When Is the Car Manufacturer at Fault for a Car Accident?

Holding Auto Manufacturers Accountable for Defective Vehicle Injuries

When we buy a car, we expect it to be safe. Unfortunately, not all vehicles on the road meet that expectation. Some automakers rush to release vehicles without completing essential safety testing. Others may cut corners in the design or manufacturing process—putting drivers and passengers at risk. In some cases, vehicles are sold with components that are known to fail when they’re needed most.

While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 94% of serious crashes are caused by human error, that still leaves thousands of accidents caused by defective vehicle parts. When a defective design, manufacturing flaw, or lack of warning causes an accident and injuries, the vehicle manufacturer may be legally responsible.

Vehicle Manufacturers Must Prioritize Safety

Auto manufacturers are legally obligated to ensure the vehicles and components they release are safe for use. This includes everything from seatbelts and airbags to brakes, tires, fuel systems, steering mechanisms, and onboard computers.

Unfortunately, some manufacturers fail to meet this standard—either due to negligence or deliberate cost-cutting. In some cases, defects are known but not reported, and recalls are delayed to protect the company’s bottom line. Since 2009, automakers have paid hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties for failing to report dangerous defects to the public.

Common Vehicle Defects That Can Cause Serious Injuries

Defects in vehicles can compromise your safety and lead to catastrophic accidents. Common vehicle-related defects include:

• Steering Failures – Defective columns or power steering issues can cause loss of vehicle control.

• Airbag Malfunctions – Faulty airbags can fail to deploy—or deploy too forcefully—causing serious injury.

• Seatbelt Defects – A malfunctioning seatbelt can fail to restrain passengers during a crash.

• Fuel System Defects – These can cause fires or explosions following a collision.

• Tire Failures – Tread separation or blowouts can lead to rollovers or high-speed crashes.

• Computer Malfunctions – Faulty vehicle software can interfere with acceleration, braking, and more.

• Seatback Failures – Seats collapsing in rear-end crashes can cause injuries, especially to children.

• Wiring Issues – Electrical system failures can cause breakdowns or fires.

When Is a Car Manufacturer Liable?

Under Florida law, if a defective vehicle or part causes an accident, victims may be entitled to compensation through a product liability claim. You may be able to hold multiple parties responsible, including:

• The vehicle manufacturer

• The parts manufacturer

• The dealership or retailer who sold the vehicle or part

• A distributor or logistics company involved in transporting the defective product

Types of Product Defects

There are three main types of auto defects that can lead to legal liability:

1. Design Defects – The product is unsafe by design, even if built correctly.

2. Manufacturing Defects – A safe design was not properly executed during manufacturing.

3. Failure to Warn – The product lacked proper instructions or warnings about risks during normal use.

Legal Grounds for Holding Manufacturers Responsible

A vehicle manufacturer or seller can be held liable based on the following legal theories:

• Strict Liability – You don’t need to prove negligence. If the defect exists and caused injury, the manufacturer can be held liable.

• Negligence – The manufacturer failed to exercise reasonable care in design, production, or testing.

• Breach of Warranty – The product failed to live up to stated or implied safety assurances.

What You Need to Prove

To succeed in a defective product claim, your attorney must establish:

• The vehicle or part was defective in its design, manufacture, or warnings.

• You suffered an injury while using the product as intended.

• The defect directly caused your injury.

• You suffered damages that can be compensated under Florida law.

Evidence That Can Strengthen Your Case

In any auto defect case, preserving the vehicle in its post-accident condition is critical. Do not repair or dispose of your vehicle without speaking to a lawyer.

Other helpful evidence may include:

• Police reports

• Witness statements

• Manufacturer warnings and documentation

• Recalls or prior complaints involving the vehicle

• Medical records and expert testimony

• Photos, diagnostics, and repair estimates

What Compensation Can I Recover?

Defective vehicle claims can involve serious injuries, such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

• Spinal cord damage

• Burns and disfigurement

• Broken bones

• Paralysis

• Wrongful death

You may be eligible for compensation covering:

• Medical expenses (past and future)

• Lost wages and future earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Disability or disfigurement

• Loss of enjoyment of life

Let Our Team Fight for the Compensation You Deserve

Proving that a vehicle or part was defective isn’t easy. These cases require extensive investigation, expert analysis, and aggressive legal advocacy. At Applebaum Accident & Injury Law, we don’t back down from big manufacturers. If a defective vehicle or car part caused your injuries, we’ll fight to hold the responsible parties accountable and pursue the full compensation you’re owed.

We offer free consultations and don’t charge you anything unless we win.

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