The design and manufacturing of vehicles have improved a lot in recent years. But that doesn’t mean mistakes can’t happen. Defects still cause accidents that result in injuries or deaths.
If you suffered injuries in an accident caused by a vehicle defect, you must know your rights. You might have a claim against the designer, manufacturer, or another party. With the expertise of our Atlanta car accident attorneys, John Foy and Associates stand ready to assist you in navigating these complex situations. Our car accident lawyers can help you seek financial recovery.
Call us today to learn your options during a free consultation. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Damages from Design or Manufacturing Defect Accidents
If someone else caused your accident, they are responsible for the costs. You might have the right to money for losses like:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Vehicle repair costs
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Tragically, some people lose their lives in these types of accidents. If a loved one died, you could have a wrongful death claim for:
- Medical costs
- Lost income
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of consortium or companionship
Talk to your lawyer about everything you can claim. The law should compensate you for losses you wouldn’t have if the accident hadn’t happened. Many times, the compensation a victim deserves is higher than they realize.
Reach out to a lawyer today to learn more. Keep in mind that the clock starts ticking after your accident.
Under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §9-3-33, Georgians have two years from the accident date to bring a case. If you miss the deadline, the courts can bar you from recovering any damages from the accident. Consulting with an Atlanta personal injury attorney like John Foy and Associates promptly after your accident can ensure you don’t miss crucial timelines and can guide you through the legal intricacies.
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Parts of a Product Liability Case
If a car design or manufacturing defect causes an accident, there is often a product liability case. If you suffered injuries, you might have a case against one or more parties.
Defective Designs
A defective design case claims that:
- The vehicle’s design is dangerous, and
- The manufacturer designed the vehicle to turn out this way.
The manufacturer probably didn’t mean to cause harm, but their product was still unreasonably dangerous. For example, the risks of the design are greater than the benefits. The manufacturer might be responsible if they could have used a safer design.
Defective Manufacturing
A manufacturing defect case claims that defects happened during the manufacturing process. The vehicle or its part would usually be safe, but something happened during manufacturing to make it unsafe.
Duty to Warn Case
Some accidents can happen if a manufacturer doesn’t provide enough warning. For example, a vehicle component might have no design or manufacturing defects. However, the customer used the product in a way that caused harm.
Manufacturers must warn people about potential dangers. Failure to warn can lead to a product liability case.
Liability in Manufacturing and Design
If a defect led to your accident, someone could be liable. There are many factors involved in product liability cases, which makes them complicated. The responsible party could be:
- A vehicle manufacturing company
- A vehicle parts manufacturer
- A design company
- An auto shop
- A used car or truck dealership
You’ll need to know what defect led to your accident. Without this information, you won’t know who to hold accountable.
Thankfully, you don’t have to handle your case alone. An experienced car accident lawyer will know where to start and what to do. At John Foy & Associates, we can investigate your accident and help you seek the recovery you deserve.
To get a free consultation today, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Vehicle Defects and Accidents
A personal injury claim holds someone responsible for their negligence. With a product liability claim, it’s more complicated. You don’t always need to prove negligence when seeking compensation for a vehicle defect.
Each case is unique. Talk to a lawyer today to learn about your options. The details of your accident and the defective will determine your compensation rights.
Vehicle Defect Examples
A vehicle or its components can have defects in many ways. For example, defective design or manufacturing can affect the:
- Braking system
- Electrical system
- Fuel system
- Car or truck engine
- Steering system
- Cooling or heating system
- Safety features
- Transmission
- Exhaust
- And more
Vehicles are complex, and it’s hard to identify an issue if you’re not a professional. That’s why a car accident lawyer will work with experts to get all of the facts. An experienced lawyer is also familiar with common defects that lead to accidents.
Manufacturing Recalls and Accidents
Sometimes, a company won’t know about a defect until later. For this reason, vehicle recalls happen pretty often. You can search for recalls on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.
If a driver gets a recall notice for their vehicle, they should respond quickly. Recall warnings let customers know that there is an issue that needs fixing. Otherwise, the driver is putting themselves and others at risk.
If your accident involved a driver who didn’t respond to a recall, that driver could be partially at fault. Talk to a lawyer about what the details mean for your compensation.
The Product Liability Case Process
After a lawyer learns about your case, they can start building a claim. Here’s how it typically goes:
- Investigating: Your lawyer will investigate the accident, gather evidence, and determine liability.
- Calculating damages: You could have medical costs, lost wages, emotional suffering, and more. Your lawyer will determine the value of all damages to include in your claim.
- Negotiation: After filing your claim, you will get a response from the insurance company. If the insurance company sends a lowball offer, your lawyer will negotiate for a fair settlement.
- Lawsuit: Sometimes, insurance companies will refuse to settle. If necessary, your lawyer can help you file a lawsuit. (However, you can usually reach a settlement without going to court.)
Get Legal Help from a Defective Design or Manufacturing Lawyer Today
An experienced lawyer can help if you suffer injuries in an accident caused by defective designs or manufacturing. Our team knows how to build a strong liability case for what you deserve. Plus, we don’t charge you anything unless we win your case.
John Foy & Associates has been helping accident victims for over 20 years. We’re always on the side of those injured by someone else’s actions. And we are not afraid to fight for your rights.
Learn more during a free, no-risk consultation. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started.
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