Car Defect Injury Claims

Most products are not made perfectly, but a defective vehicle component can potentially cause a fatal accident. Car defects pose safety hazards on the road because they can either directly contribute to a crash or fail to protect you from the impact of a collision. Errors typically happen during the design or manufacturing phase of car production.

During the initial design stage, automotive engineers may overlook key safety precautions or design certain parts with unforeseen negative effects. Manufacturers can also make mistakes when installing or assembling various components. Both types of defects can result in unintended consequences that put car owners in jeopardy.

Filing an Illinois Product Liability Claim

Under Illinois law, you have the right to file a personal injury claim if you suffered bodily injury from a car defect. You will need to offer proof that a design or manufacturing defect was a major causal factor in your accident. Common car defects include:

• Airbag Failure – Airbags are essential for protection, but when they fail to deploy properly during a car accident, you can suffer serious injuries. On the flip side, defective airbags can also rupture when they are not supposed to, causing unnecessary bruises or burns. Most recently, Takata instituted a nationwide recall on defective airbag inflators that affect 19 million vehicles.
• Brake Failure – Although complete brake failure is uncommon, deficiencies in the braking system, such as oil contamination and misaligned brake linings, will negatively impact performance. Your car may require greater stopping distance, and you may not be able to avoid an accident in time.
• Tire Blowouts – Tire blowouts can happen when your tire treads start to detach unexpectedly. Improper tread wear may cause rapid deflation and tire imbalance; consequently, you are likely to lose control of the vehicle.
• Seatbelt Malfunction – The seatbelt system was invented to keep you safe and buckled in at all times on the road. However, when a seatbelt unbuckles or breaks during the course of a collision, you can be ejected from your seat and become critically injured.
• Roof Collapse – Modern car roofs are equipped with roll bars or cages to protect drivers during a rollover accident. When these parts fail to hold up, a resulting roof collapse can kill the driver and maim other occupants.

In order to identify the liable party and substantiate your claim, you may need help from a knowledgeable product liability attorney. If you or someone you love suffered a car accident due to an auto defect, Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. can guide you through the entire legal process. We maintain a track record of success in supporting product liability victims, and we also provide a network of resources including technical experts to analyze your case.

Our attorneys serve clients throughout the Chicago area, including Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Joliet, Naperville, and Waukegan. The Chicago personal injury attorneys at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. are 100 percent committed to fighting for the compensation that you and your family deserves. Call us today at (312) 236-2900 to set up a free consultation. Rest assured, we do not charge legal fees unless you win a recovery.