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If another driver hits you in Alpharetta, your first instinct is to blame the driver. However, sometimes design or manufacturing defects are the cause. In this situation, we urge you to contact an Alpharetta car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Car manufacturers have a legal duty to put out safe products. But defects or errors can sometimes happen. If one of these issues causes a car accident that injures you, you have rights. You might be entitled to compensation for your costs.
John Foy & Associates knows how to handle car accident cases involving the defective design or manufacture of vehicles or their parts. We have over 20 years of experience in fighting for injury victims. To get a FREE consultation, call (404) 400-4000, or contact us online.
Examples of Vehicle Defects or Manufacturing Issues
Car defects are not always simple to identify. The key is determining how the issues contributed to your accident. Your lawyer can help you pin down what errors existed.
If the issues involve your own car, you can have its problems evaluated. If the defects exist in the other driver’s car, proving them will be more difficult. Talk to your attorney about how to gather evidence of the issues.
Let’s look at some of the most common car manufacturing and design problems that cause accidents.
Car Defects That Can Cause Accidents
Here are some of the most common accident-causing auto defects that we see:
- Faulty brakes
- Defective tires
- Steering failure
- Unexpected acceleration
- Malfunctioning airbags (either not deploying or deploying unexpectedly)
- Brake-shift interlock device failure
- Cruise control defects
- Poor vehicle stability
- Defective ignition
You will need to investigate what caused the accident. From there, you can determine where the issue started. You will need to know whose negligence led to the problems.
Car Crashworthiness Defects
Vehicle manufacturers must make sure all cars have excellent crashworthiness. Crashworthiness is about decreasing severe injuries and deaths in accidents. Unfortunately, crashes do happen. When they do occur, vehicles should keep occupants as safe as possible.
Car crashworthiness issues can include:
- Airbag failure
- Seatback collapse
- Inadequate seatbelt support
- Unsafe roof design
- Crumple zone issues
- Defective door locks
If a car’s crashworthy features don’t work as they should, the manufacturer could be responsible. Seat belt problems, driver ejection, and airbag defects can be crashworthy defects during an accident.
The above are just a few examples. Talk to your car accident lawyer about what you suspect caused your accident. Your lawyer will know how to investigate the design and manufacture of the vehicle or its parts.
What Georgia Law Says About Vehicle Design Defects
Vehicle defects fall under Georgia’s product liability laws (Georgia Code Section 51-1-11). A manufacturer is responsible for injuries if they made a property that “was not merchantable and reasonably suited to the use intended.”
In other words, cars should work as the manufacturer intends them to work. If that doesn’t happen and the user gets hurt, the manufacturer is liable. When a defect causes an accident, the manufacturer could be responsible for all crash injuries.
It’s best to get started on your case as soon as possible. Start saving proof of your damages and the accident. Get prompt medical treatment. Contact a car accident lawyer who can help protect your rights from the beginning.
Building Your Defective Design Accident Case
You do not have to prove that you bought the car or its parts to have a case. However, you will need to show that:
- The vehicle or its components were defective when the accident happened.
- The flawed design or manufacturing caused your injuries.
- The car was in the same condition when it left the manufacturer.
- You (or the other driver) used the vehicle or its components as the manufacturer intended it.
You might also have a case if a loved one died in this way. Talk to a lawyer about filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the manufacturer.
It’s also important to rule out maintenance issues. A driver could have neglected their vehicle’s maintenance. Or, a mechanic could have performed faulty service. Either of these scenarios might also lead to an accident.
John Foy & Associates can walk you through all of your legal options. We do not charge a fee unless we win your case, so there is no risk to you. To get a FREE consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Determining Fault for an Accident Caused by Defective Design or Manufacturing
The manufacturer is not always at fault. Other at-fault parties in your accident could be:
- The shipping or distribution company
- A new or used car dealership
- An auto parts shop
- Another driver
Sometimes, more than one party is at fault. For example, the manufacturer and another driver could both be partially to blame. Maybe another driver hit you, and your car’s defects contributed to your injuries.
These cases can be complicated, so talk to an experienced lawyer. Your lawyer can investigate the accident cause and who was at fault. From there, they can build a strong personal injury claim.
Damages You Can Claim From Your Accident
If you were not at fault, you can seek compensation for damages like:
- Doctor bills
- Hospital bills
- Prescription medications
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
If the defect affects a whole line of vehicles, you might be able to join a class-action lawsuit. Talk to your Alpharetta car accident lawyer about your legal options.
Your lawyer will calculate your total damages, including future medical costs. If someone else caused your accident injuries, you shouldn’t have to pay.
Talk to an Alpharetta Car Accident Lawyer for Free Today
At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping injured individuals for over 20 years. Our number one priority is getting you the fullest compensation possible. Plus, there is no charge to you unless we win.
Contact us today, and we’ll start with a FREE consultation. Call us at (404) 400-4000, or contact us online today. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call.
