The Intersection of Car Accidents and Product Liability: When Vehicle Defects Cause Crashes
When most people think of auto accidents, they picture a reckless driver running a red light or a distracted driver texting. But not all crashes are caused by driver error. Sometimes, the real culprit is the vehicle itself.
Defective car parts like faulty brakes can turn a routine drive into a life-threatening accident. In these cases, injured victims may have a claim against the manufacturer.
Understanding Product Liability in Car Accidents
Product liability law holds manufacturers responsible for ensuring their products are safe. That responsibility is critical when it comes to vehicles. Modern cars have thousands of parts, and just one defective component can lead to disaster.
A manufacturer may be liable if a defect makes a vehicle unreasonably dangerous and causes injury. Unlike most personal injury cases, you don’t always have to prove negligence. Most states recognize strict liability for defective products. This means manufacturers can be liable for injuries caused by dangerous products, regardless of fault.
Common Types of Vehicle Defects That Cause Accidents
Some of the most well-known vehicle recalls in recent decades have involved defects that caused crashes or made them deadlier.
Examples include:
- Defective airbags
- Faulty brakes
- Steering system defects
- Defective tires
- Electrical system failures
- Seatbelt malfunctions
Each defect can directly cause an accident or worsen injuries during a crash.
Real-World Examples of Vehicle Defect Cases
Vehicle defects have been at the center of some of the largest product liability lawsuits in U.S. history. Here are just a few recent high-profile recalls over defective components that caused crashes.
Defective General Motors Ignition Switches (2014)
The General Motors ignition switch recall involved switches that unexpectedly turned off engines and disabled airbags while driving. An investigation found that GM engineers became aware of the problem as early as 2001. The faulty switches were linked to 124 deaths.
Toyota Sudden Acceleration Cases (2009-2011)
More than 8 million Toyota vehicles were recalled due to sudden acceleration problems. Toyota settled many cases without admitting liability.
Sudden acceleration was linked to two problems:
- “Sticky” accelerator pedals that could stick in a partially depressed position
- Floor mat entrapment, a design flaw that allows the gas pedal to become trapped by the floor mat
These defects caused sudden acceleration in a series of accidents. Toyota agreed to pay a $1.2 billion penalty to avoid prosecution after covering up serious safety issues.
Rollaway Accidents Caused by Poor E-Shift Design (2016)
The electronic gear selector (e-shift) design on certain vehicles led to a recall of 812,000 vehicles. The 2014–2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee was one of the main vehicles affected.
The e-shift’s confusing design looked like a conventional shifter but worked like a joystick. It returned to a central position after every gear selection. There was also insufficient tactile or visual feedback, making it easy for drivers to accidentally exit without the transmission in Park. The defect was linked to at least 68 injuries and 266 crashes.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Vehicle Defect?
Multiple parties may be responsible for a vehicle defect accident, including:
- The vehicle manufacturer for design or manufacturing flaws
- The parts supplier if a specific component was defective
- The dealership, if they knew about the defect and sold the car anyway, or if there was an open recall, depending on the state
- Distributors or suppliers involved in the chain of commerce
In a typical car accident case, the injured party submits a claim with another driver’s insurance or sues the driver directly. The goal is to prove that the other driver’s negligence caused the crash.
In a product liability case, the target is often a much larger opponent, usually a car manufacturer. Instead of proving the manufacturer was negligent, most cases are brought under strict liability laws. The goal is to prove the crash was caused by a component with a design or manufacturing defect that made it dangerous.
These cases are generally more complex and may involve:
- Investigating whether other drivers have reported the same defect
- Reviewing recall notices, manufacturer communications, and internal testing reports
- Working with engineers and accident reconstruction experts to prove that the defect caused the crash
These cases often pit an injured consumer against a major corporation with deep pockets. They almost always require expert testimony, so it’s crucial to get legal representation right away.
Get Legal Help if You Might Have a Defective Car Equipment Case
Holding manufacturers accountable not only helps victims recover compensation but also pressures companies to improve safety standards and prevent future tragedies. If you suspect a defective vehicle part contributed to your crash, don’t wait. Preserve as much evidence as possible, then speak with an experienced attorney to explore legal options.