Auto parts defects are more common than you think. When it happens, not only can those defective parts cause serious injuries, but the manufacturers of these parts can be named in a civil lawsuit.
You have probably heard on more than one occasion of auto parts being defective. In fact, every time you’ve ever heard of a recalled vehicle or part on a vehicle, it was done so because that part was found to be unsafe to consumers, drivers, and passengers.
When people have suffered catastrophic injuries due to these defects, the auto company will (or should) issue a recall that replaces or repairs the defective part free of charge to the consumer.
Unfortunately, these auto companies aren’t always willing to take care of the individuals their defective car parts harmed in the first place, which is why a civil lawsuit may be necessary. Read on to learn more about auto company’s civil and moral obligation to the consumer, and some of the most infamous product liability claims involving defective auto parts.
When a company puts a product on the market, it has an obligation to ensure that when used as intended, the product is safe.
In this case, when a motor vehicle becomes available for purchase, or when auto parts are made available to the public in stores, the manufacturer of these auto parts, the automaker, and in some cases, the dealership that sold a car, can be held accountable for any injuries that are sustained when these auto parts malfunction.
However, for a lawsuit to be successful, the injury victim must establish that the actions of the named liable party were egregious or negligent in some way. You can check out some of the most notable defective auto parts lawsuits below to learn more about what constitutes negligence.
Most recently, you may have heard about Takata airbags. The auto parts giant Takata sold defective airbag inflators that were then used in many different car makes, including Nissan, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW, to name a few.
The company knew the parts were defective but continued to push their use in order to increase profits. Takata settled a class action lawsuit by agreeing to pay $1 billion to those affected by the defective airbags.
Another notable defective auto parts lawsuit is Volkswagen emissions. Here, Volkwagen used illegal software to cheat the U.S. emissions testing systems. It was ordered to pay a $14.7 billion settlement to those affected.
When it comes to defective car parts, failure to prioritize the safety and best interests of the consumer can result in a product liability lawsuit.
If you have suffered serious injuries due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To discuss the details of your case with a highly trained Rockford personal injury lawyer at Mahoney & Mahoney, LLC, you can give our office a call at 815-656-4600 or check out our website.
