Reasons for Car Recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) that establish minimum performance requirements for motor vehicles. Airbags, brakes, safety belts, and other vehicle components must meet FMVSS in order to be used by the public. If they do not meet those requirements after the sale of the vehicle, a recall of individual parts or entire vehicles may be issued.

Recalls take place when a vehicle or component is so unsafe that it can cause danger or injuries to passengers or others on the roadways. If a recall is issued, vehicle owners should follow instructions released by the manufacturer to make their vehicles safe. Sometimes that requires a complete return of the vehicle because it is so unsafe. However, often, that only requires fixing an unsafe part.

If you were injured in a vehicle that was subject to a recall, contact the Chicago product liability attorneys at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. today at (312) 236-2900. We can help you through the personal injury claims process to obtain compensation for injuries sustained as a result of the unsafe vehicle.

Types of Defects that Lead to Recall

The most common vehicle-related defects are:

• Design defects: A part of the vehicle was not designed as safely as it should have been, leading to an unsafe vehicle that could cause accidents and injuries. For example, the Takata airbag recall has been one of the most massive vehicle recalls in recent history, affecting 19 automakers and 42 million vehicles in the U.S., and ultimately leading to 11 deaths and 180 injuries across the country. The Takata airbags were defectively designed with an inflator, which when exposed to humidity and moisture, could explode.
• Manufacturing defect: The parts and vehicle were designed safely, yet an error led to a part being made or assembled incorrectly and creating a hazard. The current Buick LaCrosse recall is an example of a manufacturing defect. The electrical wiring was not properly crimped to form a seal, which led to the cable being installed incorrectly and left room for corrosive moisture.

Liability When a Recall Issue Leads to a Collision

When a defect within a vehicle is not yet discovered or publicly known, then the liable party is usually the company responsible for the defect, such as the vehicle or part manufacturer. However, who is responsible when a defect was made public through a recall notice and the owner of the vehicle did not make the repair? If the owner of a defective vehicle knew or should have known about the recall and had a reasonable amount of time to address the issue, then the owner may be partly liable for the consequences of an accident caused by the defect.

A Chicago Product Liability Lawyer Can Help

If you were injured due to a defective auto part, or if you were involved in a car accident that resulted from a vehicle subject to a recall, contact our Chicago personal injury lawyers today to learn more about your options. Our car accident attorneys serve clients throughout the Chicago area, including Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Joliet, Naperville, and Waukegan. We can explain the relevant laws to you and help you determine who might be responsible for your injuries. Call Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. today at (312) 236-2900.