Maison Law represents accident victims injured due to defective car parts in California. If you or a loved one were injured due to an accident caused by defective car parts, the highly experienced accident attorneys at Maison Law can help you receive full compensation for your damages. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Defective Car Part in California?
Defective car part lawsuits are notoriously complex due to the number of liable parties and victims affected. To achieve a successful lawsuit against a car part manufacturer, distributor, or retailer, it is important to have a trusted, product liability lawyer on your side. If you’ve been injured due to a defective car part, an attorney can:
- Investigate the defect
- Establish liability – identify the liable party and prevent liability from being put onto you
- Pursue fair compensation:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- File claims and negotiate a fair settlement
- Represent you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached
What Claims Can Be Filed in a Defective Car Part Lawsuit in California?
In California, defective car part claims fall under product liability law. Product liability holds manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accountable for providing a safe product for consumers. If a defective car part causes an injury, the victim may pursue a lawsuit based on:
- Strict liability: a manufacturer can be held responsible for strict liability. A plaintiff must prove the product was defective and the defect was a direct cause of their injury. Strict liability can be imposed for three types of product defects:
- Manufacturing defects
- Design defects
- Warning defects (inadequate warning)
- Carelessness: requires the plaintiff to prove the defendant failed to exercise reasonable care in the design, manufacture, or distribution the their product, which caused substantial injuries.
- Breach of Warranty: warranties guarantee a car’s performance, but if a part fails to meet these guarantees, a breach of warranty could be pursued.
Common Types of Defective Car Parts
Defective car parts are considered any component of a vehicle that fails to perform its intended function due to design flaws, manufacturing errors, or inadequate quality control. These failures have major consequences, causing car accidents with severe injuries or even death. The most common defective car parts include:
- Brakes: these can feature defective brake pads, rotors, or hydraulic systems, causing drivers to be unable to stop or slow down.
- Tires: tire defects lead to loss of control of the vehicle, blowouts, and tire separation
- Steering systems: steering component malfunctions can make it impossible for drivers to control their vehicles, leading to horrific accidents
- Fuel systems: fuel leaks can lead to fires or even explosions when collisions happen
- Airbags: defective airbags are the result of numerous car accident fatalities as they are necessary to preventing excessive force to the driver and passengers during an accident
- Seatbelts: a defective seatbelt during a car accident can result in the driver, or passengers, being ejected from the vehicle
What Compensation Can I Receive for a Defective Car Part in California?
Defective car parts can result in devastating accidents, causing traumatic physical, emotional, and financial hardships for many people. After major car accidents, victims are often left with permanent injuries and debt. When examining your claim, an attorney can calculate the value of your damages based on the following items:
- Emergency room treatment
- Hospital bills
- Medications and medical equipment
- Ongoing treatment for current and future medical needs
- In-home care
- Lost income
- Loss of consortium
- Vehicle repair
- Emotional pain
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
These damages are a combination of economic damages and non-economic damages. The total of these damages will be a solid indicator of what your compensation will likely be. In California, non-economic damages do not have a cap, so your attorney will likely be able to determine their value based on the severity of your injuries, medical treatment, and financial losses.
Contact A Product Liability Lawyer in California
Victims of accidents caused by defective car parts have legal options and the right to seek compensation. At Maison Law, our product liability attorneys have experience using multiple legal avenues to hold car part manufacturers and other responsible parties liable for your damages. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident from a defective car part, our legal team will help you navigate the complexities of product liability lawsuits and ensure you receive full compensation for your damages. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
