While a majority of car accidents are caused by human factors such as the following, some car accidents have mechanical causes:
- Texting
- Speeding
- Other avoidable factors
Just like any other type of product, car parts can be manufactured incorrectly and even designed poorly. These defects can lead to serious accidents and injuries. These types of accidents are avoidable too. Car manufacturers and car part manufacturers are held to a high standard and should be delivering quality products. In the event that a car accident is caused by a car part that malfunctioned, victims may be able to file auto product liability claims.
Determining Liability in Auto Defect Cases
Who can be held liable in these types of accidents? In some instances, it is actually the car owner who is having liability shifted onto them after the accident. Insurance companies can be quick to blame the car's owner for failing to properly maintain the vehicle. Truthfully, car owners are responsible for:
- Changing tires
- Changing the oil
- Overall maintenance of the vehicle
Sometimes, accidents caused by mechanical failures can be the fault of the car's owner. However, this is not always the case. Many times, the car part manufacturer and the car company as a whole can be the defendants in auto product liability cases where the plaintiffs are the victims of the car accidents.
Defective Tire Cases
One of the more common types of auto product liability cases involves defective tires. Sometimes, tires can be sold as new when in fact they have been sitting in warehouses for long periods of time. If the vehicle's owner is not aware of the true age of the tires, then they may not replace them in a timely fashion. This and other types of tire defects can result in tire blowouts while the vehicle is in motion, which can result in serious single-vehicle and multi-vehicle accidents.
Unintended Acceleration Recalls from 2010
Around 2010, there were a series of automobile recalls for something called unintended acceleration. A few different makes and models were the subject of these recalls. For example, Toyota had to recall thousands of its vehicles because owners experienced this unintended acceleration. This defect is typically caused by a floor mat or the gas/brake pedals. Some vehicles would accelerate without driver's prompting. Some of the vehicles recalled included 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla, Camry, Tacoma, Avalon, Matrix and Pontiac Vibe.
Wondering if You Have a Case? Call Stern Law Group Now.
If a vehicle defect is to blame for your accident, then our firm can use advanced investigation methods to gather evidence to prove so. At Stern Law Group, we are not afraid to hold product manufacturers accountable for vehicle defects, especially when those defects put lives at risk. To learn more about representation from our Houston auto product liability lawyers, call today.