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COMMON VEHICLE DEFECTS THAT LEAD TO INJURIES AND CLAIMS

Some car accidents are the result of a vehicle defect, rather than a driver’s error or careless action.  In these cases, the process of recovering compensation involves filing an injury claim against various parties, which could include the auto manufacturer, the parts manufacturer or other party that could be held liable for what happened.

Auto product liability claims are complex cases, and require a full investigation into the accident and the vehicle. Often, the police do not identify a product defect as the cause of an accident and it isn’t uncovered until an independent investigation is conducted. It is imperative that the process be initiated as soon as possible after an accident so that no critical evidence is lost.

At Burch, George & Germany in Oklahoma City, our legal team operates with the core values of hard work, dedication, personal service to clients, and respect. We have earned respect in the legal community in Oklahoma, and are often called upon to educate other lawyers and law students in personal injury law issues. Call upon the professionals at our firm if you were injured in an accident caused by a faulty or defective auto part, vehicle or system.

Types of Vehicle Defects Leading to Injury Accidents

An auto part or system may be a manufacturing problem that affected many vehicles, or a single defective part. Some of the common types of vehicle defects that could lead to an injury accident include, but are not limited to:

Airbag Defects

Some airbags installed in vehicles have been recalled due to putting the driver at serious risk of injury. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 2.12 million vehicles were recalled due to safety issues associated with an airbag that may deploy at the wrong time. The automakers involved include Acura, Dodge, Jeep, Honda, Pontiac, and Toyota, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru.  Airbags manufactured by Takata have been recalled.

Defective Ignitions

GM has recalled 2.6 million vehicles due to a faulty ignition switch, according to Consumer Reports. The danger involves a heavy key ring or event that jars the vehicle. It could cause the ignition to go out of position, causing the vehicle to lose power. Without power, the power steering and brakes do not function correctly, and airbags may not deploy. The auto manufacturer said that at least 97 deaths and 12 confirmed cases of disabling injuries are connected to the defective ignition switches.

Defective Brakes

Brakes or brake lines that fail can leave a driver unable to control the vehicle, leading to a serious or deadly collision. If your brakes failed, get help from a product liability attorney to assist you to take legal action. GM issued a recall of certain 2004-2007 Cadillacs associated with brake line corrosion and subsequent failure.

Defective Tires

Tires can be manufactured with flaws. The flaw may occur in a large lot that is later recalled, or in a single defective tire. A sudden blowout can lead to an injury accident. The tire blowout must be evaluated by an expert to determine if the tire was defective.

Design Flaws

Some vehicles have design flaws that make the vehicle less crashworthy. A vehicle involved in a car accident that is not up to the federally imposed safety standards could lead to serious injury or death. Cases of rollovers involving SUVs or other vehicles with a high center of gravity, roof crush or other types of outcomes should be investigated to determine if a product liability case should be filed against the manufacturer. Oklahoma had 232 people killed in vehicle accidents involving rollovers in 2013, according to the NHTSA

Fuel System Defects

The NHTSA informs consumers of various recalls associated with fuel system defects from auto manufacturers, including Volkswagen, Nissan, and BMW. The fuel pump has improper plating which may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing risk of an accident or injury.

What Can a Product Liability Attorney do for You?

A vehicle defect case must be managed with the help of a skilled Oklahoma product liability attorney. Let an attorney at Burch, George & Germany evaluate your accident and advise you of your legal options. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident caused by a faulty or defective auto part or system, due to faulty design or other similar situation, we can answer your questions, and help you to pursue compensation from all liable parties, when the case has merit. Call now.

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