Car defects are often not discovered in time, but if you have been a victim of a defective car part and suffered an accident while driving, then you may be able to receive compensation. If a defective part causes a car accident, it can benefit you to know what to do, depending on the situation. In this article, we provide more information on how to take of the situation and how you can speak with a professional to help you regarding the accident.
Common Car Defects that can Cause an Accident
- Faulty airbag deployment system
If a vehicle manufacturer knew that the airbags could fail to deploy when they should, they could be held liable if their defective part caused an accident.
- Crashes because of faulty braking systems
If your vehicle did not have adequate braking power or your brakes failed altogether, and you were forced to hit another vehicle, that is considered a crash. Since the crux of this article concerns defective parts, we will not go into this topic further.
- Faulty steering systems
If you lost control over your vehicle while driving because of an engine defect or a problem with the steering mechanism, you had a crash. You can seek compensation from the manufacturer or distributor of the car part in question.
- Faulty electrical systems
If your vehicle loses power due to a battery or other electrical components defect, that is considered a crash, especially if you were forced to hit another vehicle while traveling at high speed, which would lead to an accident regardless of how powerful your brakes were or how safe your car was.
What to Do If a Defective Part Causes a Car Accident
Here is a list of steps you will have to take, depending on your situation:
- Find out if you can bring a lawsuit against car manufacturers
If you were not at fault for causing the accident, consulting with an attorney to determine whether or not you can file a lawsuit against car manufacturers is highly recommended. Consumer Protection Safety Commission has compiled a list of safety recalls categorized by year and manufacturer. You will have to search and confirm what year your vehicle was manufactured and then contact the relevant manufacturers for a recall.
- Contact the vehicle’s manufacturer or distributor
Once you have contacted the company, you can ask them to provide you with their accident report from any recently sold vehicles. If your car is listed in their database, they have already compensated customers injured due to a car defect, so you may be entitled to compensation.
- Talk to an attorney
Attorneys can help you determine whether or not it is possible to sue car manufacturers over defective parts. There may be a variety of factors that play into your decision, such as how much the settlement will be, and the time it will take to have your case heard in court.
- Contact the insurance company
Regardless of whether you are at fault for the accident or if you have been injured, you may be able to file a claim for property damage or injuries with your insurance provider. You will have to retain copies of receipts for any medical expenses incurred, receipts for any damages done to property caused by accident, and copies of police reports.
It is essential to know what to do if a car accident occurs, no matter the circumstances. It is in your best interest and that of the community to file a claim against car manufacturers and distributors as soon as possible, regardless of whether you are at fault. If you have been injured because of a car defect, you must consult with an attorney and file a claim with your insurance provider. Car accident claims can be long and confusing, but with a personal injury lawyer by your side, you will have a much better chance of receiving the compensation you are entitled to.
