What Car Parts Are Commonly Defective and Dangerous?
The modern vehicle is a complex machine comprising thousands of parts, each critical in ensuring safety and functionality. Unfortunately, when these parts are defective, they can lead to serious accidents, injuries, or even fatalities. By learning about the typical types of car parts that are commonly defective and the dangers they pose, drivers can enhance their safety and grasp of their legal rights.
Commonly Defective and Dangerous Car Parts
The risk of injury increases when a defect impacts a car part that is integral to the safe operation of a motor vehicle.
Common dangerous defects include:
- Airbags: Airbags are designed to protect occupants during collisions by inflating rapidly to cushion the impact. They are one of the most critical safety features in a vehicle. However, when airbags are defective, they can cause more harm than good. Common defects include failing to deploy during a crash or deploying too forcefully, leading to severe injuries. In some cases, airbags have been known to explode, sending shrapnel into the vehicle’s interior and causing devastating injuries to passengers.
- Brakes: The braking system is another essential vehicle safety component responsible for slowing down or stopping the car. Any defect in the brakes can be catastrophic. Common brake defects include complete brake failure, where the vehicle cannot stop, and issues with the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), which can cause the brakes to lock up or malfunction. Defective brakes can lead to high-speed collisions, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
- Tires: Tires are the only part of the vehicle that makes direct contact with the road, making their condition critical for safe driving. Defective tires can result in tread separation, blowouts, or rapid deflation. These issues can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, leading to accidents, especially at high speeds. Tread separation is a severe defect that can cause the tire to peel away from the rest of the tire body, making the vehicle almost impossible to control.
- Seat Belts: Seat belts are designed to keep passengers secure in their seats during a collision, preventing them from being thrown around or ejected from the vehicle. However, when seat belts are defective, they may fail to latch correctly, unlatch unexpectedly during a crash, or have weak straps that tear under stress. These defects can render seat belts ineffective, increasing the likelihood of injury or death in an accident.
- Steering Systems: The steering system allows the driver to control the direction of the vehicle. Common steering defects include power steering failure or steering lock-up, where the steering wheel becomes difficult or impossible to turn. Such defects can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the likelihood of a crash.
- Electrical Systems: Electrical system failures can range from battery issues to wiring problems that affect the vehicle’s operation. A defective electrical system can lead to various problems, including engine stalling, loss of lights, or malfunctioning safety features like airbags or seatbelts. These failures can put the driver and passengers at significant risk, especially when the vehicle suddenly loses power.
The Impact of Defective Car Parts on Safety
The broader impact of defective car parts on safety cannot be overstated. When critical components like brakes, airbags, or steering systems fail, the likelihood of an accident increases significantly. These defects endanger drivers and passengers and put other road users at risk. The ripple effect of a single defective part can lead to multi-vehicle collisions, severe injuries, and fatalities.
Call Our Product Liability Lawyers in Santa Ana to Discuss Your Legal Options
You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one has been injured due to a defective car part. Legal options for victims include filing a product liability claim against the defective part’s manufacturer, distributor, or retailer. Since multiple parties could be found liable, depending on the circumstances, it’s important to consult with an Orange County product liability lawyer. We can evaluate your case and guide you through the legal process.
At HN Injury Lawyers, we specialize in handling cases involving defective car parts. Schedule a free consultation with one of our Santa Ana auto product liability attorneys—call us at (657) 333-5726 to discuss your case’s legal issues.
5 stars (60 Reviews)
5 stars (82 Reviews)