Did You Know About These Common Vehicle Defects?
Posted Friday, October 1, 2021 by Chris Thayer
If you have been in a car accident, you know how quickly things can go wrong. A defect in your vehicle can occur at any time and in any component. In the aftermath of a car crash, it can sometimes be hard to pinpoint exactly what happened. Some vehicle defects will be obvious, such as defects to the steering mechanism which would make you feel like you have no control over the vehicle, or to the brake system, which would leave you unable to come to a complete stop. While other defects may only be apparent upon investigation afterward. The bottom line is that your vehicle is supposed to protect you. If any component of your vehicle is defective and that component causes or contributes to physical or financial harm, you have grounds to hold the manufacturer liable. You can do this by bringing a product liability lawsuit.
*What is a Product Liability Lawsuit? *A product liability lawsuit is intended to hold manufacturers liable for the safety and integrity of their products. Unlike in a personal injury lawsuit, all that you have to establish in a product liability lawsuit is that a defect was present and harm occurred as a result. It is not necessary to prove that the company was negligent in causing or failing to notice the defect. Its existence is sufficient to have standing to claim compensation. This is all the more reason to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible if you believe a vehicle defect may have been involved in your car accident. The information in this article is meant to be general, but if you would like to talk to a lawyer about the specifics of your case, you are encouraged to contact the experienced Seattle personal injury and product liability lawyers at Pivotal Law Group to schedule a consultation and receive personalized feedback.
*Common Vehicle Defects*Vehicles are complex and defects can be present in any component, from the visors to the latching mechanisms in the seat belts. However, some of the most common forms of vehicle defects are the following:
- Seat Belt Defects. Seat belt defects include defects to the locking mechanism to the spool, which can cause the seat belt to rapidly release rather than lock upon impact. Other defects may include issues with the seatbelt’s ability to latch, such as becoming unlatched upon impact or for no reason.
- Airbag Defects. When an airbag functions properly it can save your life, but when it fails to deploy, deploys for no reason, or deploys with unreasonable force, it can result in serious injuries to the face and upper body, including burns, bruising, broken bones, whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and traumatic brain injuries, including concussions and brain hemorrhage.
- Door Latch Mechanisms. Defective door latch mechanisms can cause doors to launch off of the car when they are closed too hard or when any pressure is applied against them. This can cause passengers to fall out of the car.
*Schedule a Consultation with Pivotal Law Group *If you have been injured in a Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Burien, Mercer Island, Issaquah, or greater Washington State area car accident that was not your fault, and you believe a vehicle defect played a part in your injuries, contact Pivotal Law Group and schedule a consultation today.