You are likely very aware of the risk of traffic related incidents when you take to the road. However, you may not be aware of defects in your car or truck that can make it unsafe to drive. In this article, the experienced product liability attorneys at Powell & Associates share some common auto defects that can lead to accidents on Atlanta, GA roadways.
Auto defect claims can involve multiple parties and can be quite complex. So, if you’ve been injured in a car accident that you suspect is due to an auto defect, call Powell & Associates for a free legal consultation.
Two Categories of Auto Defects
There are two major types of auto defects that could affect your vehicle: design defects and manufacturing defects. A design defect occurs during the blueprint stage, or while the product is still being designed, and impacts the entire product line. A manufacturing defect happens due to an error during the assembly process and often only impacts a subclass of vehicles, such as all those made in a specific model year.
Read on to learn more about some of the most common auto defects that can lead to accidents on Atlanta, GA roadways.
Airbag Defects
The airbags in some vehicles can be defective and can harm the driver or passenger when deployed. The Takata air bag recall is an example of a large-scale airbag recall that impacted vehicles manufactured by 19 different automakers according to a consumerreports.org article. The NHTSA reports that the Takata airbag defect has caused at least 24 deaths and 300 injuries. While not all auto defects are this pervasive, there are still many other common issues that you should look out for.
Fuel System Defects
A fuel system defect can occur when a manufacturer error causes the fuel pump to function improperly causing the vehicle to stall. Improper design or manufacturing can also impact the fuel system making more susceptible to damage and leaks that can cause fires in the event of a crash.
Seat and Seatbelt Defects
Car seats or seatbacks are defective when they suddenly fail by collapsing in the event of an accident. Likewise, seatbelts can have a defect that causes them to unlock when the vehicle has been in a collision. Both seat and seatbelt defects compromise the safety of the vehicle’s driver and passengers.
Wiring Defects and Electrical System Issues
Defects in the electrical system or with the wiring of your vehicle can also cause problems and lead to accidents. A wiring defect can cause vital systems in your vehicle to fail, such as your headlights going out. Electrical system issues can lead to unexpected fires also putting you at risk on the road.
Contact Powell & Associates if You’ve Suffered an Injury in an Auto Defect-Related Accident
Powell & Associates encourages you to stay aware of NHTSA recalls due to the auto defects mention here as well as many other possible manufacturing or design flaws. If you’ve been in an accident caused by an auto defect, be sure to contact us right away. Depending upon the nature of the auto defect, multiple parties could be held responsible, and Powell & Associates can help you navigate the process of recovering the compensation you’re due. Contact us today for a free legal consultation.