Sometimes auto accidents aren’t caused by another driver’s negligence, but by a defect in your car, SUV or motorcycle. If you’ve been injured in an accident and suspect that you were driving a vehicle with a defective part or design, it’s important to understand what your case entails when you decide to take legal action.
Types of Claims
If you’re filing a motor vehicle products liability claim, it will likely fall under one of two categories: defectively manufactured vehicle or vehicle parts or vehicles with an unreasonably dangerous design. If your car is defectively manufactured, it could be due to an error that occurred wherever the car was manufactured or at some point during the car’s delivery to the dealership. Cars with an unreasonably dangerous design have an error in its design that renders it harmful to its drivers and passengers. Unfortunately, a design error can be present for an extended period of time before posing a threat.
Identifying Defendants
When filing a lawsuit, you want to give your list of defendants some thought. This can include the car manufacturer, the parts manufacturer, the car dealership or a used car dealer. Anyone in the “chain of distribution” of the vehicle can be named as a defendant in your case.
Proving Your Claim
In order to secure a favorable outcome, you’ll have to prove that you were injured and suffered losses. Some examples of losses include loss of wages or loss of companionship. You’ll also need to prove that your car had an error in its manufacturing or design and it is a direct cause of your injuries. This facet of your case is often the most difficult to prove – defendants will typically try and argue that your injuries were a result of driver error and not a defective product.
If you’ve been injured from an accident and have reason to believe your injuries are a result of an auto product defect, do not hesitate to contact a Corpus Christi personal injury attorney from Sico Hoelscher Harris & Braugh, LLP. Call our firm at (877) 653-3334 today or fill out our online form to request your free consultation.