As a law firm that regularly handles car accident cases, we come across countless scenarios where accidents could have been avoided. While driver error is generally the most common car accident cause, there are some situations where an automotive defect is either responsible for the accident or highly contributes to injuries after a crash. When these situations arise, the accident victims may have the right to file a lawsuit against the car manufacturer in order to receive compensation for their injuries. There are some common defects that cause motor vehicle accidents.
Defective Air Bags
Airbags can save your life in a car accident, but if they don't work properly, they can cause major injuries for passengers, especially children. Defective airbags are often the cause of national car recalls, and they may be caused by faulty crash signals, excessive power in the inflators, or an inflationary path that extends horizontally instead of upward. An airbag that fails to deploy during an accident won't cushion the impact, and airbags that deploy with too much force or too quickly could break bones or even result in death.
Seat Belt Failure
The seat belt is one of the most important safety features in your vehicle, but it doesn't always work properly. According to the NHTSA, about three million people experience seat belt failure each year, and thousands die due to this vehicle defect annually. If your seat belt unlatches or unbuckles during an accident, you may be severely hurt. Without a seat belt that operates properly, you could even be ejected from the vehicle.
Tire Blowouts
Tire blowouts are one of the most common causes of auto accidents. You may be hit by another driver who experiences a tire blowout, or you may lose control of your own vehicle if your tires fail. Low tire pressure is a major cause of tire blowout, and drivers have the responsibility to ensure that their tires are adequately inflated so that these accidents can be avoided.
Door Latch Mechanisms
While a defective door latch mechanism may not be the cause of an accident, it can certainly make a bad accident even worse. Many cars on the road do not have auto-locking doors, meaning that occupants will need to turn on the lock manually. If occupants don't engage the door locks, the doors could open during an auto accident. This could cause the occupants to be ejected from the vehicle, and accidents are three times more likely to have a fatality when occupants are ejected in a collision.
Seatback Failure
During rear-impact collisions, seatback failure can result in serious injury, especially when the seatback collapses backward after impact. This can result in the driver losing control, and the seat belt system may be disabled. In the most serious accidents, vehicle occupants have been ejected from their car after they've slipped out of the seat belt system. It is thought that approximately 1,000 people die each year in auto accidents due to defective seatbacks, and another 1,500 are injured.
The most important thing you can do as a consumer is to stay current on any vehicle recalls related to your car. Unsafe vehicles need to be repaired or taken off the road to prevent accidents. If you or someone you know has been involved in an automobile accident that was caused by a car defect, then be sure to preserve any possible evidence to support a claim and speak with a good car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Millions Recovered for Clients
After a car accident, you want to entrust your case to a law firm that has a long track record of success – Belushin Law Firm, P.C. has recovered millions of dollars for our past clients in damages ranging from medical bills to lost wages and property damage. We’ve handled a variety of car accident claims, from common rear-end accidents to those that cause catastrophic injuries like paralysis and brain injuries. Our car accident attorneys have the resources to investigate your accident, gather evidence, and establish liability. Our team members have been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers list and are known for our commitment to our clients, both in and out of the courtroom.
Call our car accident attorneys at (888) 918-9890, or contact us online after you’ve been injured. At Belushin Law Firm, P.C., our team is committed to helping our clients heal by securing the maximum amount of compensation they need.