Automobile accidents can happen for several reasons. They are unpredictable and leave behind a significant physical and psychological impact. People usually buy cars only from a brand they trust. It is natural to expect that the safety functions in the car are up-to-date and will remain functional as long as they maintain the upkeep of these vehicles. When the system fails due to manufacturing error, it leads to severe injuries and, sometimes, even death.
When this happens, the victim or a loved one of the victim must contact a lawyer experienced in car accident cases. Car manufacturers’ negligence is a big issue in many car accident cases. Holding car manufacturers responsible is essential when their products are defective.
Here is how car manufacturers’ negligence leads to car accidents.
What is considered manufacturers’ negligence?
Car manufacturers fail to perform their duty of care in the following ways:
- Failure to inspect before selling
- Failure to detect a flaw in the product
- Insufficient testing
- Failure to warn of potential risks of a defective product
- Inability to recall faulty products from the market
How do these failures lead to car accidents?
- Defective accelerators
If a manufacturer’s negligence has led to a defective accelerator, it can be dangerous for drivers and passengers to use the vehicle. Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) refers to a sudden increase in speed without the driver pressing on the gas pedal. This sudden increase in speed can be dangerous and frightening for those in the vehicle. It is difficult to stop such an acceleration, even with brake pedals or emergency brakes. Accidents caused by SUA often result in severe injuries and death.
The following factors can cause defective acceleration:
- Electromagnetic interference
- Floor mats that block the path of the accelerator
- Sticky pedals that do not come back up after pressing
- Defects in accelerator linkage
- Defects in the electronic code
- Faulty seatbelts
Sometimes, manufacturers fail to test safety features before they place the product on the market. Faulty seatbelts are a common cause of manufacturers’ negligence. These faulty seatbelts can unbuckle suddenly, and if there were an accident, this would result in the driver’s or passenger’s fatal injury. In 2018, over 54,500 cars were recalled due to faulty seatbelts.
- Faulty airbags
Airbags are one of the most critical safety features in a vehicle. These airbags deploy from the front (steering wheel, dashboard, and front seat backs) and the sides (door panels). Airbags have one function: to prevent your upper body and head from hitting the car’s interior.
When the car manufacturers neglect proper care of the vehicle, the airbags can become faulty. They might not deploy in time and result in severe injuries. Sometimes, the defective airbags might even combust due to the high temperatures of a running vehicle. For instance, Takata airbags were found faulty, and millions of cars were recalled from the market.
- Faulty Brakes
Faulty brakes are another big reason for car accidents. Brake defects lead to severe injuries to everyone involved in the accident. It is dangerous for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike. Faulty brakes can be caused by the manufacturer or a recent servicing of your vehicle. Brakes can also become faulty upon impact. In this case, your lawyer can file a claim against every party involved.
- Faulty Ignition
A faulty ignition switch can cause problems like stalling and crashing. If an ignition switch fails to function, the car stops abruptly or fails to turn. In this case, if another vehicle were to crash into this car, airbags would fail to deploy, causing serious injuries to those in the car. Faulty ignition can cause problems like whiplash, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and more.
Conclusion
When a car manufacturer’s negligence causes a car accident, it is recommended that the victim take legal action against them. This can help recall defective products from the market, saving other lives. Taking legal action can also help victims of car accidents seek compensation for medical and recovery costs.
