Car accidents are usually traced back to human error on the part of one or both drivers. In fact, that’s what most people assume when they are involved in a car accident. However, this isn’t always the case. Some accidents are actually caused by a third party who wasn’t even present at the scene of the crash.

Defective auto parts have been linked to a growing number of crashes over the years, and without an attorney, you may not know how to prove a defect or how to claim compensation from the manufacturer. If you’ve been hurt in an accident and you suspect a faulty part is to blame, let us help. Call Mann & Potter at 205-879-9661 to learn more about your options.

Defective Components Commonly Linked to Accidents

While any car component can be faulty, some are far more likely to cause crashes. Commonly reported defective auto parts include:

• Airbags
• Tires
• Brake and acceleration systems
• Car seats
• Steering systems
• Axles
• Seatbelts
• Roof supports

The injuries sustained by an individual depend largely on which part fails and where it breaks. A faulty tire falling apart on a residential road with a speed limit of 25 MPH will cause a much more minor accident than if the same were to happen on the freeway.

Defective parts may also finally fail because of an accident, rather than failing spontaneously. When this occurs, liability may be split between multiple parties. Similarly, some parts’ defects do not become apparent until there is an accident.

Consider, for example, a faulty seatbelt. When there is no pressure on it, the seatbelt appears to be functioning properly. During a minor crash, though, the seatbelt fails to restrain the rider and causes them to suffer a serious traumatic brain injury. While the driver who caused the initial crash is partially at fault, the manufacturer of the faulty seatbelt is also liable to some degree.

Faulty Design, Marketing, and Manuals

Not all defective auto parts cases relate to a physical part failing. In some situations, the parts are designed poorly, marketed incorrectly, or packaged with manuals that direct consumers to use or maintain them improperly. These issues are treated the same as if the parts themselves did not function as intended. When this happens, victims may be able to seek compensation from the company that designed or marketed the product, as well as the manufacturer that commissioned the design or marketing services.

What to Do If You Are Injured

When an accident first occurs, you may not even know that a defective auto part is partially or entirely responsible for the accident and your injuries. That’s why it’s important to get in touch with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. While you may think that you or the other driver have complete liability for the accident, a deeper investigation may uncover recalled auto parts, defective components, and other issues.

Do not admit fault. You may believe that you caused it, but remember, an investigation may show that part of your vehicle malfunctioned and caused the crash. If you’ve already admitted fault, though, it will be extremely hard to avoid paying out compensation to the other driver. You may also be unable to recover compensation from the parts manufacturer.

Claiming compensation from a vehicle manufacturer is often more complicated and time-consuming than recovering money from an auto insurance company. Your attorney will guide you through the process and help you gather the necessary evidence to prove your case.

Contact Mann & Potter for Help With Your Personal Injury Case

Have you been hurt in a car accident and you aren’t sure who’s to blame? You need the team at Mann & Potter to investigate your accident, build a case for you, and help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Get started now by calling us at 205-879-9661 or contacting us online.