Suing Car Companies for Vehicle Defects: What You Should Know
Texans know how much a reliable vehicle matters. We trust car manufacturers and sellers with our safety, so when vehicle defects cause injury, the responsible parties should be held accountable.
At Reed & Terry, LLP serving Katy, Richmond, and Sugar Land, TX, our product liability lawyers have taken the fight to big car manufacturers when defective auto parts injure everyday drivers like you. If you find yourself in a position where you’re considering suing a car company for a vehicle defect, here’s what you should know.
Your Best Bet Is a Product Liability Lawsuit
When someone suffers an injury from a defective vehicle, they may be able to hold the manufacturer and/or seller accountable through a product liability lawsuit. However, just because a car, motorcycle, or other vehicle is defective doesn’t necessarily mean another party is liable for the injury. If the following statements apply to your situation, you should contact our liability lawyers for a free consultation:
- You were using the vehicle as intended and have not altered it since it has been in your possession
- The vehicle was unreasonably hazardous
- The manufacturer or seller did not provide adequate warning of the hazardous defect
- The defect caused your injury
In car defect liability cases, fault most often lies with the manufacturer, but the dealership can also be held liable if they were responsible for the defect, any damage that led to the defect, or if they lied about or attempted to conceal the defect from the buyer.
The team at Reed & Terry can help you determine where liability for your injuries lies during a complimentary consultation at one of our law offices in Sugar Land, Katy, Richmond, and Victoria, TX.
Virtually Any Car Part Can Be Defective
These are just a few examples of the defective auto parts our lawyers have encountered when helping clients with product liability claims:
- Defective airbags
- Poorly constructed tires
- Malfunctioning seat belts
- Improperly secured car seats
- Broken door locks
- Faulty fuel pumps
- Unstable steering components
- Hazardous electrical wiring
You Can Recover Compensation for Your Injuries
Parties injured by defective car parts can recover damages to compensate losses associated with their injuries.
Economic damages compensate injured parties for monetary losses, like medical bills, missed wages from time off work, and the cost to repair or replace the defective vehicle.
Non-economic damages financially compensate injured parties for non-monetary hardships related to the injury, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and disability.
In very rare cases, punitive damages may apply. Also known as exemplary damages, these are intended to punish the responsible party for gross negligence or misconduct. Punitive damages require “clear and convincing evidence” as burden of proof rather than “a preponderance of evidence” as with standard negligence, so they can be difficult to obtain.
You Need a Lawyer in Your Corner
Car companies have strong legal defenses in place that make it extremely difficult for the average person to successfully take action against them. You stand a much greater chance of recovering damages and holding those at fault accountable by retaining the services of a knowledgeable product liability attorney.
At Reed & Terry, LLP, we’re ready to stand by your side. Contact us for a free review of your case at our Richmond, Victoria, Sugar Land, or Katy, TX, law offices.