When a car accident happens in Roswell, the at-fault party is typically assumed to be one of the drivers. While one or more drivers are often responsible for an accident, some crashes can result from defective vehicle parts. If you suspect that your accident resulted from a defect or error with your vehicle, help is available. Our Roswell lawyers handle injury cases with accidents caused by the defective design or manufacture of vehicles or vehicle compliments.
After an accident that causes injuries or death, all potential causes should be investigated. That includes any issues with the vehicles involved. At John Foy & Associates, we leave no stone unturned so that if there were defects with a vehicle that could have caused or contributed to the crash, we’ll look into them. This is how we’ve been helping accident victims for over 20 years, and we can help you, too.
Contact us today and we’ll discuss the details of your accident during a FREE consultation. There is no charge to you unless we win you a settlement or an award, so you don’t have to worry about out-of-pocket or upfront costs. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to schedule your FREE consultation and get started today.
Vehicle Product Liability Laws in Georgia
Georgia’s product liability laws are found under Georgia Code section 51-1-11. A manufacturer is liable for damages if someone becomes injured or suffers property damage because the manufacturer’s product was not “merchantable and reasonably suited to the use intended.” This applies to the design and/or manufacture of vehicle parts, as well.
You are not required to prove you purchase the vehicle or vehicle parts to file a lawsuit, but there are four elements you do need to demonstrate:
- The product was defective at the time you became injured.
- Your injury (or someone’s death) was caused by the defective design or manufacture of the vehicle or vehicle components.
- The defective vehicle or vehicle part was in the same condition as when it left the manufacturer.
- You were using the vehicle or vehicle component as it was intended by the manufacturer.
If you lost a loved one because of a defective design or manufacture of a vehicle or its components, you may also be able to bring a case on their behalf. In addition, you can also file a case if the defective vehicle or vehicle parts that injured you were not purchased by you.
Companies that produce and manufacture vehicles and vehicle parts in Georgia have a duty to exercise reasonable care. If they fail in that duty, they should be held legally responsible.
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Examples of Defective Design or Manufacture of a Vehicle
There are many ways in which a vehicle or vehicle component can contain issues. You and your lawyer will need to consider all possibilities when investigating exactly what contributed to your accident damages. Here are some examples of a vehicle or its parts having a defective design or poor manufacturing.
Defects that Can Cause or Contribute to an Accident
Many defects that spur product liability cases in Roswell are those that have either caused or contributed to an accident. Those defects may include:
- Defective brakes
- Defective tires
- Floor mats that prevent braking or interfere with foot pedals
- Inadequate stability (which can contribute to a rollover accident)
- Defective cruise control
- Steering failure
- Brake-shift interlock failure
- Unintentional airbag deployment
- Sudden acceleration
- Car stalling from defective ignition
- And more
Defects that Affect a Vehicle’s Crashworthiness
Vehicle manufacturers must ensure that all vehicles they produce are “crashworthy,” which means they can prevent injuries to others in the vehicle during an accident. Crashworthiness doctrine deems a vehicle manufacturer liable in an accident if their design defects created additional damages besides those from the accident itself. Crashworthiness includes preventing serious situations like a driver or passenger ejection from the vehicle, fire risk, seat belt issues, airbag deployment issues, and more.
These types of defects may include:
- Inadequate seat belt restraint or seat belt failure
- Child car seat failure
- Airbag failure
- Defects in crumble zone prevention
- Seatback collapse
- Defective door locks or latches
- Unsafe roof structure design
- Defective jack lifts
- And more
If a defect that led to your accident or contributed to your damages is not listed above, that doesn’t mean you don’t have a case. There are many ways a vehicle manufacturer may be at fault for your damages. Talk to a Roswell lawyer who deals with the defective design or manufacture of vehicles or vehicle components to know your full legal options.
Proving Liability After an Accident Caused By a Vehicle’s Defective Design or Manufacture
After any accident in Roswell that you did not cause, you’ll need to determine who was at fault and prove their negligence. Sometimes, more than one party is at fault. This is especially likely when a vehicle defect is involved.
You might be able to bring a case against both the vehicle manufacturer and another driver who caused the accident. This will require a lot of research into the causes of the accident and how you were injured.
The best way to prove that the manufacturer was liable for some or all of your damages is by contacting an experienced lawyer. Our attorneys at John Foy & Associates will do the research to get the answers you need in your case. To schedule a FREE, no-risk consultation with us today, call (404) 400-4000, or contact us online.
Talk to a Roswell Defective Design or Manufacture of Vehicles or Vehicle Components Lawyer for Free Today
At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping Georgians injured in car accidents for over two decades. We are dedicated to seeking the fullest compensation possible after your accident. We also understand how stressful and overwhelming this process is, and we want to make it as easy as possible for you.
Our lawyers do not charge a fee unless we win you money, and the consultation is always FREE. This allows you to get to know us and discuss your case potential at no cost and at no risk. To get started today, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for your FREE consultation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
