Accidents Caused by Defective Car Parts
Charlotte Defective Auto Part Attorneys Representing Injured Clients
Aggressive auto product liability representation throughout North Carolina since 1992
When you purchase a car, whether new or used, you have a right to expect that the parts were properly designed and manufactured so as not to put your safety at risk. If those parts fail and cause a crash, then you also have a right to demand compensation from the responsible party.
At Warren & Kallianos, PLLC, our knowledgeable product liability lawyers have the skills and resources necessary to take on auto parts manufacturers and other large companies that put innocent drivers and passengers at risk. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a crash caused by a defective auto part, you need an experienced defective car part attorney who is well-equipped to take on the big corporations.
Common Types of Defective Auto Parts
A passenger car has roughly 30,000 parts, all of which work together to keep the vehicle operating safely. If just one part fails, the whole vehicle can be affected, and a serious crash can result. Some of the common types of defective auto part car accident claims our attorneys handle include failures in:
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After a car accident, you may not be able to pinpoint exactly what happened with your car (or the other driver’s car) to cause the crash. That’s why it is crucial to speak with a knowledgeable Charlotte car accident attorney who can have your car inspected, research recall reports, and determine whether other people have experienced the same problem.
Recalls Are Issued to Protect Consumers from Defective Vehicle Parts
Vehicle manufacturers issue recall notices to take back specific models that need to be repaired to correct a safety issue, and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) can also issue a safety recall if they receive enough complaints about a safety issue with a vehicle and they can compel a manufacturer to issue a recall if they have not done so already. In 2017, the NHTSA reports that the number of automotive safety recalls fell to 30.7 million units (There were 53 million units recalled the previous year), which was, according to Forbes Magazine, the fewest number of models taken back by manufacturers since 2013. Given that only 17.6 million new cars were sold last year, there were still around 74% more cars and trucks recalled than were sold to consumers.
How Do You Know if Your Vehicle Is Subject to a Safety Recall?
If your vehicle is subject to a safety recall, you would get a recall notice in the mail. At least that’s how it is supposed to work. The manufacturer is supposed to maintain a contact database of all the registered owners of the vehicles they sell so that they can be contacted for any reason pertaining to the safe operation of the vehicle.
At Safercar.gov, the NHTSA maintains a vehicle safety recall database, where vehicle owners can type in their vehicle’s VIN and discover if their vehicle needs to be repaired, or if there have been any repairs done for safety recalls in the past 15 years. Safercar.gov recall searches include car seats, tires, and other vehicle safety equipment.
Examples of Current Vehicle Safety Recalls
Some examples of vehicles currently under recall include the following:
| Model and year Mercedes-Benz 2018 GLE, GLS Volkswagen Atlas 2018, Volkswagen Passat 2017-18 Jeep Renegade, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Ram 1500, Promaster; Fiat 500X, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger, Durango (all model year 2018) Chrysler 300, 2017-18, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country (model years 2017-2018) Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Cherokee, Chrysler Pacifica (model years 2018-19) Dodge Grand Caravan, Jeep Compass (2018-19) 2018 Dodge Journey (2018) Jeep Cherokee (2019) Subaru Ascent 2019 Hyundai Genesis G80, (2018) | Defect Defective rear brake caliper pistons Defective brake caliper mounting bolts Defective powertrain control module can cause the vehicle to stall and increase the risk of a crash. Defective rear brake caliper pistons can cause reduction in braking performance which can increase the risk of a crash Some vehicles are missing spot welds on or around the B-pillar, which compromises the vehicle's strength and increases the risk of injury. Defective occupant classification system (OCS, which may incorrectly detect that an adult is in the passenger seat even if the seat is unoccupied. In a crash, the front passenger airbag may deploy increasing the risk of injury if a child is seated there. |
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Accidents from Defective Car Parts?
If a defect in your vehicle (or the other driver’s vehicle) caused your crash, our Charlotte car accident attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who should be held responsible. That investigation may lead us to:
- Manufacturers of the defective part: Companies that make auto parts are responsible for their safety. If the parts fail due to problems in the manufacturing process, these companies can be held liable.
- Designers of the defective part: Even if an auto part was manufactured correctly, if the design itself was flawed, the dangerous part can cause serious problems. If your crash was caused by a dangerously designed auto part, the designer may be held responsible for the damages you suffered.
- Marketers of the defective part: If the company that marketed the auto part did not include proper warnings or instructions with the product, that marketer could be held responsible for damages.
- Dealerships or mechanics: In some cases, a part that was not properly installed in the vehicle can cause a crash. When that happens, the dealership or mechanic who improperly serviced your car can be held accountable.
As we investigate your claim, we will identify every party involved in the defective part’s manufacture, distribution, and sale that should be held liable for your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation and let us get started investigating your claim.
Compensation for Car Accidents Caused by Defective Car Parts
Accidents caused by defective car parts can leave you financially strained as you cope with medical bills, vehicle repair costs, and time missed from work. You shouldn’t have to deal with this financial stress on top of the physical and emotional suffering you are being put through.
At Warren & Kallianos, our compassionate legal team will work hard to take the burden off you, fighting aggressively for maximum compensation for your injuries. The types of compensation we may pursue include:
- Payment for your medical bills
- Compensation for future medical treatment or medicines you may need
- Costs to replace or fix your vehicle
- Lost wages or compensation for impaired earning capacity
- Compensation for your pain and suffering and any permanent impairment
- Punitive damages to punish the at-fault party in extreme cases
For people who have lost a close family member in a crash caused by a defective auto part, our dedicated wrongful death attorneys understand that nothing can reverse the damage that has been done to your family. However, we can help identify options for pursuing compensation to ease the financial strain of your loss.
We Fight for People Who Were Injured Due to Defective Auto Parts
It’s bad enough that you must worry about negligent drivers putting your safety at risk on the road. You shouldn’t have to also worry that an auto company or other large corporation will fail in their duty to provide safe and reliable auto parts. We are here to fight for your right to compensation when the negligence of an auto maker is responsible for your injuries. We hold those responsible for your losses accountable to you.
Related Areas
- Common Causes of Negligent Driving Accidents
- Drunk Driving
- Distracted Driving
- Speeding
- Negligent Roadway Design or Maintenance
Contact Our Defective Auto Part Lawyers to Schedule a Free Consultation
At Warren & Kallianos, our Charlotte defective auto part lawyers are committed to holding negligent companies accountable when their defective auto parts cause serious car accidents. Our skilled legal team will aggressively pursue every bit of compensation you deserve to help you heal from your injuries and move forward with your life. To schedule a free consultation, please call 704-377-7777 or fill out our contact form now.
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