All vehicles should be safe to drive. Unfortunately, a mechanical error might occur that makes your vehicle dangerous to drive. If a car accident happens as a result, the manufacturer might be held liable for damages.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and carmakers issue recall information for specific makes and models that have mechanical or other safety issues that must be addressed. Most car recalls involve quick fixes that the carmaker can provide free of charge.
Whenever the NHTSA receives several complaints regarding the same mechanical issue on a particular make and model vehicle, it will issue a recall. A recall forces the manufacturer to provide customers with a fix at no charge to them.
An automaker has a legal duty of care to design and build safe vehicles. Providing you with a defective vehicle that causes an accident would breach that duty of care.
When a mechanical defect causes an accident, you (your lawyer) need to show how the defect caused the accident and how the manufacturer violated their duty of care. A professional mechanic could identify a defect. The manufacturer might have been aware of the defect and issued a recall that you ignored. If so, the manufacturer might say it made a reasonable effort to notify you to fix the problem.
It also is possible that the manufacturer ignored complaints regarding the mechanical defect. When a manufacturer ignores known issues, that could be proof of negligence and a violation of their duty of care.
Once it is established that the automaker violated their duty of care, it must be shown that it caused you harm. Repair or replacement costs, medical diagnoses of injuries, and related costs could prove you suffered harm from the mechanical failure.
Parts Manufacturers and Distributors Could Be Liable
Many automotive parts are made by third parties who have contracts with carmakers to make various parts and mechanical or electrical systems. Those parts manufacturers might be also held liable for making a defective part. Additionally, the distributors who provided the part for the automaker also might be partly liable for damages.
A lawyer can help you explore your legal options if you have been injured by a mechanical error. They will help determine who is responsible for the defective vehicle that caused your car accident and losses.
Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC Can Help You if Your Accident Was Caused by Mechanical Failure
If your car accident was caused by a defect, it is advisable to seek legal advice from one of our skilled Philadelphia car accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC. We can build a strong case against liable parties while protecting your rights. You can call us at 215-569-8488 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today. We are located in Philadelphia and Abington, Pennsylvania, as well as Wilmington, Delaware, and we proudly serve clients throughout the surrounding areas.