Defective Vehicle Parts Lawyer: Bakersfield, CA
Why Defects Are Often Overlooked
Many drivers assume a crash was caused solely by road conditions or by another motorist. In reality, a hidden mechanical defect may have caused the collision or made injuries much worse. An attorney’s investigation may uncover a powerful product liability claim.
Examples include:
- A tire blowout causing loss of control
- Brakes failing to stop in time
- An airbag deploying with excessive force
- A seatbelt unlatching during rollover
- A fuel tank igniting after impact
Manufacturer vs. Dealership Liability for Vehicle Defects
One of the most important distinctions in these cases is who may be legally responsible.
Vehicle and Parts Manufacturers
Manufacturers can be liable when a vehicle or component is defectively designed, manufactured, tested, or marketed. Potential defendants may include major automakers, tire manufacturers, and component suppliers.
Dealership Liability
Dealerships are sometimes liable if they:
- Failed to perform required recall repairs
- Sold a vehicle without disclosing known defects
- Performed negligent maintenance or repairs
Recalled Vehicles and Your Legal Rights
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recall Database allows drivers to search by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and review open safety recalls.
How Recalls Affect Injury Claims
A vehicle recall does not automatically prove liability, but it can be highly persuasive evidence that:
- The manufacturer knew of a dangerous condition
- Similar incidents had already occurred
- A safer design or repair was available
- Consumers were exposed to unreasonable risk
Even if a recall was issued after your accident, it may still support your claim.
Can You Sue If Your Vehicle Was Recalled?
Yes. If a defective part caused or worsened your injuries, you may pursue compensation regardless of whether the recall existed before or after the crash.
Airbag, Tire, and Brake Defect Claims
In Bakersfield and throughout Kern County, families depend on their vehicles every day. Long commutes, rural highways, and significant distances between communities make reliable transportation essential. Safety systems are crucial for protecting occupants on every trip—and when they fail, manufacturers may be held accountable for the resulting harm.
Defective airbags may:
- Fail to deploy
- Deploy unexpectedly
- Release metal fragments
- Cause severe facial and ocular injuries
Tread separation and manufacturing flaws can cause sudden blowouts and rollovers, especially at highway speeds common throughout Kern County. A defective tire injury attorney in Bakersfield can tell you whether these factors contributed to the crash.
Hydraulic failures, faulty anti-lock braking systems, and defective brake components can prevent drivers from avoiding collisions.
Product Defect Claim vs. Car Accident Claim: What’s the Difference?
Many injured people contact a lawyer after a crash without realizing a defective vehicle part may be involved. Victims may still be able to file a claim, but the type and nature of the case changes slightly:
- A standard car accident claim focuses on proving that another driver was negligent.
- A product liability claim focuses on proving that a vehicle or component was unreasonably dangerous.
Why Both Claims May Exist
In many cases, both theories apply. For example:
- Another driver causes a collision, but a defective airbag worsens injuries.
- A tire defect causes a rollover with no other negligent driver.
- Brake failure prevents the avoidance of a crash.
This is why it is important to review every serious accident for possible product defects and to cross-reference our car accident service pages if you are unsure what caused the crash.
The Key Difference From Standard Car Accident Cases
In an ordinary collision, the claim is usually against the at-fault driver and their insurer. In a vehicle defect case, the claim may target a multinational manufacturer with significantly greater resources. This can substantially expand the compensation available to injured victims and families.
Evidence Preservation Is Critical
Vehicle defect cases are highly technical and require preservation of the vehicle and its components.
Important evidence includes:
- The vehicle itself
- Tires, airbags, brakes, and electronic modules
- Recall notices
- Repair and maintenance records
- Crash data recorder (black box) information
- Police reports
- Expert inspections
Never authorize disposal or salvage of a severely damaged vehicle before it has been inspected.
Compensation in Vehicle Defect Cases
Victims may recover damages for:
Medical expenses
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Permanent disability
Disfigurement
Wrongful death damages
Because manufacturers often have substantial resources, these claims can provide significant compensation when defects cause devastating injuries.
$22.1
million
Pedestrian Accident
$15
million
Products Liability Explosion
$11
million
Premises Liability
$10
million
Oilfield Accident
$10
million
Motorcycle Accident
$9
million
Industrial Accident
$8.8
million
Police Misconduct
$8
million
Pedestrian Accident
Speak With a Bakersfield Defective Vehicle Parts Lawyer
If you were injured in a crash involving an airbag failure, tire blowout, brake defect, or other dangerous vehicle component, your case may be worth far more than a standard auto accident claim.
An experienced defective car part lawyer in Bakersfield can investigate whether a manufacturer, dealership, or supplier is responsible and help you pursue full compensation for your injuries. Call Chain | Cohn | Clark today for a free case review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. California product liability law allows injured consumers to pursue claims against manufacturers when a defective design, manufacturing error, or inadequate warning causes injury.
Yes. A recall may actually strengthen your case by showing that the manufacturer identified a safety problem. It does not limit your right to seek compensation.
A car accident claim targets negligent drivers. A product defect claim targets manufacturers or suppliers whose dangerous vehicle components caused or worsened injuries. In many cases, both claims exist.
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