Not all car accidents result from the errors of other drivers. An alarming number of motor vehicle accidents and injuries come from auto defects, or mistakes the vehicle or parts manufacturer made during production. Drivers in Tampa Bay take the safety of their vehicles for granted, believing them to be safe for operation straight from the assembly line. Unfortunately, manufacturers’ mistakes can make cars, motorcycles, trucks, and vans inherently dangerous. If an auto defect caused your injury, come to the Tampa Bay auto defects lawyer at Fiol & Morros Law Group for help.
Proving a Defective Automobile Case
Product liability cases are typically easier to prove than other cases involving personal injuries in Tampa, since there is no burden of proof for the defendant’s negligence. In car accident or truck accident cases involving auto defects, accident victims do not need to prove that the manufacturer was negligent in the design or in the manufacturing of a vehicle or part. Instead, the plaintiff needs only prove that he or she suffered an injury and that this injury was a direct result of an auto defect.
Fiol & Morros Law Group may be able to help you prove your defective automobile case against a vehicle manufacturer, parts manufacturer, or distributor. We have years of product liability experience in the Tampa Bay area, and we understand the local laws and standards of care vehicle manufacturers owe to customers. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your auto defect case in more detail with a caring auto accident lawyer at Fiol & Morros Law Group, and find out if we believe you have a case. Filing a lawsuit could end in you getting compensated for your pain and suffering, disability, emotional distress, and medical bills.
Common Types of Auto Defects
A number of things can go wrong during any phase of a vehicle’s manufacture. Major vehicle manufactures rely on several different parts suppliers and distributors during production, as well as scores of workers and machines to put vehicles together. Manufacturing errors at any stage can lead to defects in the body, frame, brakes, electrical system, engine, exhaust system, fuel system, or the interior of a vehicle.
Manufacturing errors are mistakes made during assembly that make one vehicle defective, or not like the others. Design defects, on the other hand, are issues with a product’s design that makes it inherently dangerous. Both are forms of product liability cases. Three common types of auto defects that can cause significant user harm or death are:
- Airbag failure. Airbags are a critical part of a vehicle’s crash-worthiness. When a defective airbag does not open during a crash, it can result in serious injury or death. Conversely, airbags opening for no reason or with too great a force can cause car accidents and major injuries. Airbag failure can lead to injuries to the face, neck, head, eyes, brain, and spine injuries.
- Seat belt failure. Defective seat belts may not latch properly, resulting in them coming open during a crash. A seat belt may also fail to lock as it should, allowing the occupant to bounce around or strike the sides or ceiling of a vehicle in an accident. Seat belt failure takes away the most important safety feature of a vehicle.
- Rollover accidents. Many rollover accidents are the result of an auto defect within the brake or suspension systems. Defective auto parts can make a vehicle unstable, causing it to flip and rollover when it should be able to remain upright. Defective parts associated with rollovers include bad tires, weak roofs, and component part failures.
Several things can go wrong within a motor vehicle to make it unsafe for operation, but not all are grounds for a product liability lawsuit. However, preventable manufacturing errors contribute to many Tampa Bay auto accidents and devastating personal injuries. Victims who believe a product defect caused a car accident and resulting injuries should speak to a product liability attorney. Reach out to an experienced auto defects lawyer from Fiol & Morros Law Group today.