Vehicle manufacturers in Dunwoody have a duty to make safe products. When a vehicle defect leads to an accident, someone is liable. If you or a loved one were injured in this type of accident, you have rights.
Manufacturer liability claims happen when vehicle components cause injuries or deaths. For example, a car might have faulty brakes or other parts. This type of case requires help from an experienced Dunwoody car accident lawyer.
Our lawyers at John Foy & Associates can help with your liability claim. We understand the complexities of defective design or manufacturer cases and how to fight for financial recovery. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Accidents Caused by Defective Vehicle Parts
Serious car accidents need proper investigation and attention. After an accident, you’ll want to consider all possible causes.
Many times, an accident happens because one or more drivers were careless. But some crashes occur when a vehicle has defects. Product liability cases are more common with accidents than people realize.
A defective vehicle accident could involve several parties. You might have a case against:
- The vehicle manufacturer
- The parts manufacturer
- The car dealership
- A parts or vehicle distributor
- An auto supply store
It depends on how the defective vehicle or component came into your life. For example, maybe your whole car has a design defect that causes rollovers. Or, perhaps you purchased a car part that you didn’t know was defective.
An investigation is so important at this stage. Many moving parts could contribute to an accident. It’s best to contact a car accident lawyer who can start digging into the details.
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Uncrashworthiness in Car Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), crashworthiness is about reducing the number of “fatal and serious injuries” each year. Crashworthiness helps protect occupants when an accident happens.
Design or manufacturing flaws can make a vehicle “uncrashworthy.” Even if another driver caused your accident, a manufacturer could be partially at fault. Maybe you wouldn’t have suffered such severe injuries if the vehicle had been more crashworthy.
Cars and trucks can also have flaws that make them more prone to accidents. If a defect caused you to wreck, the manufacturer might be at fault. A dealership or other company could also be responsible for selling a defective vehicle or component.
Common Vehicle Defects in Dunwoody
Defective vehicles do not work as they should. When a defect exists, it’s only a matter of time before an accident happens. Sadly, many drivers do not know when their car or car part is defective.
Examples of defects include:
- Seat belts that don’t restrain
- Tire blowouts
- Brake failure
- Airbag defects
- Design defects that cause rollovers
- Imbalanced motorcycles
- Acceleration pedal defects
- Electrical defects
- Cruise control defects
- And more
A car accident lawyer can help uncover the defective area. If you were injured because of the defect, you have legal rights. You can seek financial recovery for your costs.
Talk to a lawyer about filing a product liability claim. You might be eligible to fully cover all of the costs of your injuries or accident.
How to Prove Liability for an Accident
Product liability claims in Georgia are based on either negligence or strict liability. With strict liability, you don’t have to prove that the other side was at fault. You do need to prove that:
- The company manufactured the vehicle or part.
- The product defect existed when it left the manufacturer.
- The defect caused the injury.
Different Types of Defects
Your case could involve a manufacturing defect or design defect. With a manufacturing defect case, you’re claiming that:
- The manufacturer designed the product to be safe
- An error happened during the manufacturing process
- The error caused an unsafe vehicle or vehicle component
With a design defect case, you’re claiming that the design was intentional—and it’s dangerous. Many times, the company could have used another method to make the product safer.
You might also claim that the manufacturer should have warned about the vehicle’s dangers. If the car was still under warranty, that could also be a liability factor.
Recovering Damages
If you were injured by a design or manufacturing defect, you can claim damages like:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Vehicle repairs
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
You must know all of your accident damages. If possible, wait until you’ve completed medical treatment to file a claim. You deserve full compensation for the losses you have.
Georgia has a modified comparative fault rule. You can recover damages if you were less than 50% fault for the damages. If you’re partially at fault, your damages would be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
If the courts award you punitive damages, the state takes 75% of those damages under Georgia Code § 51-12-5.1. To learn more about what to expect, talk to a Dunwoody car accident lawyer. Call (404) 400-4000 for a free consultation with John Foy & Associates.
How Long You Have to File
For personal injury claims in Georgia, you have two years from the injury date to file. If the damages are property-only, you have four years.
The clock starts ticking as soon as you are aware of the injuries or damage. Since vehicle defect cases are complicated, it’s best to start working on your case today.
Be sure to document your injuries from the beginning. Keep track of all costs and expenses. See a doctor as soon as possible. And talk to an experienced lawyer who can help you build a strong case for compensation.
Speak with a Dunwoody Car Accident Lawyer Today
You deserve a full recovery for an accident caused by defective design or manufacturing. John Foy & Associates is here to help. We have been helping injury victims for over 20 years, and we’re not afraid to fight for you.
Our lawyers do not charge you unless we win your case. So, you don’t have to worry about upfront costs or out-of-pocket fees. Schedule a free consultation today.
Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
