The Different Types of Auto Defects
Alarmingly, there are many ways that your car could malfunction. These defects and malfunctions can quickly turn fatal, especially if they result from a serious car accident.
If your car hasn’t been inspected recently, we highly encourage that you check your manual and visit your mechanic if you are nearing an inspection date.
Knowing that your vehicle is in peak condition can not only give you peace of mind but also ensures that you are properly protected while on the road.
Potential defects to be aware of include:
- Weak roofs
- Poor seat designs
- Defective or cracked tires
- Malfunctioning airbags
- Worn down or improperly installed brakes
- Seat belt failures
- Fuel system defects
Some of these defects may be the cause of your accident, such as the failed brakes or popped tires, but others could malfunction during an accident, such as a weak roof or a failed seat belt.
In either scenario, the malfunction could be catastrophic, leaving you with serious injuries.
Over $50M Recovered in the Past Seven Years
At the Tenge Law Firm LLC, our goal is to achieve the best possible result for our clients as soon as possible. Each case and each client is different, so we work directly with clients to meet their needs for medical care and personal situations. We have enjoyed great success, with exceedingly high client satisfaction, using this approach.
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$3,250,000 Rollover auto accident involving defective roof and serious injuries
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$1,500,000 Tire blowout on I-70 causing serious injuries
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$1,475,000 Auto accident with head, neck and back injuries
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$1,350,000 Auto accident with orthopedic injuries to foot, ankle, and leg
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$1,250,000 Wrongful Death
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$1,250,000 Lower Leg Orthopedic Injury Resulting in Surgery
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$1,100,000 Construction site accident
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$1,050,000 Trucking accident with low back injuries
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$1,025,000 Motorcycle accident resulting in traumatic brain injury and orthopedic injuries
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$950,000 Car accident with brain injury and orthopedic injuries
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$750,000 Policy Limits – Low speed auto accident leading to minor stroke
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$533,000 Trial Verdict - Client hit by airborne patio umbrella with facial scar and concussion.
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$450,000 Pedestrian hit by car
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$300,000 Four-car accident resulting in vertebral fracture and facial injuries
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$200,000 Auto accident with facial injuries
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$120,000 Slip-and-fall at fast food restaurant
Hundreds of 5-star Reviews. Exceptional Results
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"Definitely made it a stress-free experience"
Brenda was my attorney. She was amazing, helped me through the whole process. Definitely made it a stress-free experience, especially after going through something so traumatic! Was extremely attentive and always kept me updated on how my case was going! I would 1000% recommend them to everyone and anyone!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
- Zitlaly O. -
"Everyone is extremely nice & very efficient"
I highly recommend this law firm! They take care of everything in a timely manner & alleviate any harassment while you recover from injuries. Everyone is extremely nice & very efficient...if you need an attorney, Tenge Law is the place to go!
- Betty C. -
"Would highly recommend to anyone!!"
Tenge Law Firm helped me out when I was in a accident that involved my whole family. They were great and fast with the entire process, and were awesome at keeping me updated throughout the entire process. Would highly recommend to anyone!!
- Zack K. -
"They treated me like family"
Todd, Liz and Nina were amazing. They handled my case very professionally. I recommend this law firm to anyone looking for a great firm. They treated me like family
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"They were extremely responsive and answered my questions very well."
Paige and Nina were a delight to work with. They were extremely responsive and answered my questions very well. They made me feel like I was in good hands and could trust them!
- Rachel V.
The Dangers of a Defective Car
A defective auto part can cause serious damage, just as any car accident can be. The problem is that it is hard to anticipate a defective auto part accident. When you see a truck heading your way, you can try to veer to the side.
While it may not prevent the accident altogether, it may at least limit the level of damage.
Similarly, if the car in front of you comes to a sudden stop, the brake lights can give you enough of a warning to slam on your own brakes.
You may not be able to come to a complete stop, but you can at least slow down slightly.
However, an auto defect is impossible to predict. After all, if you knew that your car was defective in the first place, you would have had it fixed or replaced.
This means you may not be able to have the time to veer out of the way or bring your car to a stop when your vehicle suddenly begins to break down.
This could result in a high-speed collision, which can be incredibly devastating.
Common high-speed accident injuries include:
- Brain damage
- Skull fractures
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Eye injuries or vision loss
- Severe burns
- Deep lacerations
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Loss of limb or amputations
- Spinal injuries
- Paralysis
These kinds of injuries can take months, sometimes even years, to heal properly. That is, if they heal at all.
Such extreme damage can result in permanent disability, from the loss of an arm to paralysis. Whatever the case may be, you are likely in a position of extreme pain and shock.
You are likely also wondering just who is responsible for your accident.
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Reviews
When our clients are happy, they say so. Whether we’re being described for how well we communicate, our responsiveness, or the quality of our service, we’re consistently rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by those we represent.
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Ratings
As an industry leader in the field of personal injury, we're proud to maintain a superb 10.0 out of 10.0 rating on AVVO.com, have a preeminent AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and have recently been awarded Client Champion Platinum status from Lawyers.com.
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Results
In the last ten years, we've recovered $50 million on behalf of our clients. Our motto is simple - You do what you need to do physically recover, and we'll handle the rest.
Who Is Liable for Your Damages?
Finding the party liable for your auto defect can be difficult, as there are many parties involved with the design, manufacturing, shipping, and maintenance of a car or auto part.
Figuring out which party was responsible for your defect can take time, expertise, and resources.
However, in our experience, there are a handful of parties that are most often at fault. Those include:
The manufacturer: The company in charge of the design and the manufacturing of the car or auto part has a very important responsibility towards their customers. They should always run tests to make sure their designs are safe and function and implement strict quality control when it comes time to actually make the part. If they fail to do this, it could lead to them selling a defective and dangerous part.
The shipping company: Once a car or car part is made, it must be transported. This could be done using trucks or boats, depending on where the car was made and where it needs to go. During the shipping process, if cars and auto parts are not loaded or secured correctly, they can become damaged or rusted, leading them to become defective.
The dealership: When the car makes it to the dealership, it must be properly stored so that it is not exposed to the elements and does not rust, wear out, or fall apart. If the dealership does not do this, then they may be the ones responsible for your auto defect accident. The dealership should also routinely check for recalls and pull any recalled parts off the shelves.
The mechanic: After buying your car and using it for a while, you may then take it to the mechanic for a tune-up or a part replacement. It is a mechanic’s job to spot any critical defects and offer to repair them. If the mechanic neglects to inform you about a serious defect, does not notice the defect despite it being obvious, or repairs it incorrectly, then they may be the one at fault for your injuries.
Proving Liability in an Auto Defect Case
Determining the cause of your accident is only one aspect of your case; the other side to it is proving how the at-fault party caused your injuries through negligence.
When it comes to auto defect accidents, to do that you must be able to show:
An owed duty of care: When it comes to auto parts and cars, manufacturers, shippers, dealerships, and mechanics all have a duty of care to keep their clients and customers safe. In order for you to be owed a duty of care, you must be a customer or client of the at-fault party.
The duty of care was breached: If the duty of care was broken, either through blatant action or negligence, then the at-fault party would be legally liable for any injuries caused.
The breach led to your injuries: You must directly connect the failed auto part to your specific injuries. If a defective seatbelt caused internal damage, then you could argue that the manufacturer is at fault.
The auto part was within its expected life span: Cars constantly undergo wear and tear. This means that auto parts have a certain life expectancy. If your auto defect happened because a part was simply used too long, then it would be difficult to prove that a manufacturer or mechanic is at fault.
Call Tenge Law Firm, LLC for Excellent Legal Help
Car accidents are traumatic enough without the complications of an auto defect claim.
These cases require an in-depth investigation to ensure not a single angle or piece of evidence is missed.
This can be incredibly hard to do while recovering from your injuries.
While we at Tenge Law Firm, LLC cannot reverse what was done, we can at least help you recover proper compensation.
Our legal team can thoroughly review your case and collect evidence of negligence in order to hold the at-fault party accountable for your injuries.
To get the legal aid of an expert Boulder product defect attorney, call (303) 219-7377 today.
