Florida’s roadways may be unpredictable, but what happens when the unpredictability stems from within your vehicle? Mechanical defects in vehicles can lead to dangerous situations, resulting in accidents that cause injury and even fatalities.
Many drivers don’t realize that they may have a claim if a car manufacturer created an unsafe vehicle. If you’re injured in an accident, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation to discuss your potential claim.
Understanding Mechanical Defects
Mechanical defects include any issues that can happen within a vehicle’s components, systems, or manufacturing. These include faulty brakes, defective tires, malfunctioning steering systems, and problems with acceleration and faulty airbags. Such defects can compromise the vehicle’s performance and driver control, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Defects in cars, trucks, and other vehicles can be caused by the following.
- Manufacturing Errors: Flaws during the production process, such as inadequate quality control, can lead to defects that manifest later.
- Design Deficiencies: Poorly designed components or systems can make a vehicle prone to malfunctions, even when assembled correctly.
- Lack of Maintenance: Improper maintenance can exacerbate existing defects or even cause new problems over time.
- Material Quality: Subpar materials used during manufacturing can result in components that fail prematurely.
Manufacturers may issue recalls after discovering widespread defects, often after accidents have occurred. In some cases, though, you might not know about a defect because a manufacturer may have decided not to issue a recall yet.
Car Accidents and Defects
Mechanical defects can lead to accidents in various ways.
- Loss of Control: Malfunctioning brakes, steering, or acceleration systems can lead to a driver losing control of the vehicle, resulting in collisions.
- Tire Blowouts: Defective tires can suddenly blow out, causing drivers to lose control and potentially collide with other vehicles.
- Airbag Failures: Faulty airbags may not deploy during a collision, increasing the risk of injury to drivers and passengers.
- Sudden Stalls: Engine or transmission problems can cause vehicles to stall unexpectedly, leading to accidents in high-speed traffic or dangerous locations.
If you’ve been involved in an accident due to a mechanical defect, you may be able to seek compensation for car repairs, medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.
You may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of the defective component or vehicle. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their products, and defects can lead to legal liability.
If the defect was caused by a lack of proper maintenance, repair, or installation, you might have a negligence claim against a mechanic or repair shop.
To file the right claim, it’s important to work with an experienced Florida car accident claims attorney. Your attorney looks out for your best interests, investigates your accident, finds all liable parties, and works to get you fair financial recovery. You’re freed to focus on rebuilding your life.
The father-son attorney team at Flaxman Law Group have already helped thousands of injured people. Our team has more than 60 years of combined experience and a track record of securing over $100 million for those who have been injured. Contact our Miami, Homestead, and Hollywood offices today if you’re injured because of a car accident. You can reach us at 866-352-9626 to schedule your free, no obligation consultation with one of our Florida car accident claims lawyers.