Why Your Accident Might Have Been the Fault of an Auto Manufacturer

While most car accidents are the fault of one or more motorists involved in the accident, some car accidents are the fault of the auto manufacturer of your car as well. You might have a safety device that was supposed to deploy, but the device did not work due to negligence on the part of the manufacturer.

NHTSA Requirements

To reduce the risk of car accidents, the NHTSA requires that manufacturers report any defects they find within an allotted period of time. Unfortunately, because of how expensive a recall can be, many auto manufacturers do not recall their vehicles as they should.

Manufacturers have a duty to build cars that are safe and can be held financially liable for any accidents that result from negligence. You might expect an auto manufacturer to take your safety seriously, but some manufacturers will, unfortunately, choose to cut corners to save money.

How to Take Legal Action

Your car accident lawyer will conduct an investigation to find out exactly who was responsible for the accident. This can include the designer, manufacturer, or dealership. If you purchased the part or had your car recently serviced, the part manufacturer might be responsible for creating a defective part.

To receive compensation, you will need to prove that there was a defect or a failure to resolve a known defect, that you suffered an injury, that your injury was the result of the defect, and that you used the product as intended. For example, if you made modifications to your car that contributed to your accident, you may have a more difficult time winning your case.

You Can Also Pursue a Settlement From the Other Driver

The other driver might be partially responsible for your accident. Seeking compensation from multiple parties can be a good move because your damages might be higher than the policy limit of the other driver. You could sue the other driver, but if they do not have the assets to pay for your damages, this might not work.

However, filing a lawsuit against an auto manufacturer can be much more difficult because they often will have an army of lawyers who will be working for them. As a result, you will always want to pursue this type of case with the help of an auto accident law firm, such as Frank Penney Injury Lawyers. When you are able to present solid evidence, the auto manufacturer will have no choice but to compensate you for your injuries.