Auto Product Defect

When we purchase a motor vehicle, we are placing our trust in the manufacturer that the vehicle is safe to drive and will not lead us into harm. Unfortunately, it seems like we read about auto recalls or accidents involving an auto product defect in the news week after week. At the Knie & Shealy Law Offices, we provide knowledgeable legal representation to Spartanburg residents and others who have been harmed in motor vehicle accidents caused by product defects. Attorney Patrick E. Knie also can capably assist people in the Greenville area from an office that we maintain there. We understand just how difficult this situation can be for you and your family, and we treat every case with the compassion, dedication, and zeal that it deserves.

Although many parts of a vehicle can be susceptible to product defects, there are some components that seem to be flawed more often than others. Prime examples include seat belts, tires, air bags, brakes, fuel systems, steering systems, and roofs.

There are two ways to establish liability in an auto product defect case. The first method involves establishing that the vehicle or vehicle parts were defectively manufactured. The defective manufacturing may be the result of a technical error at the plant where the part was created, or an issue that results during the shipping process or while the defective item was at the car dealership.

The second method involves showing that the vehicle is based on an unreasonably dangerous design. This means that the product was manufactured appropriately, but its blueprint is unreasonably dangerous. In many cases, a vehicle containing an unreasonably safe design can be sold on the market for several years before the nature of the flaw is discovered.

In many situations, it may be appropriate to bring a strict liability claim against a manufacturer or supplier for defects in a vehicle or component. This means that the plaintiff needs to prove either that the vehicle or part contained a manufacturing defect, or that the vehicle or part contained an unreasonably dangerous design. Other theories of recovery include breach of express warranties and breach of implied warranties.

The plaintiff also would need to show that the defendant’s defective manufacturing or unreasonably safe design was the cause of the accident. The last step involves providing evidence of the damages that the victim suffered as a result. If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident and believe that a product defect was to blame, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention for you and anyone else in the vehicle. Tending to your injuries not only ensures that you recuperate, but it also creates a medical record of the extent of your injuries that can be used to calculate the damages to which you are entitled during settlement negotiations or trial.

When bringing a lawsuit to claim damages for an auto part defect, it is important to name all of the parties involved in the vehicle manufacturing process. Commonly named defendants include the manufacturer, various parts manufacturers, car dealerships, automotive supplies, middlemen, shippers, and used car dealers.

If you or someone you know has been hurt as the result of an auto product defect, you may be entitled to compensation. The last thing any accident victim should have to deal with is navigating the legal system while recovering from his or her injuries. With 40 years of experience, car crash lawyer Patrick E. Knie has helped people in the Spartanburg area as well as in Greenville and elsewhere in South Carolina. Our clients have come from across Cherokee, Greenville, Union, and Laurens Counties. Call the Knie & Shealy Law Offices at (864) 582-5118 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.