstrated through expert testimony, accident reports, or similar cases where the same defect caused accidents.
Causation: You need to prove that the defective part directly caused the accident or worsened the severity of the crash. This is often the most challenging aspect of a lawsuit, but accident reconstructionists and professionals can provide essential evidence.
Product liability: Most car accidents caused by defective parts fall under product liability law, which holds manufacturers accountable for unsafe products. If the part in question was installed in your vehicle, and it was defective at the time of the accident, you could pursue a product liability claim.
If you're able to prove any of the above circumstances, there are three different types of legal claims you can file:
Strict liability: Under strict liability, you don’t need to prove that the manufacturer was negligent. You simply need to show that the product was defective and that it caused harm.
Negligence: If the manufacturer fails to uphold safety standards or neglects proper testing, you can file a negligence claim. This requires proof that the manufacturer’s carelessness led to the defect.
Breach of warranty: If the manufacturer or seller didn’t honor their warranty and sold a defective product, you might have grounds for a breach of warranty claim.
Each type of claim has specific requirements, and your personal injury lawyer will help determine which one best applies to your case.
Proving Liability in Defective Auto Part Cases
To win a personal injury case involving defective auto parts, you must prove that the manufacturer was responsible for the defect and that it caused your injuries. This process can be detailed, but it's crucial to your success. Here’s what you need to prove:
Documenting the defect: First, you must identify the defective part. This could involve gathering the vehicle’s maintenance records, accident reports, and professional opinions.
Establishing causation: You need to show that the defect directly caused the accident. Expert testimony, such as from an accident reconstructionist, can help demonstrate this link.
Gathering evidence of injury: You must also present evidence of the injuries you sustained due to the accident. Medical records, witness testimony, and expert evaluations are all important here.
The more evidence you can gather, the stronger your case will be when pursuing legal action against the manufacturer.
Common Defective Auto Parts Involved in Accidents
Certain auto parts are more prone to defects than others, and understanding which parts are commonly involved in accidents can help strengthen your case. Common defective parts include:
Brakes: Malfunctions in the braking system are one of the most common causes of car accidents due to defective parts. Faulty brake pads or a malfunctioning master cylinder can prevent proper braking.
Tires: Defective tires can lead to blowouts, loss of control, and crashes. Poor manufacturing or design flaws can make tires prone to failure.
Airbags: Defective airbags that fail to deploy, deploy too early, or deploy with excessive force can cause serious injury or death.
Fuel systems: Defects in the fuel system, such as faulty fuel lines or fuel pumps, can lead to fires or explosions after an accident.
Power steering: Defective power steering can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, especially at higher speeds or when making sudden turns.
If your accident involved one of these parts, it may be easier to prove that a defective auto part was the cause of your injuries.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you’ve been involved in a car accident caused by a defective auto part, we at the Mook Law Firm LLC are here to help you seek justice. We are located in Kansas City, Missouri, and serve clients in surrounding areas.
Our experienced personal injury attorney can assess your case and guide you through the legal process to help you seek compensation. Contact us today for a consultation.