When you buy a car, you expect it to work properly. Unfortunately, ever since cars and automobiles have been woven into the fabric of American life, they have been a source of injuries and accidents through things like improperly designed seat belts, tires that blow out, motorcycles that tremble when driven at high speeds, and vehicles that roll over due to a poor design.
Defects in cars or car parts may occur at the design stage or the manufacturing phase, or both. Some of the most common problems with cars and car parts include defective tires, air bags, seat belts, malfunctioning accelerators or brakes, and inadequate roofs.
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If you live in Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia, an experienced car liability attorney with The Cochran Firm DC may seek compensation for your serious injuries as a result of a defective car product. Other expenses that may be recovered in a car product liability claim include the cost to buy replacement parts or repairs, costs associated with your injury, and economic damages if the resale value of the vehicle has been impaired by the defective part.
Product liability claims can take the form of a single lawsuit, class action, and mass tort. A car defect lawyer with The Cochran Firm DC will investigate your claim and determine whether an automobile product liability lawsuit is appropriate. If enough consumers have been harmed by the defective car or car component, a class action or mass tort action may be available.
Our seasoned team of attorneys collectively have decades of experience handling and prosecuting legal claims. The Cochran Firm DC lawyers will conduct a thorough analysis and investigation of your circumstances and the applicable law in order to determine the next steps in investigating your case.
The law mandates car makers and manufacturers of car parts and products to ensure their products are reasonably safe for consumers. The law additionally requires manufacturers to recall products that have dangerous designs or defects. Vehicles may also be deemed defective if they fail crashworthiness tests. With a defective car, occupants suffer greater injuries than could reasonably be expected due to defective design or manufacturing. Defects are sometimes the result of companies trying to save money or increase manufacturing speed.
The experienced attorneys with The Cochran Firm DC have earned an impressive record litigating against large and powerful corporations, government entities, and insurance companies. Our car product liability attorneys dedicate their careers to serving ordinary citizens who have been hurt by others careless and negligent actions.
Examples of Possible Auto Defects Claims Causing Serious Injuries:
In the late 1990s, Firestone and Ford became embroiled in controversy when media reports revealed tire failure rates on some Ford, Mercury, and Mazda SUVs was much higher than normal. The car makers and Firestone tires initiated a massive product recall, the Senate launched an investigation, and a flurry of lawsuits were filed against the companies.
Also during the late 1990s and through early 2001, four makers of child safety seats recalled nearly 10 million car seats due to faulty restraints and seats not locking onto the base, among other issues. Other child car seats failed to meet federal requirements for harness strength.
In 2010, Toyota recalled a Lexus SUV model due to a potential rollover issue. Consumer Reports issued a “Don’t Buy” warning one week before Toyota’s recall, which affected about 6,000 vehicles. The carmaker also agreed to pay a $16.4 million fine because of the problem.
In 2008, General Motors settled a major class action with owners of cars with defective speedometers. The settlement allowed many owners of Chevy Tahoes, Suburbans, Silverados, and Escalades to replace the instrument panel for free.
Our seasoned team of car product liability and dangerous auto attorneys are ready to help residents in DC, MD, and VA. Please contact our product liability lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation and case evaluation.
