Sometimes the reasons for a motor vehicle accident are obvious. A car blows through a stop sign. A speeding driver brakes too fast on wet pavement. Someone has too many beers before getting behind the wheel. Other times, the reasons aren’t clear without further investigation, such as when the blame lies with the car itself. Any part can be defective, but when one that is integral to the car’s operation is poorly designed or poorly made, the consequences can be disastrous. In just the past few years, there have been recalls on parts ranging from airbags to tires, ignition switches to gear shifters.
If you have been injured in a car accident, or if such an accident has proven injurious or fatal to someone you love, the Philadelphia defective car lawyers of Wapner Newman can review your case and advise you whether you have grounds to seek financial compensation. You may be able to file a claim to recover your losses, including medical expenses, property damage, loss of current and future earnings, loss of future enjoyment, and pain and suffering. Serving communities throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, our Eastern PA injury attorneys invite you to discuss your unique situation by calling us at 1-800-LAW-6600 or filling out a free case evaluation form. We have been successfully representing clients injured in a variety of personal injury accidents for more than 40 years. Let us help you.
The car was not made properly.
The car’s design was flawed.
The manufacturer knew there was problem, but did not properly warn consumers of the danger.
When the design or production of a vehicle causes an injury or a fatality, or makes injuries more severe, it’s possible for victims or their families to file a products liability claim. In such situations, there are many possible defendants, and it’s important to include all participants in the “chain of distribution” of the car or car part involved. Common parties include car manufacturers, parts manufacturers, car dealerships, parts supply stores, and shippers.
When a problem is identified in a model of car, a recall is often issued in response. Recalls may come from the manufacturer voluntarily or may be prompted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Typically, they involve taking your car to a local dealer who has been informed by the manufacturer how to fix the issue. These repairs are completed at no cost to the consumer, but far too many cars – roughly one-third – are never brought in. That leaves millions of potentially dangerous vehicles on the road.
Vehicle recalls in the U.S. hit a record high in 2015 with 51.2 million units affected over 868 separate recalls. In 2014, manufacturers recalled 51 million vehicles through 779 recalls. Recalls just from the first six months of 2016 demonstrate the range of things that can go wrong, including lower control arms that can break from corrosion (Kia Sedona), malfunctioning self-driving software (Infiniti Q50), seatbelts that can break after repeated use (Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra), fluid leaks that can lead to loss of braking (Ford F-150), failing piston pin snap rings that can cause engines to stall (Honda Civic), unconnected ignition key/transmission interlock wiring that poses a rollaway threat (Toyota Scion FR-S), and hood latch failures that can cause hoods to open during driving (Subaru Tribeca). Nearly 70 million Takata airbags in U.S. cars have been or will be recalled as part of a massive safety problem spread across 13 different automakers and estimated to affect at least 20 percent of the 260 million cars on the road.
If you are curious about your car or simply want to be more proactive, you can search by model or VIN on the NHTSA site, which will display your car’s custom information.
If you were injured or a loved one was killed in an auto wreck, trust your case to the defective automobile attorneys at Wapner Newman. We have the resources to thoroughly investigate and analyze all possible causes of the crash as well as all potentially liable parties. For almost four decades, we have been the trusted advocates for countless personal injury victims and their families throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We offer risk-free consultations and work on a contingency basis, which means that we do not require you to pay any fees until we have secured a recovery on your behalf. We encourage you to contact us today by calling 1-800-LAW-6600 or filling out a free case evaluation form.