In some cases, a car accident does not occur solely as a result of driver negligence. Vehicle defects can be a contributing factor. It’s important to be aware of any defects that need to be addressed in your vehicle to prevent an accident. Some of these defects do not cause accidents on their own but can worsen injuries if a collision does occur.
Here are some vehicle defects that can lead to car accidents or worsen injuries:
Faulty Airbags
In an accident, your car’s airbag helps to cushion the blow. Along with your seatbelt, it can reduce your risk of serious injury. However, a faulty airbag can fail to provide this protection, or can even make injuries in an accident worse. An airbag with a malfunctioning crash sensor can also deploy at the wrong time and cause an accident.
Defective Brakes
A defect in the braking system can leave a driver unable to stop their vehicle. This puts them and other drivers on the road at risk of an accident. Because the driver is unable to slow down or control the speed, these collisions are often more serious and may even be deadly.
Tire Defects
Defects can occur in a lot of tires that the manufacturer recalls. These can lead to a sudden blowout or other malfunctions. Especially at highway speeds, blowouts have the potential to cause an accident. They can also leave debris on the road that puts other drivers at risk.
Ignition Issues
A faulty ignition switch can cause the vehicle to lose power suddenly due to an event that jars it or even a heavy key ring. This causes the steering and brakes to stop working properly and may even stop airbags from deploying in the event of an accident.
Design Flaws
Vehicles are designed to protect drivers as much as possible in a collision. However, flaws in the vehicle design can reduce its crashworthiness and cause or worsen injuries in an accident.
Liability in Car Accidents Involving Defects
In most car accident cases, the goal is to demonstrate negligence on the part of one of the drivers, and the claim is filed against this driver’s insurance company. If a defect caused or contributed to the collision, this process becomes more complicated. The claim will need to be filed against the part or vehicle manufacturer. Depending on the circumstances, the case may also involve the other driver(s) as well. It’s important to work with a lawyer who is experienced in both car accident cases and product liability for this type of claim.
Tucson Car Accident Lawyer
At Grabb & Durando, we have been fighting for injured Tucsonans for over 28 years. We can help you get the compensation you deserve and work with both car accident and product liability claims, as well as many other types of personal injury cases.
