Signs Your Crash Was Caused by a Defective Part, Not Driver Error

Not every serious crash comes down to driver error. Sometimes a defective auto part, like a failed brake, a blown tire, or an airbag that does not deploy, causes or worsens a collision. Being able to recognize a defective auto part can reveal a product liability claim worth far more than a standard car accident case.

Common Defective Auto Parts

Certain components fail more often than others. Tires can suffer tread separation that leads to a blowout or a rollover. Brakes can fail without warning. Airbags can deploy late, fail to deploy, or deploy when they should not. Seatbelts can unlatch or tear on impact.

When one of these parts fails, the resulting injuries are often severe, and the cause is not always obvious at the scene.

Injuries Caused by Defective Auto Parts

When a safety part fails, the consequences can be devastating. A tire blowout or brake failure at highway speed can lead to a rollover or a high-speed collision. An airbag that does not deploy leaves occupants unprotected in a crash they might otherwise have survived with minor injuries.

These cases frequently involve head trauma, spinal injuries, burns, and broken bones, and the harm is sometimes permanent. The seriousness of the injury is one reason it is worth determining whether a defect, rather than driver error, was the true cause.

Types of Auto Part Defects

California product liability law recognizes three kinds of defects. A design defect means the part was unreasonably dangerous as designed, even when built correctly. A manufacturing defect means an error during production made a specific part dangerous. A warning defect means the maker failed to warn users about a known risk.

Identifying which type applies shapes the evidence your case needs and points to who can be held responsible.

Signs a Defective Part May Be Involved

A few patterns may point toward a defective auto part rather than a driver mistake:

1. The vehicle behaved in a way the driver could not control, such as sudden acceleration or a loss of steering. 
2. A safety system did not work as designed during the crash. 
3. There was a recall on the vehicle or one of its components. 
4. The damage seems far worse than the circumstances would explain.

A recall does not weaken your case. It can actually strengthen it by showing that the manufacturer had already identified a safety problem by the time your accident occurred.

An attorney will often work with engineers or accident reconstruction experts who inspect the vehicle and the failed part, which is one more reason it helps to preserve the vehicle rather than let an insurer total it and haul it away.

How a Defective Part Claim Differs From a Car Accident Claim

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. Under California law, an injured person can pursue manufacturers, suppliers, or dealers for a defective design, a manufacturing error, or a failure to warn. Importantly, this kind of claim does not require proving that anyone behaved carelessly, only that the product was defective and caused harm.

In many crashes, both may apply, which is why every serious accident is worth reviewing for a possible defect.

Who Can Be Held Responsible

More than one company can be liable for a defective auto part. The manufacturer that designed or built the part is the most common defendant, but a supplier of component parts, the vehicle maker, or the dealer that sold the car may also share responsibility.

Sorting out which parties are involved requires thorough investigation, and it is one of the first things an attorney will work to establish.

Why Acting Quickly Matters

A defective part claim depends on the part itself. Once a vehicle is repaired, scrapped, or returned, key evidence can be lost for good. Preserving the vehicle and its components gives your attorney the best chance to prove the defect.

A few steps protect a possible claim. Hold on to the vehicle and avoid authorizing repairs, photograph the damage and any failed part, request a copy of the crash report, and keep any recall notices or maintenance records you have. These details can be difficult to recreate later.

California also limits how long you have to file a case. Speaking with a lawyer quickly after the crash protects both the evidence and your deadline.

Talk to a Bakersfield Product Liability Attorney

Chain | Cohn | Clark can investigate whether a defective auto part played a role in your crash. Our products liability lawyers can preserve the evidence and pursue full compensation. Call today for a free case review.

This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Consult an attorney about the specific facts of your case.