Chattanooga Auto Product Liability Lawyers
When you buy a car, motorcycle, or other motor vehicle, whether a new model or a used one, you expect it to get you to and from point A to point B smoothly and safely. This is not always the case, however, even with new vehicles. Unfortunately, many people are injured or killed each year, nationwide, due to auto manufacturing and/or auto design defects.
Auto manufacturers, as with all consumer product manufacturers, have a duty to produce and market safe vehicles. Oftentimes, however, auto manufacturers and dealers place vehicles on the market that have not been properly crash tested, that contain a defective part, that were rushed through production, or that were poorly designed. Any of these could cause potentially dangerous malfunctions and/or defects and increase the risk of being injured in a Tennessee auto accident. In the event that the auto defect causes an accident, the manufacturer and/or distributor could be held liable for a victim’s losses.
Common Vehicle Defects
Motor-vehicles are complicated machines with many parts; some are electrical or mechanical, some are part of the exterior or interior and some are even part of a computer. This allows for a very wide range of possible defects that may simply make steering more difficult, may cause a tire to blowout, or may even cause a driver to lose control of their car on the highway. Though there are many potential defects, the most common include:
- Airbag deployment failure or malfunction;
- Sudden airbag deployment;
- Unintended acceleration;
- Brake failure;
- Tire defects, tire tread separation;
- Seat belt defects;
- Leaks;
- Body defects;
- Engine stalling; and
- Steering column or system defects.
Tennessee Defective Auto Defect Traffic Crash Statistics
According to the Tennessee Department of Safety, there were 2,753 motor-vehicle defects involved in auto accidents during 2007. Of these, 832 were tire defects and 629 were brake system defects. The tires and brake system defects were the most common however; other defects involved the steering system, suspension, power train, head-lights, signal lights, body, doors, hood, motorcycle kick-stand, trailer hitch, wheels, air bags and a few others.
When Defects Are Discovered Too Late
Repeated and consistent reports of accidents involving a certain make, year, and model vehicle are usually investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). If the NHTSA or other investigating organization finds that there is a vehicle defect, then the vehicle will be recalled and repaired if possible. Unfortunately, the discovery of an auto defect often comes too late for injury and wrongful death victims.
As knowledgeable Tennessee auto product liability attorneys at Massey & Associates, PC, we help our clients prove that a defective auto part or product caused their Tennessee traffic accident and work diligently towards recovering fair financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and other losses resulting from their injury. We are also dedicated to helping the families of Chattanooga wrongful death car accident victims pursue compensation for loss of companionship, medical costs, funeral costs, lost future wages, and other damages. Seeking justice is the first step to moving on with your life and we consider it our duty to help you get it. Call us today for a free consultation at (423) 697-4529.
