When a motor vehicle has even a minor defect, it can compromise the safety of the entire vehicle. If a part defect causes a car accident, the manufacturer or distributor of the part can be held accountable. Over the years, vehicle defects have led to major safety recalls, large-scale product liability lawsuits and tragic traffic disasters.
If a part defect causes a car accident, the manufacturer or distributor of the part can be held accountable. In situations like these, working with an Orange County car accident lawyer can help victims understand who may be responsible and what options they have for recovery.
Brake Failure
A vehicle relies on its brakes to come to a complete stop and avoid collisions. If the brake lines, pads or rotors are defective, it can lead to extremely dangerous brake failure. Brake fluid leaks can also contribute to this problem. Brake failure may arise due to faulty design or manufacturing. In other cases, problems during installation can lead to brake failure.
Tire Defects
Issues with how a tire is designed or produced can lead to dangerous defects. If the tire experiences a higher rate of wear and tear than normal, for example, it could get excessively worn down and be prone to a tire blowout. This refers to a tire explosion that can cause a loss of vehicle control and serious accidents. Other signs of defective tires include:
- Uneven treadwear
- Tread separation
- Cuts or cracks in the sidewall
- Weak spots
- Bubbles or blisters
One of the worst examples of tire defects in history is the Firestone tire recall of the early 2000s. An issue in the installation of Firestone tires on certain cars, particularly Ford Explorers, led to an increased risk of tread separation and rollover accidents. This defect caused 270 deaths and numerous injuries due to sudden tire blowouts.
Defective Airbags
Airbags are meant to prevent vehicle occupants from catastrophic injuries in automobile accidents by creating a cushioned buffer between the passenger and the point of impact. Unfortunately, if an airbag contains a defect, it could fail to prevent or even cause injuries. Examples of airbag issues include failure to deploy, random deployment and – as in the case of the major Takata airbag recall – exploding airbags. Approximately 67 million airbags manufactured by the brand Takata have been recalled due to airbag explosions upon deployment. This defect caused 28 confirmed deaths and at least 400 injuries.
Seat Belt Malfunction
Like airbags, seat belts work to reduce the risk of serious and fatal injuries in automobile accidents. When working correctly, seat belts keep vehicle occupants in position during a collision, reducing the risk of impact-related injuries. If a seat belt contains a manufacturing defect or design flaw, it could encounter issues such as unlatching, false latching and ripping. These problems can lead to seat belt failure during a car accident, contributing to serious injuries and deaths.
Electrical Problems
Many different types of vehicle defects could affect the electrical system of a car, with potentially disastrous effects. Wiring defects can cause car fires, for instance, while faulty ignition switches can disable power steering, brakes and airbags. Lately, there has been an increase in car accidents caused by technical and software malfunctions in self-driving and autonomous vehicles. For instance, problems with Tesla’s Autopilot feature have been linked to at least 736 accidents since 2019, along with 17 deaths. If you get involved in an automobile accident and suspect the influence of a part defect, contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian to discuss your legal options. You may be eligible for financial compensation through a product liability claim.