Defective Vehicle Attorneys Holding Manufacturers Liable
Experienced legal help for those injured by defective cars in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin
If you are injured in a car accident in Texas or throughout the state because of a vehicle safety flaw, an experienced vehicle defect attorney can discuss your options and determine liability. Car and truck manufacturers are responsible for ensuring the safety and reliability of their vehicles. When vehicles with design flaws and safety issues make it onto our roads and highways, serious accidents and injuries can occur.
Even if you’ve already presented a personal injury claim, you may still make a legal claim for injuries resulting from an auto defect. However, proving liability in a vehicle defect case is a complex matter. Only experienced vehicle defect attorneys, like the team at Slack Davis Sanger, can help you navigate state and federal laws to determine the best and most successful way to handle your claim.
"Can't say enough about this law firm. I have known John Jose personally and professionally for over 20 years. We have collaborated and tried several cases to a successful resolution. He along with Dillon Vaughan are always prepared and ready. I wholeheartedly recommend them for complex jury litigation" - Coby Wooten, Colleague
What is a vehicle defect?
A vehicle defect is a design flaw or manufacturing error that results in safety issues. Any vehicle part or material used during the manufacturing process that compromises the structural integrity of an automobile can be defective. Defects include design flaws, structural issues, or failed vehicle safety parts.
A vehicle that does not meet safety standards is a danger to its occupants. If that vehicle is involved in a crash, the result can be serious injury or death. Vehicle items such as roof assembly, seatbelts, and airbags are part of the main components of a car’s safety system. The ability of a vehicle’s safety mechanisms to protect you in the event of an accident is known as its crashworthiness.
When a vehicle is not crashworthy because of a flaw in its safety devices, it is considered to be a defective vehicle. Although any part of a vehicle can malfunction and cause a crash or collision, certain types of defects tend to happen more than others.
Some of the more common vehicle defects that cause serious injury include:
Defective airbags—which can be one of the most dangerous defects to drivers and passengers. An airbag must deploy at the exact right moment, and if it fails, passengers may have no protection during a high-speed collision. Conversely, if an airbag deploys randomly, drivers can lose control of their vehicle.
Faulty brakes—are another common vehicle defect that can cause rear-end collisions or loss of control. Many drivers do not realize their brakes are malfunctioning until they need to stop, which is often too late.
Defective tires—when manufactured or repaired improperly, can be prone to splitting. When tires are worn down, the treads can separate or blow out, causing loss of control or serious highway crashes.
Electrical malfunctions—can cause any component of the vehicle to fail or even catch fire, resulting in crashes and burn injuries.
Steering system failure—another vehicle defect that can cause loss of control without any warning. When a steering system freezes up or otherwise malfunctions, serious accidents can result.
Seatbelt failure—can lead to fatal injuries when they fail, passengers can be ejected from the car and suffer catastrophic injuries. However, seatbelts that fail to unlock after a collision can trap passengers in a vehicle after a dangerous accident.
Roof structure failure—can occur during a vehicle rollover and cause severe spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or death.
When the auto defect attorneys at Slack Davis Sanger take your case, they immediately launch an investigation into why and how your accident happened, including determining if any vehicle defects were to blame.
How do vehicle defects occur?
Although many car and truck crashes happen due to driver negligence and error, others occur from vehicle-related issues like defective parts. The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 set regulations for safety standards regarding the design and assembly of cars and trucks. If manufacturers fail to follow the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act standards, they can be found liable for any injuries and fatalities resulting from defects.
Automotive defects can occur during any point in the build process, which includes design, manufacturing, and marketing.
A design defect means that the product, or vehicle, is dangerous due to its original design, and will be unsafe for use in every manufacturing run. Our attorneys will work to show that the vehicle manufacturer was aware of a safer design that would have reduced the safety risk to consumers.
A manufacturing defect occurs when the construction or overall quality of the vehicle deviated enough from its original design that it resulted in an unreasonably dangerous design.
Finally, a marketing defect means the consumer received inadequate warnings of safety risks regarding the vehicle, or insufficient/improper instructions on operating and maintaining the vehicle, making it extremely dangerous to operate or drive.
If an automobile manufacturer is made aware of safety issues but fails to address them and minimize risks, they can be found liable under Texas laws for any injuries that result. The knowledgeable vehicle defect attorneys at Slack Davis Sanger can discuss your case and determine whether an automobile defect contributed to your accident.
What should I do if my vehicle is recalled?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues vehicle safety recalls when it is determined that the vehicle or its parts do not meet federal safety regulations. Recalls can include anything from an ignition system to a headrest.
If your vehicle is recalled, the manufacturer must notify you by mail within 60 days with information on the defect and how to get it repaired. You should never be required to pay for a recall. By law, the car or truck manufacturer must offer one of three things – a repair, a replacement, or a refund on the defective part. You can also search the NHTSA website at any time to check for a recalled vehicle.
Our vehicle and parts defect attorneys can help Texas clients recover compensation if a defective car or truck caused their injuries and losses.
How do vehicle defects occur?
Although many car and truck crashes happen due to driver negligence and error, others occur from vehicle-related issues like defective parts. The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 set regulations for safety standards regarding the design and assembly of cars and trucks. If manufacturers fail to follow the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act standards, they can be found liable for any injuries and fatalities resulting from defects.
Automotive defects can occur during any point in the build process, which includes design, manufacturing, and marketing.
A design defect means that the product, or vehicle, is dangerous due to its original design, and will be unsafe for use in every manufacturing run. Our attorneys will work to show that the vehicle manufacturer was aware of a safer design that would have reduced the safety risk to consumers.
A manufacturing defect occurs when the construction or overall quality of the vehicle deviated enough from its original design that it resulted in an unreasonably dangerous design.
Finally, a marketing defect means the consumer received inadequate warnings of safety risks regarding the vehicle, or insufficient/improper instructions on operating and maintaining the vehicle, making it extremely dangerous to operate or drive.
If an automobile manufacturer is made aware of safety issues but fails to address them and minimize risks, they can be found liable under Texas laws for any injuries that result. The knowledgeable vehicle defect attorneys at Slack Davis Sanger can discuss your case and determine whether an automobile defect contributed to your accident.
What should I do if my vehicle is recalled?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues vehicle safety recalls when it is determined that the vehicle or its parts do not meet federal safety regulations. Recalls can include anything from an ignition system to a headrest.
If your vehicle is recalled, the manufacturer must notify you by mail within 60 days with information on the defect and how to get it repaired. You should never be required to pay for a recall. By law, the car or truck manufacturer must offer one of three things – a repair, a replacement, or a refund on the defective part. You can also search the NHTSA website at any time to check for a recalled vehicle.
Our vehicle and parts defect attorneys can help Texas clients recover compensation if a defective car or truck caused their injuries and losses.
How does a vehicle recall affect a product liability lawsuit in Texas?
If a product that caused your injuries was defective, it’s usually a good bet that your accident was not the first involving that product. Consumers regularly notify manufacturers about defective products. Consumers also notify federal agencies such as the NHTSA and the Consumer Product Safety Administration (CPSC). Manufacturers and agencies are also often notified of product defects when lawsuits are filed by injured users of the products.
Manufacturers have a responsibility to address any known dangers. Proper resultant actions include warning customers of dangers and making any necessary repairs. If a federal agency or manufacturer issues a recall, then the manufacturer is required to make repairs to any existing affected products.
There is no requirement that a recall be issued in order to file a product liability claim. The recall is meant to protect consumers from further accidents. The failure of a company to respond to a known recall may be grounds for seeking punitive damages.
Who is liable for my defective vehicle accident damages?
Car and truck manufacturers have a responsibility to provide consumers with safe, dependable, crash-worthy vehicles. If a vehicle fails in some way due to an automotive defect, the manufacturer may be liable for the resulting crash and injuries.
No one anticipates being injured in an accident, especially when the cause appears to be mechanical. Determining liability based on Texas law can be a complex issue, especially if your injuries are a result of a vehicle defect.
Whether your accident was the result of a structural flaw or a failed safety device, our vehicle defect attorneys will hold automobile manufacturers accountable for your injuries.
How can a Texas defective vehicle attorney help?
With over three decades of experience, Slack Davis Sanger knows how to take on negligent auto manufacturers and win. We work to recover compensation for your injuries and losses by first connecting your accident to the defective or recalled vehicle, showing it was the defect (and not your actions) that caused the crash.
Our legal team also helps preserve all evidence related to the crash, including your damaged vehicle. We collect all police reports, photographs, video, and witness statements regarding the accident, as well as employ our own investigators to determine why your vehicle malfunctioned.
Finally, we work side-by-side with our clients every step of the way. Our attorneys take the time to understand the scope of your injuries and losses and work to secure the proper and fair amount of compensation to which you are entitled. This can include past and future medical expenses, lost income, future ability to work, pain and suffering, and other costs associated with your accident.
Contact our respected vehicle defect attorneys today
If you or a loved one were injured in a wreck caused by a defective vehicle part, the attorneys at Slack Davis Sanger are ready to help. Our experienced trial lawyers are not afraid to take on car and truck manufacturers when they put unsafe vehicles on the road. To schedule a free consultation at one of our offices in Austin, Dallas, or Fort Worth, please call 800-455-8686.