When you purchase a vehicle, you likely assume that the car components and design work as intended. Unfortunately, many vehicle part manufacturers do not properly disclose defective car design, manufacturing flaws, or vehicle component defects. Faulty or defective vehicles can lead to car accidents, serious injury, and death.
A Birmingham motor vehicle defects attorney can help you make a defective auto parts claim so that you can receive your deserved compensation for injuries and damages from faulty vehicle manufacturing. At Morris Bart law firm in Alabama, we want you to be able to focus on recovering from injuries, while our experienced law team fights for your rights.
Who Is Liable for Defective Car Parts in Birmingham?
In most cases, the vehicle or auto component manufacturer can be held liable for defective parts because when you purchase or lease a vehicle in Birmingham or anywhere in Alabama, you are entitled to full disclosure about any flaws or defects in the potential purchase. According to the Magnuson Moss Warranty-Federal Trade Commission Improvements Act, you must be provided with certain disclosures about the vehicle you purchase or lease.
Since many designers, auto component manufacturers, transporters, and dealership managers are involved with the manufacture and sale of each vehicle, a lawyer will have to investigate to determine the specific at-fault party in your vehicle defects case. Experienced defective motor vehicle attorneys at Morris Bart will investigate the faulty auto part and may file a lawsuit against the vehicle manufacturer, defective auto part maker, or both.
Defective vehicle design or faulty manufacturing can lead to car accidents and unnecessary expenses, so it’s important to hold the at-fault party accountable. You can quickly and easily connect with a motor vehicle defects lawyer in Birmingham by speaking with a representative of the Morris Bart law office at (205) 380-4158 to discuss your recovery options today.
For a free legal consultation with a Motor Vehicle Defects lawyer serving Birmingham, call (205) 380-4158
Types of Motor Vehicle Defects
Since a car is made up of many components and is designed and created by many people, many things can go wrong in a vehicle’s design, production, and sale. There are generally two main types of automobile defects:
- Defective design: This is when a part was not designed in a way that promotes safety. Even if it is then manufactured properly, it will still make the vehicle unsafe.
- Manufacturing defect: The vehicle and parts were designed safely, but a manufacturing error or negligence led to an unsafe auto part or vehicle.
Inside these two defect categories, you will find more specific defects that make your entire vehicle unsafe to operate. Some common defective auto parts that can lead to vehicle collisions and injury include:
- Airbags
- Seatbelts
- Steering wheel and controls
- Tires
- Systems, like cruise control or fuel systems
- Design flaws
- Brakes
Birmingham Motor Vehicle Defects Lawyer Near Me (205) 380-4158
Auto Part and Design Defects Can Cause Car Accidents
When one auto part malfunctions, or if there is a design flaw, the entire vehicle is unsafe and can malfunction while you are driving. Car accidents, injuries, and death can occur when a defective motor vehicle part fails.
For example, if a tire has a small design flaw, it can unexpectedly explode while you are operating your vehicle at high speeds, which may cause your vehicle to go off the road, hit other vehicles or structures, and cause injury to all involved parties.
One way to avoid accidents caused by defective parts is to regularly check for vehicle or product recalls on the NHTSA website, but if an accident has already occurred, you can contact a motor vehicle defective design and components lawyer in Birmingham for help.
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What do You Do If Your Vehicle Has a Design Defect or Manufacturing Flaw?
Car manufacturers are expected to issue a recall if a defective part is discovered or if there is a safety concern; however, sometimes recalls are not properly issued, or accidents occur before a recall can be issued. If after repeated trips to a mechanic, or worse, after an accident due to your vehicle’s faultiness, you become aware that your vehicle is flawed or unsafe, there are steps you should take to file a motor vehicle defects claim.
Start by gathering your repair and maintenance records. You should also stop using the defective vehicle. Then, call a trusted vehicle defects lawyer in Birmingham. Your lawyer can help you prove, and accurately value, your case in order to pursue the manufacturer or other at-fault party for full financial compensation.
Trying to negotiate or fight with the vehicle’s manufacturer on your own can backfire. Discuss your situation with a local Alabama lawyer who can help you file your case in a timely fashion and work hard to obtain the financial compensation you may be owed.
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What Is an Example of a Design Defect?
A design defect occurs when a product is manufactured properly according to the design specifications, but those specifications are flawed and dangerous to consumers. This results in the entire product line being defective rather than an individual product.
One example of a design defect in a motor vehicle would be a car that is top-heavy. Each car made this way because of a defective design will make the whole line of cars prone to flipping over when making sharp turns around a corner.
A well-known working example of a design defect to reference is GM’s ignition switch, which caused engines to automatically turn off and prevented airbags from deploying. It resulted in four reported fatalities and six reported injuries, eventually leading to well over eight million vehicles being recalled by 2014 and GM filing for bankruptcy.
What Is the Difference Between a Design Defect and a Manufacturing Defect?
There are multiple stages of production whenever goods are created. Errors can occur at each stage, resulting in liability falling on numerous potential people. But when does product liability rest with designers versus manufacturers?
- Design defects occur when there is a flaw in a product’s original design, making that product unreasonably dangerous for consumers to use.
- Manufacturer defects occur during the manufacturing process, causing the product to deviate from its intended design.
A design defect can end up resulting in thousands or millions of products being flawed and dangerous, whereas a manufacturing defect could either affect only a single product or perhaps a small batch of products.
When it comes to design or manufacturer defects with automobile parts causing car accidents, things can get incredibly tricky. Determining liability requires a substantial amount of resources, investigation, and documentation. It’s best to consult with a motor vehicle defects attorney.
Compensation for Auto Part Defects in Birmingham
If you or a family member were injured because your car had a design flaw, manufacturing defect, or faulty components, you may have the basis for a lawsuit against the vehicle’s manufacturer. When you work with a skilled accident lawyer, you can focus on recovering from your injuries, while they do the investigation and claims process for your defective parts case.
Car accidents and motor vehicle repairs are expensive and traumatic, so you may be entitled to compensation. A personal injury claim from defective auto parts can result in many types of compensation, including:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of wages
- Other damages
What Is the Time Limit to Report a Faulty Vehicle Design or Component in Alabama?
If you do determine that your vehicle is faulty, you cannot afford to wait to take legal action. As soon as you are aware of the defect, contact a Birmingham defective manufacture of vehicles lawyer. You must notify the vehicle’s manufacturer of any suspected flaws in your car within two years or 24,000 miles of the vehicle’s purchase or lease.
Waiting too long could mean you are left with no legal or financial recourse for having your car replaced or for receiving financial compensation.
What Is Birmingham’s Lemon Law for Vehicle Manufacturers?
The Alabama Legislature puts certain laws into place to protect consumers from fraud. Among them is Alabama Code §8-20A-2, which details the obligations of vehicle manufacturers. A vehicle manufacturer is obligated to:
- Repair faulty vehicles when they are made aware of flaws or defects within 24 months or 24,000 miles of purchase.
- Replace a faulty vehicle if it cannot be satisfactorily repaired to meet the conditions of its existing warranty.
The vehicle’s manufacturer might also be compelled to refund your vehicle purchase, due to the products liability law on auto defects, in the following amounts:
- The vehicle’s full purchase price, including add-ons and dealer prep fees
- Any collateral expenses, including taxes and vehicle registration fees
- Finance charges you may have paid after you informed the maker of the flaw
- Incidental expenses, including alternative modes of transportation
There may be other costs associated with the defective design or manufacture of the vehicle you purchased or leased. Speak to a Birmingham defective auto parts lawyer to determine the full financial compensation package you might be entitled to receive.
Get a Free Case Review from a Birmingham Motor Vehicle Defects Lawyer
Speak to a top-rated motor vehicle defects attorney in Birmingham to discuss the issues with your vehicle and the ways you can hold the manufacturer responsible for the consequences of your vehicle’s flaws. At Morris Bart law firm in Alabama, we have the track record, experience, and client success stories to fight for the compensation you deserve. We are committed to our clients’ full recovery in defective auto parts cases.
Reach a legal team in Birmingham by calling the Morris Bart law firm at (205) 380-4158 as soon as you realize there is a problem with your vehicle. The call is free and there is no obligation.
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