When a car accident occurs, one or more of the drivers involved are generally held responsible. However, driver error is not always the culprit. Malfunctioning auto parts can cause or contribute to a collision, leading to serious damage. If your car accident was caused by defective car parts the manufacturer or other entities could be held liable for the damages. If you believe your accident was the result of faulty parts, contact a San Mateo County, California motor vehicle accident lawyer for more information and representation.
What Are Common Automobile Part Defects?
Automobiles are made up of many different parts, all of which play a crucial role in the safe and functional operation of a vehicle. As drivers, people generally trust that their cars and their parts will function as intended. However, malfunctions can happen at any time, resulting in a collision, injury, or even death.
While any part of the vehicle can malfunction, some issues occur more frequently than others. Some examples of common car part defects include the following.
- Defective brakes
- Failure of steering components
- Fuel pump issues causing the vehicle to lose power unexpectedly
- Broken door latch
- Broken seatbelt latch
- Malfunctioning seatbelt tension detector
- Airbag failure to deploy or deploying without reason
- Malfunctioning headlights causing limited visibility
- Ineffective or broken windshield wipers
Any of the above defects could cause or exacerbate an accident. But these issues are not within the control of any driver. So who will face responsibility?
Who is Generally Liable for an Accident Caused By Defective Car Parts?
If you are involved in a car accident that is caused by or worsened due to a defective car part, a few different parties may be held responsible. The following entities could be held responsible for a defective part.
- Manufacturers
- Distributors
- Product designers
When an accident occurs and a faulty part is to blame, the issue could have arisen at any point during the creation or installation of the product. An investigation should be launched to determine what the issue was and where it occurred.
There may be an inherent flaw in the product’s design or the item could have been manufactured incorrectly. Your lawyer will collect and examine evidence and communicate with the necessary parties to find out when the issue occurred and ensure that the responsible parties are held liable.
Reach out to an attorney at the Law Offices of Allister R. Liao for skilled advice and representation during your car accident case. Having legal counsel is crucial to ensure that the liability falls on the appropriate party and that you have the greatest chance of receiving the compensation and damages you are owed. Speak with a skilled lawyer for more information on your legal rights and options.
