Accidents Caused By Vehicle Defects in Charleston, WV

Most people presume that a car accident is a crash between two vehicles with one party at fault. That’s not always the case. Vehicle defect accidents total 44,000 out of the 2.2 million car accidents every year, according to the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey from the National Highway Transportation Safety Board.

A study by the National Institutes of Health indicates that some form of vehicle defect is responsible for over 50% of crashes.

When you buy a new vehicle, you expect that it will work correctly. One of the most famous vehicle defect accident cases is that of the ignition switch of Chevy’s Cobalt, which was prone to shutting off while the vehicles were in motion. The company began recalling Cobalts built from 2005 through 2010, but the recall didn’t begin until 2014 after hundreds of fatal accidents.

Every year, accidents caused by vehicle defects lead to major accidents for drivers, passengers, and others. Incidents like tire blowouts, airbags that deploy for no reason, and failing brakes or steering can cause unexpected vehicle defect accidents.

Defects That Can Lead To An Accident

The NHTSA has identified several defects that recur frequently:

• Airbags that fail to deploy when needed or deploy when not needed

• Defective tires or other vital vehicle components that break, fall apart, or separate and can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle, and injuries to people inside or outside the vehicle.

• Door latch failures

• Issues with the electrical system that cause loss of lights, power, or automotive fires

• Malfunctioning windshield wiper assembly

• Parts or modules in the fuel system that can leak and cause a vehicle fire

• Seats or seatbelts that unexpectedly fail

• Steering system or components that malfunction and cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

• Sticking or breaking accelerators that lead to unintended acceleration

• Wheels that break or crack, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle

Brake failures are some of the most dangerous causes of vehicle defect accidents, especially when defects lead to failures such as:

• Antilock brake system defects or failures

• Cracking calipers

• Discs that are incorrectly installed

• Hydraulic lines that leak or are incorrectly installed

• Overheating brakes

• Parking brake defects

These defects can lead to a vehicle that stops at the wrong time, such as in the middle of freeway traffic, leading to a multi-car pileup. If the brakes fail to work when the driver presses the pedal, the vehicle can rear-end crash into another vehicle in front, or a stationary object in its vicinity. Accidents caused by vehicle defects can be devastating and lead to serious injuries.

Responsible Parties

Owners are required to maintain their cars and keep them in operable condition. But when an individual part fails, owners and other victims of accidents caused by vehicle defects can file a claim against the manufacturer of vehicles or individual parts.

Vehicle manufacturers have a duty of care to ensure that their cars, trucks, and other vehicles are safe for people who buy and drive them. They should also notify vehicle buyers of any dangers or hazards if they are later discovered.

An injured party can also file a claim against the company that distributed the vehicle, or even the car dealership for damages.

Let The Love Law Firm Help With Your Car Accident Claim

We stand ready to protect your interests and help you fully recover after an accident. We’ll examine all the facts in the case, and the police report, and advise you on how to proceed.

You may be able to recover compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain & suffering.

If you’ve been involved in an accident caused by vehicle defects, contact us at The Love Law Firm, or call us at (304) 344 5683. Your consultation is free, and we only collect if we win your case.