Car Accidents Caused by Defective Vehicles

Every day, there are stories in the news about vehicle accidents involving drunk, tired, or distracted drivers. Another common danger that can easily lead to a severe accident is motor vehicle defects. Accidents due to defective cars, trucks, SUVs, or vans are less often discussed but just as deadly. Motor vehicles comprise numerous complicated pieces. If any are incorrectly manufactured, they can cause the whole machine to fail with catastrophic results.

At the Mann Law Firm, we have successfully represented victims throughout Georgia who have been seriously hurt due to defective vehicle parts. We have also assisted families who have lost loved ones due to defective vehicles.

If manufacturers discover a potentially dangerous product, they must warn about the hazards promptly. Hiding known problems, cutting corners on costs, and ignoring safety standards are unnecessary risks that jeopardize public safety. This is especially true when the product is a two-ton machine capable of high speeds.

When it is suspected that a defect caused a motor vehicle accident in part or total, the victims or their families can seek compensation by filing a product liability lawsuit. There are typically many possible defendants such as vehicle manufacturers, parts manufacturers, parts supply stores, dealerships, and shippers. The main legal arguments in such an action are that the vehicle was defective because:

• Its design was flawed
• Its assembly was faulty
• There was a known danger of which consumers were not adequately warned.

• Faulty airbags
• Faulty brake systems
• Faulty electrical systems
• Faulty steering systems
• Faulty tires
• Poor structure
• Spontaneous acceleration
• Design defects that cause rollovers.

Another type of defect affects a vehicle’s crashworthiness rather than the probability of crashing. This type comes into play when an accident happens and a component either fails to protect vehicle occupants from injury or causes injury to them that otherwise would not have occurred.

Examples include:

• Defective airbags
• Weak roofs
• Defective fuel systems
• Faulty window or door latches
• Faulty seatbelts.

While recalls are great in principle, they leave much to be desired in practice. As many as one in six recalled vehicles are never brought in for repair, leaving millions of potentially dangerous cars on the road.

The term “defect” is often used in conjunction with the word “recall,” which can be issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or voluntarily by a manufacturer upon identifying a problem. A record 868 separate recalls that affected 51.2 million vehicles were issued in 2015 amid several high-profile concerns, such as Takata’s exploding airbags, General Motors’ defective ignition switches, and the emissions-test misrepresentations by Volkswagen.

Past recalls have addressed sudden acceleration in 9 million Toyotas, cruise-control switches that presented fire risk in 4.5 million Ford pickup trucks, and SUVs and separated motor mounts in over 6 million GM vehicles. This month, Nissan recalled over 54,000 Versas due to airbags that may deploy unexpectedly when the door is slammed shut; Mercedes-Benz recalled more than 300,000 vehicles for a possible fire hazard; and Hyundai recalled almost 978,000 cars to fix seatbelts that could detach in a crash.

Because they cannot contact an experienced attorney or auto defect lawyer, many accident victims remain unaware of the reasons for their crashes and injuries. For example, suppose you were involved in a car accident and you or the other driver were operating a defective car. In that case, you might have a product liability claim against certain parties and a negligent driving claim against the driver. We thoroughly investigate and analyze all potential causes and liable parties at the Mann Law Firm.

As defective vehicle accident lawyers, we have a successful record of representing people across Georgia who have been seriously injured or killed by defective cars. If you believe a defect was responsible for your crash, call us today at (478) 739-4723 or submit our online form to talk to an attorney about the details of your accident. We will help you achieve a fair settlement, and if the responsible parties are unwilling to pay such an amount, we will take your case to trial. We have extensive experience handling vehicle defect cases in Macon, Dublin, Warner Robins, Milledgeville, and throughout the state.

You need a competent attorney to handle your defective vehicle lawsuit thoroughly. Mann Law Firm recognizes the intimidation involved in choosing the right lawyer. With nearly 30 years of experience practicing law, David Mann has handled various legal matters.

Here are a few reasons why this law firm is right for you.

Depth of Experience

Mann Law Firm has been helping people who have suffered severe injuries in his community obtain compensation for their losses for more than 50 years. As a Macon personal injury lawyer, David Mann has experience negotiating maximum settlements or winning trials.

Insurance Background

As a former insurance company employee, David Mann has unique insight into how insurance companies work and uses this to his advantage when negotiating settlements.

Dedicated to Georgians

We have been helping Georgians for a long time. Two generations of our family have dedicated themselves to getting injured people back on their feet. After graduating from law school, David Mann joined his father’s firm as a lead attorney.

Personal Injury Lawyer

David Mann has experience representing plaintiffs and defending insurers. To achieve results, he draws on his experience which is another reason why Mann Law Firm is the best law firm to assist you with your case.

Let’s look at some frequently asked questions concerning this type of accident, to help you better understand your situation.

Should You File a Lawsuit or Let the Insurance Company Handle It?

Car insurance company lawyers can settle your case, but that might not always be the best solution. Depending on expert testimony, medical records, photographic evidence, and witness testimony, you may need an experienced lawyer to represent your best interests.

If the Airbags Did Not Deploy, Do You Have a Case Against the Manufacturer?

An airbag may or may not deploy in a collision. If you suspect a defective airbag, a team of engineers must determine what circumstances were supposed to trigger the airbags. After this has been determined, we can help you work out whether a product liability or lemon law claim is the best approach.

What Happens if You Are Partly at Fault in a Car Accident, even with a Defective Vehicle?

At Mann Law Firm, we can investigate and analyze the causes of an accident, including defective equipment, a malfunctioning traffic signal, and even intoxication. Then, judges and juries should decide who is at fault.

If You File a Case, Will You Go to Court?

An attorney can settle your case for what you believe it is worth or for what the insurance company for another driver agrees to pay, meaning your case will not go to court. However, some cases do require a formal trial. Therefore, you also need a law firm with experience handling such cases.

Do You Have to See a Doctor, even if You Don’t Think You’re Injured?

Consult a doctor or medical professional to determine whether you and your passengers are injured after an accident. You may not even know the extent of your injuries or whether they will worsen with time.

We hope that these answers help you to better understand defective vehicle accident cases in Georgia. We recognize that this list is not comprehensive, and you probably have a lot more questions.

We Investigate Your Case

We don’t leave anything to chance. Our team will inspect your case. Medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering can be compensated for through a Georgia personal injury lawsuit under Georgia law. During the accident investigation our personal injury attorneys can assist you.

We Protect Your Interests

Protecting your interests is our top priority. Remember that the police are neutral and cannot investigate or protect your situation. Employers often try to settle workers’ compensation claims for the most negligible amounts.

We Negotiate with Insurance Companies

We take care of communications and negotiations with insurance companies. As a Macon personal injury attorney, David Mann is involved whenever a personal injury case arises. He also has experience working in an insurance company which gives him added insight.

We Offer Important Insights

When you file a personal injury lawsuit, it is encouraging to know that your attorney, David Mann, knows the defense strategies that insurers use as he has worked in an insurance company. David Mann anticipates what’s coming before it happens and can better plan for it.

We Fight for Maximum Compensation

Our goal is always to obtain maximum compensation for our clients. It has been our privilege to provide legal services to hundreds of residents in the Macon area during difficult times. We understand the impact a severe injury or an unexpected death has on a family. It is only right that people who are injured by another person’s recklessness or negligence be compensated.