While many accidents result from driver error or negligence, some collisions occur when a defective part malfunctions on a vehicle. These accidents can be just as dangerous since the driver does not expect their vehicle to malfunction. They may have been driving normally and abiding by the traffic laws before the vehicle failed, causing them to lose control.
If this happened to you or another vehicle’s malfunction caused your accident, consider hiring a Baton Rouge defective design or manufacture of vehicles or vehicle components lawyer to defend your rights. Contact Morris Bart at (225) 341-5694 for a free case review.
Failure of Vehicle Components
Accidents involving unsafe or failed components on the vehicle are uncommon, but they happen frequently enough that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) keeps track of them. According to NHTSA’s Traffic Safety Facts, roughly 2% of motor vehicle accidents in the United States annually name the vehicle as the primary issue.
The following are some of the components that may fail on a vehicle, leading to a collision:
- Tires
- Brakes
- Steering system
- Transmission
- Electrical system
- Axles
- Defrost system, causing the windows to fog up and obscure the driver’s vision
- Broken side or rear-view mirrors
For a free legal consultation with a Defective Design or Manufacture of Vehicles or Vehicle Components Accident lawyer serving Baton Rouge, call (225) 341-5694
Causes of Malfunctioning Parts
Several parties may be responsible when a vehicle malfunctions, causing the driver to lose control and hit other vehicles or pedestrians. They include:
- Car manufacturer: The company that manufactured the vehicle may have made an error that created a design flaw, eventually leading to a failure and a crash.
- Parts manufacturer: The company that made the individual parts that went into the vehicle’s creation failed to catch a design flaw or a defect.
- Repair center: The repair technician who worked on the car may have installed the wrong part or installed the right part incorrectly.
- The driver: The driver who owns the car may have failed to take the car in for maintenance after receiving notice of a recall.
The NHTSA keeps track of recalls, alerting vehicle owners to potential car problems. A vehicle owner who fails to take care of a recall in a reasonable amount of time could be found negligent in a collision, should the malfunctioning part have played a role.
A Baton Rouge defective design or manufacture of vehicles or vehicle components lawyer can help you determine whether a malfunctioning part led to your crash. Our investigation determines which party or parties were negligent and should be held liable for your injuries. Call Morris Bart for a free consultation today at (225) 341-5694.
Defective Tires
One of the most common reasons a mechanical failure leads to an injury accident involves an issue with one or more tires on the car. Drivers have a duty to keep their cars in proper working order, including the tires.
Defective tires could wear unevenly or experience underinflation. Failure to replace old tires could be a sign of negligence by the driver who caused the crash.
When a driver travels at highway speeds and suffers a tire blowout, it is nearly impossible for them to maintain control of the car. This loss of control means that the driver who suffered the tire blowout may cause a collision, leading to serious injuries for everyone involved.
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Malfunctioning Lights
Another issue that can lead to an accident is malfunctioning lights. This may seem like a simple fix, but it is a safety issue that can cause extremely dangerous accidents with severe injuries. Issues with your headlights, taillights, or turn signals can all potentially lead to a collision.
When a driver has malfunctioning lights, it may compromise their vision while driving at night. It may also prevent other drivers from knowing when the vehicle is coming to a stop or slowing down to turn. As such, they may be unable to react to the unexpected move of the driver in time to avoid an accident.
If a witness to your accident notices that one of the vehicles had a malfunctioning light, this could serve as evidence in a personal injury case.
Reach Out to Morris Bart Injury and Accident Lawyers
If you believe an error from the manufacturer led to a mechanical failure that resulted in your accident, you may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the company. A Baton Rouge defective design or manufacture of vehicles or vehicle components lawyer can help with the case.
When you choose our firm, the team at Morris Bart will investigate the facts of the case, helping to determine what malfunction may have caused the accident and your injuries. A defective tire, improperly installed brakes, or a malfunctioning airbag system could all point to negligence by the car manufacturer or another party.
We can use evidence of this, as well as testimony from industry experts, to investigate your collision and build your case for compensation. Our team will work hard on your behalf, seeking the fairest possible settlement for your pain, suffering, and medical costs.
Morris Bart has 16 offices in four states in the Gulf South, including our Baton Rouge office in Louisiana. Call us today at (225) 341-5694 for a free case review.
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