Filing a lawsuit for an accident caused by a vehicle defect is one of the most difficult types of car accident cases. The liable party is usually the vehicle manufacturer, a big corporation with plenty of legal resources and experience to fight accident claims.
There are many types of defects that can cause accidents. The evidence to prove liability can be much different than that used to prove liability in your typical car accident claim. Let Buttafuoco & Associates help you bring your lawsuit. We will compile the evidence and fight the vehicle manufacturer to get you the compensation you need. Call 1-800-NOW-HURT.
Types of Defective Vehicle Design
A vehicle designed or manufactured with a defect raises the risk of an accident. The following are some examples of vehicle defects:
- Defective airbags
- Gas pedals that stick or become trapped by loose floor mats
- Problematic seatbelts
- Child car seats that do not secure properly
- Wiring too close to heat sources
- Tires with tread not properly secured to the tire wall
In some defective vehicle cases, the defect is present at the time of the vehicle’s design. In other cases, the defect occurs during the manufacturing process and may only affect vehicles built in a certain plant or at a certain time.
Liability in a Defective Vehicle Design Accident
Liability for an accident related to defective vehicle design likely falls on the manufacturer. Either the vehicle’s manufacturer or the manufacturer of a specific component can be liable for damages. If the defect was in the vehicle’s design, the manufacturer is typically liable for a defective product design. If a specific part such as the tires or airbag was defective, it might be the manufacturer of that component who is held liable – and in some cases the vehicle manufacturer too.
It is important to fully investigate the case to identify the party liable for the defect and resultant accident. Let us help. Buttafuoco & Associates thoroughly evaluates every case so we identify and hold liable the party responsible for your accident.
Evidence to Prove Defective Vehicle Design Caused Your Accident
There are two types of evidence you must provide to file an injury claim for a defective vehicle: evidence that demonstrates the cause of the accident and evidence establishing the value of your damages.
The following evidence is the standard types of most car accidents:
- Photographs or video of the accident scene
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Medical records
To obtain evidence that a vehicle is defective or contains a defective part, you need to thoroughly investigate the accident. The vehicle itself is important physical evidence in the case, so do not allow the vehicle to be destroyed. Ask where the towing company is taking the vehicle and request that they do not destroy it.
We will handle the investigation for you. We hire expert witnesses, engineers, and accident reconstruction experts to help prove a vehicle defect caused your wreck.
Potential Damages for a Defective Vehicle Design Accident
Damages caused by a defective vehicle will typically include all of the basic damages for a standard car accident:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering (if the injury was severe)
A special type of damages known as punitive damages may also apply to your claim. This type of damages serves as a punishment to the manufacturer for producing a dangerous vehicle or component. These damages are not applicable to every case, however.
To ensure you are obtaining the full amount of compensation you are due, make sure you work with a New York car accident lawyer. Buttafuoco & Associates has the knowledge and resources to go up against vehicle manufacturers and hold them accountable for their negligence.
Call 1-800-NOW-HURT to schedule a free case evaluation.
