Los Angeles Vehicle Defect Attorneys
Although technological advances and design enhancements have greatly improved automobile safety over the years, vehicle defects contribute to thousands of car accidents each year. While it is possible to hold manufacturers and distributors liable for vehicle defects that lead to accidents and injuries, having an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner is crucial.
J&Y Law Firm has extensive experience pursuing product liability lawsuits arising from vehicle defects. We are well versed in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and have a well deserved reputation for enforcing the rights of our clients. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident that was caused by vehicle defects, our legal team will fight to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Vehicle Safety-Related Defects
Under the federal safety standards, motor vehicle safety is defined as the performance of a motor vehicle, including its operational safety, or motor vehicle equipment, in a way that protects the public against an unreasonable risk of accidents that lead to injuries or death due to the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle.
Moreover, defects include any defect in performance, construction, components, material or equipment that poses a risk to motor vehicle safety and may exist in a group of vehicles or equipment of the same design, type or manufacturer. Common safety-related defects include:
- Steering components that fail causing loss of vehicle control
- Accelerator controls that break or stick
- Fuel system components susceptible to crash damage that leak and cause fires
- Windshield wiper assemblies that fail to operate properly or malfunction
- Seat belts and/or seat backs that fail unexpectedly
- Electrical system problems that result in a fire or loss of lighting
- Air bags that deploy when they should not or cause injuries to occupants
- Tires or other components that crack or break, resulting in loss of vehicle control
- Sunroofs that become loose and fly off into traffic
Safety Recalls
A recall involving a defective motor vehicle or equipment can be issued independently by an automaker or ordered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (the NHTSA), which only has jurisdiction over safety defects. If an auto manufacturer is aware of a defect or a recall has been ordered, the company has a legal obligation to recall the vehicles, notify owners and lessees in writing, and instruct dealers to inspect the vehicles and make repairs as necessary.
How Injuries are Caused by Vehicle Defects
Defective vehicles, auto parts and equipment can cause accidents and injuries in two ways. First, a defect in the vehicle is the actual cause of the accident, whether from a steering failure, an airbag that deploys unexpectedly, a tire blowout, or other defect that causes the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Additionally, vehicle defects may cause accident injuries to be more serious, such as when a seat back collapses, an airbag fails, or the vehicle rolls over.
Liability for Auto Defects
In California, manufacturers and of automobiles and auto parts have a duty to ensure that the products they provide to the public are safe. They are also required to adequately warn consumers of any dangers whenever they are discovered. By failing to meet these obligations, drivers and passengers who are injured in accidents caused by safety defects can recover damages by filing a product liability lawsuit. Depending on the circumstances, a number of parties may be liable, including the automobile manufacturer, the company that distributed the vehicle, the parts manufacturer, or the auto dealer, among others.
California Auto Defect Injury Attorneys
At J&Y Law Firm, we have decades of experience handling all types of car accident claims and proven track record of helping the injured obtain just compensation. Auto defect accident claims are complex because it is difficult to determine which party may be held liable.
Nonetheless, our legal team has the skills and resources to to show how automobile manufacturers, distributors may be negligent. We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident and whether a vehicle recall was issued. Even if there was no recall involve, we will discover evidence of a vehicle defect by collaborating with a respected network of accident reconstruction specialists.
We will work tirelessly to help you obtain compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering and other losses. Depending on the circumstances it may also be possible to recover punitive damages that are designed to punish a responsible party. We are dedicated to holding negligent parties accountable for vehicle defects and protecting the rights of our clients. Call our office today for a free consultation or complete the contact form on our website.