Just as pharmaceutical companies can be held liable for defective medical devices or prescription drugs that cause harm, car part manufacturers can be held liable for defects which cause personal injuries.
Car accidents are not always caused by another motorist. They can also be caused by a defective car part which caused the vehicle to malfunction and the driver to lose control. In some instances, these crashes result in traumatic injuries, or even death. Common types of injuries which can occur from these issues in the event of a car accident or fire are wrongful death, lacerations, burns, fractures, traumatic brain injuries and disfigurement.
Some common types of car part malfunctions are defective seat belts, sticking accelerators, defective wiring, defective airbags or failed braking systems. These are only a few of a long list of parts which could prove to be defective in an automobile. Car manufacturers often contract with and obtain parts from several other companies. In today’s market, vehicles are often manufactured in such a way that specific parts are interchangeable among different makes and models. For instance, one company may make seat belts for vehicles. That company could be contracted with multiple manufacturers to provide that product because it will fit on many different types of cars. Therefore, a personal injury claim arising out of such a scenario can be very complex, and contain multiple defendants. While the manufacturer itself can be proved liable, it must be demonstrated that they directly caused the defect. This is known as “strict liability.”
An attorney may be able to give more specific information obtaining damages from a car manufacturer, or car part manufacturer who is at fault for a personal injury.