MECHANICAL FAILURE CAR ACCIDENTS

Injury Attorney in Fairfield Helps With Car Accidents Claims Caused By Mechanical Failures

Car accidents result in thousands of deaths each year. Often these accidents are due to driver error or unsafe traffic and road conditions. In some cases, car accidents are caused by mechanical failures and are out of a driver’s control. Mechanical failure can be the direct cause of a car collision or the initial action that elevates a minor accident into a more serious incident. If you have been involved in a car accident of any sort, consult an experienced personal injury attorney in Fairfield who can investigate the cause of the accident.

A car is a complex machine filled with a variety of components and features. Each equipment has a specific role in ensuring the vehicle runs smoothly and protects you while on the road. Unfortunately, some of the equipment can malfunction such as:

• Body and frame
• Engine assembly
• Seatbelt fastening or locking
• Braking system
• Airbags
• Electrical system
• Exhaust system
• Lubrication system
• Tires
• Steering machinery
• Fuel system
• Suspension system
• Headlights

All of the above car parts can malfunction in various ways, resulting in a car accident or an increase in the severity of injury. There are several parties that could be considered liable, including the manufacturer, seller, or someone who worked on the vehicle. Proving liability is not an easy process and only a skilled injury attorney in Fairfield can do the best to investigate your case and fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Mechanical failure can arise from a flaw in the design or an error in the actual production of the vehicle. The laws that relate to these cases apply to all vehicles, such as four-door sedans as well as motorcycles. Below is a general overview of the different types of relevant law, but always speak with an attorney regarding your specific case.

Strict liability

Strict liability law requires a plaintiff to prove that a vehicle or part of a vehicle was dangerously defective when it left the manufacturing facility or the sales lot. It does not require proof that a manufacturer failed in their duty to create a safe product, and so may be easier to establish fault in the defendant. Some of the requirements for strict liability are:

• The vehicle or a component of it had an unreasonable defect that caused injury. This defect could arise from design, manufacture, shipping, or even by not warning consumers of a dangerous aspect of the vehicle.
• The defect caused injury during reasonable and intended use. This includes any foreseeable use, even if not exactly what the vehicle was intended for. For example, though vehicles are not intended to be driven at 100 mph, a vehicle should not explode at this speed since it is not outside the realm of possibility for a driver to go this fast.
• The vehicle has not been substantially changed since leaving possession of the defendant. This means that the performance of the vehicle has not changed.

Negligence

Negligence law requires a plaintiff to prove that the company that designed or manufactured the vehicle acted negligently in its production. The company or individual that performed maintenance on the vehicle acted negligently in making, or not making, reparations. Negligence law requires the individual to prove the defendant had a duty of care, which they did not fulfill and that this failure to fulfill a duty resulted in the car collision that caused damage or injury. Negligence may be the preferred argument if it’s clear part of the car was manufactured or designed poorly.

Mechanical failure can cause serious injuries, even death, and can accumulate large amounts of medical bills and property repair bills. If you have experienced any pain and suffering due to your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. Whatever your case may be, a skilled attorney can provide the best form of action to fight your lawsuit. Bringing cases up against big manufacturing companies can be a tough fight. Some weaknesses in a case are:

• Long-term possession – if a plaintiff has owned the vehicle involved in the collision for some time, it may be argued that there was knowledge of the defect. Using the vehicle when there is knowledge of a defect limits the responsibility of the defendant. Part of establishing strict liability is maintaining that the performance of the vehicle has not changed since the vehicle left possession of the defendant. The manufacturer or seller’s insurance company can examine the vehicle’s condition in the case of a claim.
• Comparative negligence – defendants may argue that the plaintiff acted negligently and is partially or totally responsible for the collision.

Punitive Damages

Often and increasingly, punitive damages are awarded in product liability cases. The aim of punitive damages is to financially punish the defendant and to deter the company from repeating whatever action caused the injury or damage. Mechanical failure in the case of vehicles can have devastating effects. The last thing a driver wants as they barrel down a highway at 70 mph is for the vehicle to unexpectedly fail. Driving is a very common and dangerous activity that affects most Americans daily. Car companies that have been found guilty of selling a subpar product that results in death or injury have been forced to pay damages of millions of dollars.

Have you been involved in an incident you suspect is due to a mechanical failure? You should contact a knowledgeable and experienced injury attorney in Fairfield to take on your case and get you the compensation you deserve.

Additional Resources

• CAR ACCIDENTS
• REAR-END ACCIDENTS
• MECHANICAL FAILURE CAR ACCIDENTS
• MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
• SEMI TRUCK ACCIDENTS