Vehicle Recalls and Accident Claims: Can a Defective Car Part Lead to Manufacturer Liability?

Car accidents are very common, especially on freeways, highways, and busy intersections. Many drivers are rushing to and from work or may be distracted by other hazards on the road. Vehicle recalls contribute to car accidents and can cause serious injuries to individuals and their families. It is important to understand the necessary steps to take when your vehicle becomes recalled to help reduce the risk of a serious accident occurring. 

Vehicle Recalls: An Overview 

A vehicle recall occurs when a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identifies a safety-related defect or determines that a vehicle or component fails to comply with applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.

Recalls may involve an entire vehicle model or specific components, including braking systems, airbags, electrical equipment, and tires. It is important to understand that manufacturers usually must notify the owners of these affected vehicles and provide an appropriate solution, such as a repair, replacement, or refund, without charge when required by applicable recall provisions.

Defects that May Cause a Collision

The following defects are common and may cause vehicle collisions and serious injuries. 

Defective Braking Systems

If a braking defect contributes to a rear-end collision or intersection accident, investigators may examine whether the malfunction prevented the driver from responding appropriately.

Steering System Malfunctions

Depending on the circumstances, steering failures may contribute to roadway departures, collisions with other vehicles, or crashes involving objects.

Airbag Defects

An airbag defect may not cause the initial collision but could contribute to the severity of the resulting injuries.

Understanding Product Liability Laws

California law recognizes product liability claims involving defective products, including motor vehicles and automotive components. Depending on the facts, a claim may involve three general categories of product defects.

• Manufacturing Defects: These occur when a particular product differs from its intended design because of an error during the production process.
• Design Defects: These involve potential safety problems associated with the product's design, even when the product was manufactured according to specifications.
• Failure to Warn: These claims may occur when a manufacturer fails to provide legally adequate warnings or instructions about the possible risks involved.

It is important to understand that a manufacturer is not automatically responsible simply because a product was involved in an accident. A recall may help establish that a manufacturer identified a safety concern affecting a specific vehicle or part. However, an injured person usually must demonstrate that the defect existed and contributed to the accident.

Ignoring a Recall Notice: Driver Behavior 

An unresolved recall may complicate an accident claim, especially if the vehicle owner received notice and had a reasonable opportunity to obtain the recommended repair. Whether an unrepaired recall affects liability depends on several considerations, including whether the owner received notice, whether a repair was available, and whether the failure to obtain the repair caused the injuries and damage. 

Who is Liable

Depending on the evidence, potentially responsible parties may include, but are not limited to, the following individuals. 

• Vehicle manufacturers
• Component manufacturers
• Distributors
• Entities involved in vehicle maintenance or repairs

A repair facility may face a separate negligence claim if improper maintenance contributed to a mechanical failure. 

Understanding Comparative Fault Laws

Another driver may also share responsibility if unsafe driving contributed to the collision. California's comparative fault principles may become important when multiple parties contributed to an accident, although the allocation of responsibility depends on the type of claim and applicable legal rules.

Important Pieces of Evidence

Preserving evidence is especially important when a suspected mechanical failure contributed to a car accident. Potentially relevant evidence may include, but is not limited to, the following. 

• Vehicle identification number (VIN) and recall records
• Maintenance and repair documentation
• Accident photographs and police reports
• Vehicle electronic data, when available
• Witness statements
• Manufacturer communications and recall notices
• Engineering inspections and expert findings

Vehicle owners should avoid getting rid of or altering potentially defective components before appropriate documentation or inspection. Preserving the vehicle may help investigators determine whether a defect existed and how it affected the accident.

The Importance of Seeking Legal Guidance and Support 

A legal professional may be able to explain a vehicle recall to victims and their loved ones after an accident occurs. This may be important when you become injured from a collision and are unaware of the necessary steps to take afterward. Legal guidance and support can minimize the additional challenges that may follow an accident relating to a vehicle recall.

The Legal Team at KAASS LAW

The qualified personal injury attorneys at KAASS LAW want to help victims and their families understand their rights and responsibilities when being involved in a vehicle collision due to a vehicle recall. Our legal team may review the facts of your case, speak to insurance companies, and help determine potentially liable parties moving forward. Don’t wait. Call KAASS LAW today to learn more.