Defective car parts can lead to severe injuries when they fail and cause a driver to crash. Automobile defects can also directly cause injuries in some cases, such as exploding airbags that send shrapnel flying through a car’s cabin. The secondary effects of automobile defects, such as costly medical bills and deep emotional distress, can be equally severe.
The Phoenix automobile defect lawyers at Triumph Law Group proudly represent injured drivers and passengers in their fight for justice. We can handle all the legal work in your case and fight on your behalf for fair compensation. Firm founder Triumph Curiel has over a decade of legal experience and knows the strategies automakers and insurance companies use to deny people their rightful compensation. You don’t owe us any fees unless you recover compensation, so call 602-595-5559 now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
Why You Need a Phoenix Car Defect Attorney
Identifying which defective parts caused a car accident and determining who’s responsible for the defect requires in-depth knowledge and experience most people don’t have. Without help from a Phoenix automobile defect attorney, you will likely struggle to find the evidence you need to hold an automaker or parts manufacturer accountable. You could also settle for less compensation than your claim’s full worth if you don’t fully document your injuries.
A Phoenix automobile defect lawyer can handle these steps and all the other work in your case. While your lawyer manages the legal details, you can concentrate on healing and rebuilding your life. A Phoenix personal injury attorney can also protect you during negotiations with the insurance companies by keeping you from saying or doing anything that could hurt your case and arguing for the full compensation you deserve. Finally, your lawyer can represent you in court if settlement negotiations fail and your case goes to trial.
Types of Automobile Defects
There are two main types of automobile defects that can cause accidents. The first is manufacturing defects. Manufacturing defects occur when a part’s design is sound, but something during the manufacturing process makes it dangerous or prone to failure.
The other main type of automobile defect is design defects. If a car part has a design defect, something is wrong with the product’s basic design, making it dangerous or more likely to fail after installation.
The final type of defect that sometimes comes up in product liability cases—though rarely in automobile defect claims—is failure-to-warn defects. These defects occur when manufacturers do not provide adequate instructions about how to use a product safely or the potential risks of using it. Failure-to-warn defects are rare in cars because automakers and parts manufacturers usually go to great lengths to explain how a car works and how to safely use advanced technology or crucial components. That said, these defects do occur occasionally. For example, cars with advanced braking systems can crash if manufacturers don’t warn drivers how to apply the brakes safely.
Examples of Automobile Defects
Common examples of automobile defects that lead to accidents include:
- Faulty brakes – Defective brake components can cause a car’s brakes to fail when a driver must stop or slow down, leading to a severe collision.
- Defective tires – Poorly made tires can fail during turns, sudden braking maneuvers, or at high speeds. Tire blowouts can cause a car to suddenly swerve or skid, potentially leading to an accident.
- Steering system malfunctions – A malfunctioning system can mean a car doesn’t respond properly or at all when the driver turns the wheel. Without the ability to steer their car, a driver is much more likely to collide with other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, or stationary objects.
- Accelerator defects – Accelerator pedals that stick when applied or don’t spring back when released can cause a car to speed up uncontrollably and crash. Toyota had to pay a $1.2 billion fine in a criminal case after federal investigators found widespread issues with the company’s accelerators.
- Airbag malfunctions – Drivers and passengers can slam into a car’s steering wheel or interior when defective airbags don’t deploy. In other cases, defective airbags can explode when deployed and cause severe injuries. Defects like these led to a massive recall of Takata airbags.
- Faulty electrical systems – Modern cars involve many more electric and computerized components than past models, from headlights and power steering systems to automatic braking systems and a car’s dashboard display. A failure in any of these systems, such as a car’s headlights shorting out at night, can cause a crash.
- Fuel system defects – Leaks or other defects in a car’s fuel system can cause it to stall unexpectedly and crash. In severe crashes, fuel system defects can cause a car to catch fire in a crash, potentially burning anyone inside or near the vehicle.
Who’s Liable for an Automobile Defect Accident?
Automakers and parts manufacturers are usually liable for crashes resulting from defective parts. Determining who’s ultimately responsible depends on the crash and the type of defects. For example, automakers usually design a car and its components, while other companies may make some or all of its parts. If the problem is a design defect, that’s usually the automaker’s responsibility. If it’s a manufacturing defect, the fault typically lies with the manufacturer.
However, automakers and parts manufacturers are not the only ones who may be liable for a collision resulting from a defect. In some cases, drivers contribute to these accidents by engaging in dangerous behavior. For example, speeding and aggressive maneuvers put more stress on a car’s components, making an accident even more likely if a part is already defective. An experienced automobile defect lawyer can investigate the crash to identify who’s liable for your injuries so you can hold them accountable.
Compensation for Automobile Defect Injuries
Your compensation after an automobile defect accident depends on your injuries, financial losses, and other factors. With the right legal support, your claim could include compensation for:
- Lost income – You can claim compensation for any wages, bonuses, or other income you lost while you recover from the crash.
- Reduced future earnings – If your injuries keep you from returning to work or force you to find a new career, you can demand compensation for your reduced future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering – You may be in intense pain after a car crash, which may also impact your daily quality of life. An experienced attorney can help you prove your pain and suffering so you can seek fair compensation.
- Emotional distress – Many people involved in automobile defect accidents suffer from anxiety, post-traumatic stress, insomnia, and other mental health conditions. These conditions can take a significant emotional toll, and you can pursue compensation for your mental anguish.
- Damaged personal property – It may cost thousands of dollars to repair or replace your car after an automobile defect crash. You can pursue compensation for these expenses and the cost to repair or replace any other property damaged in the crash.
Deadline to File an Automobile Defect Lawsuit
In most cases, you have two years from an automobile defect accident to sue the automaker or another liable party. However, these cases often take a long time to build, so we urge you to speak to a lawyer immediately.
Contact Our Phoenix Automobile Defect Lawyers Now
We expect automakers to take driver safety seriously, and you have the right to hold them accountable when their negligence causes an automobile defect accident. Call Triumph Law Group now at 602-595-5559 or reach out online for a free consultation with a knowledgeable Phoenix car accident attorney.
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