Undoubtedly, driver error is the most common reason behind auto accidents. Sometimes, a driver fails to check their blind spot, or hit the brakes in time, while other times, they are driving under the influence, or fail to judge the effects of the surrounding conditions like snow on the road or limited visibility due to fog. However, there are cases where the driver is not at fault, and the accident is caused due to defective vehicle parts. According to the NHTSA, about 44,000 of all auto accidents occur due to vehicle factors each year.
A seatbelt is the most essential part of vehicle safety equipment that holds the driver and passengers in their seats. If it unlatches during an accident, an occupant can hit the dashboard, steering wheel, windows, or eject right through the windshield, causing serious injuries. There is another possibility that seatbelts may break in an accident, reducing the amount of protection and resulting in the same damages as unlatching.
One of the worst things that can happen while driving a car is brake failure, especially on busy roads. This defect can cause loss of control over the vehicle and result in serious car accidents.
There are several defects related to airbags. During an accident, if the airbags fail to deploy, this can increase the number of injuries that could otherwise be avoided. In the case where the airbag deployed when it shouldn’t have, it can become the cause of the accident, and can also cause bruises and burns.
Another possibility is that the airbags are deployed too fast, causing injuries. The main purpose of airbags is to reduce the impact of an auto accident, not to cause more damage. If an airbag deploys with too much force, it can result in multiple fractures and even death.
If the power steering fails while driving, there is a good chance that you will be able to quickly adapt to the change in force needed for using the steering wheel. However, the situation can become dangerous on turns where powering steering failure may result in the application of inadequate or excessive force, causing a car crash.
If there is a defect in your vehicle’s electrical system, it can start a fire. This is quite rare, but there have been cases where short circuits in electrical system wiring have caused the entire vehicle to engulf in flames.
You can lose control over your vehicle, if one of the tires explodes suddenly. Usually, this happens when the car is moving at a high speed. Moreover, improper tread ware can also result in reduced gas mileage, steering loss, and other situations.
Auto accidents due to faulty vehicle parts makes litigation against the responsible party quite complex, as it involves many different factors. It is important to hire a reliable auto accident attorney to help you gather evidence and build a strong case. Contact Fisk & Monteleone LTD. today at 815-209-9030 to schedule a free case consultation with one of our experienced auto accident lawyers.