Cars are safer than they used to be in Cartersville. However, design and manufacturing defects still happen. If an error caused your car accident, you deserve compensation. Talk to a Cartersville car accident lawyer today about your options.
Car defects put everyone on the road at risk. Manufacturers must ensure their products are safe. If you suspect vehicle defects caused your accident, get the legal help you need.
Contact John Foy & Associates for a FREE consultation. We do not charge a fee unless we win your case. With over 20 years of experience, we know what to do. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get your FREE consultation.
Car Design Versus Manufacturing Defects
If car defects caused your accident, it’s a product liability issue. There are three main types of product liability claims:
1. Design Defect Claims
Auto design defects make a product dangerous. Some design defects are apparent right away, while others can take time to develop. Either way, the design company should have known the error would become an issue.
A company might make a car that is top-heavy and more prone to rollovers. Mechanical defects are also common with motor vehicles. Other examples of design defects include:
- Seat belts that don’t work correctly
- Airbags that fail to deploy
- Weak vehicle structure
- Unsafe gas tank locations
You can hold a company liable for damages that a defect caused. Design defects usually affect an entire line of vehicles. You’ll rarely find them with just one car.
2. Manufacturing Defect Claims
Manufacturing defects typically happen during the manufacturing process. Unlike design defects, they are not part of the product plan. Manufacturing defects usually affect a small portion of products.
Manufacturing defects can happen if the manufacturer used low-quality materials to save money. Other examples of manufacturing defects include:
- Installing wires incorrectly
- Using the wrong materials for the product
- Using harmful chemicals
- Poorly-assembled or misshapen parts
Thankfully, manufacturers have become more careful in recent years. They know that they can be held liable for vehicle defects. However, issues do still happen.
If a design or manufacturing defect caused your accident, you probably have a case. Talk to a lawyer today about your compensation options.
3. Marketing Defect Claims
Marketing defects are about failing to warn users. If there are potential dangers that aren’t obvious, the manufacturer should let users know. A manufacturer could be liable for an injury because of marketing defects.
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Common Car Design or Manufacturing Defects
Design or manufacturing defects can impact any car part. Here are some examples of common vehicle components affected by defects:
- Brakes
- Tires
- Floor mats
- Seatbelts
- Airbags
- Electrical wiring
- Steering
- Suspension
- Wheels
- Transmission
- Exhaust
Defects can be incredibly dangerous, with issues that seem to arise out of nowhere. In some cases, they cause a driver to crash. If an error caused your car accident, you shouldn’t have to pay.
At John Foy & Associates, we can help. We have worked on many defective design or manufacturing cases over the past 20-plus years. Our number one priority is getting you full compensation for your costs.
To schedule a FREE consultation, call us at (404) 400-4000, or contact us online.
What to Know About Proving Liability
Vehicle product liability cases can be very complicated. There are many parties involved in making a car, such as:
- Parts manufacturers
- Third-party manufacturers
- Auto shops
- Car dealerships
You will need to dig deep into the issue. You might assume the manufacturer is entirely at fault for your injuries. But there could be another company that sold the defective part to the manufacturer. You’ll need to uncover which parties are responsible.
We highly recommend working with an experienced car accident lawyer. Your lawyer can:
- Inspect the car that crashed.
- Look into the vehicle’s design and manufacturing history.
- See if there have been other accidents related to the issue.
- Determine how state and local laws apply.
Without in-depth knowledge of the law, you won’t know where to start. An experienced lawyer will be able to handle the details. Just be sure to work with someone experienced in vehicle design or manufacturing defects cases.
Accidents Caused by Crashworthiness Issues
When a manufacturer makes a car, they must ensure it is crashworthy (Georgia Code Section 51-1-11).
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), crashworthiness is about reducing severe and fatal accident injuries. A car must be reasonably safe for those who buy it. If your vehicle did not protect you as it should have during the crash, you might have a case.
Car Accident Claims Versus Product Liability Claims
You could have two different claims after your accident. If a design or manufacturing error led to the accident, that’s one claim. You can bring a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
If another driver contributed to your accident, you might have another case. That would be a personal injury claim filed against the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Work with an attorney who can handle both types of cases. They can guide you through the best steps for your needs.
Damages You Can Claim
If another party is liable for your accident, you will have damages. Damages are costs or losses from your injuries. You will probably have expenses like:
- Medical bills
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Vehicle damage
- Pain and suffering
Your lawyer will know how to calculate these damages. You will need to provide proof for some of them.
Talk to a Cartersville Car Accident Lawyer for Free Today
At John Foy & Associates, we’ve been helping accident victims for over 20 years. We fight for your full right to compensation. We believe no injury victim should pay for an accident they didn’t cause.
Working with us is risk-free. We do not charge a fee unless we win you money. Plus, the consultation is always FREE.
To schedule your FREE consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
