Defective vehicle components and unsafe automotive design can cause catastrophic injury. If a manufacturing or design defect contributed to your crash, a Philadelphia defective vehicle lawyer can evaluate whether a product liability claim may apply in addition to a standard car accident claim.
Vehicle defect cases differ from ordinary negligence cases. They focus on the safety of the product itself.
What Is a Defective Vehicle Claim?
A defective vehicle claim arises when a car, truck, SUV, or component fails due to:
• Design defects
• Manufacturing defects
• Failure to warn
• Faulty safety systems
• Defective tires or brakes
• Airbag malfunction
• Roof crush in rollover crashes
In these cases, liability may extend beyond the driver and include:
• The vehicle manufacturer
• A parts manufacturer
• A distributor
• A dealership
Product liability law allows injured individuals to pursue claims when unsafe products enter the marketplace.
How Do Vehicle Defects Cause Serious Injuries?
Vehicle defects can increase the severity of a crash. Common injury scenarios include:
• Gas tank rupture and fire
• Airbags that fail to deploy
• Unintended acceleration
• Brake system failure
• Tire tread separation
• Roof collapse during rollover
These failures often lead to:
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Severe burns
• Internal organ damage
• Wrongful death
According to federal data, motor vehicle crashes cause tens of thousands of deaths annually and millions of injuries nationwide.
Examples of Known Automotive Defects
Over the past several decades, manufacturers have recalled vehicles for:
• Sudden unintended acceleration
• Defective ignition switches
• Faulty anti-lock braking systems
• Tire failures
• Instrument cluster defects
• Stability and rollover issues
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines a safety-related defect as a problem that poses an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety and may exist in a group of vehicles of the same design or manufacture.
Not every crash involves a defect. However, when a product fails under normal use, further investigation may be necessary.
How Is a Defective Vehicle Case Different from a Car Accident Case?
Most car accident claims focus on driver negligence.
Defective vehicle cases focus on:
• Engineering standards
• Safety testing
• Federal compliance
• Internal manufacturer documents
• Expert accident reconstruction
• Product design analysis
These cases often require preservation of the vehicle and detailed inspection before repairs or salvage.
When Should You Speak With a Philadelphia Defective Vehicle Lawyer?
You may want legal review if:
• The crash involved a rollover
• The vehicle caught fire
• Safety systems failed
• The crash severity seems inconsistent with the impact
• The vehicle had a known recall
• You suspect a mechanical failure
Early investigation matters. Once a vehicle is destroyed or altered, critical evidence may be lost.
What Compensation May Be Available?
A product liability claim may allow recovery for:
• Medical expenses
• Future medical care
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Wrongful death damages, where applicable
Recovery depends on proof of defect, causation, and damages.
Speak With a Philadelphia Defective Vehicle Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a crash involving suspected vehicle defects, we can review the circumstances and explain your legal options.
Call (215) 545-8500 or email info@FreundlichandLittman.com to schedule a free consultation.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.
