Understanding Auto Product Liability

There are two types of auto product liability cases: manufacturing errors and design defects. Generally speaking, manufacturing errors occur during production. For example: a seat belt buckle could be manufactured so that it breaks under pressure - even if the buckle was designed properly. During an accident, passengers could suffer a serious injury if the buckle fails. Similarly, a car with the wrong child safety lock could allow young children to exit the vehicle during transit, posing a serious threat to their safety.

On the other hand, design defects occur before the product is actually produced. For example, a tire might be designed so that the layers of fabric and rubber are not bound together properly. Under the right conditions, the tire could fall apart and cause a serious accident. Sometimes, after-collision explosions and fires are the result of design defects. If a car is designed so that after-collision fires are more likely, the car designer may be held partially liable for any property damage and injuries associated with the defect.

Three common auto product liability cases include tires defects, seat belt failures, and roof-crush accidents. Tire failure can easily lead to blow-outs and shredding. When a tire fails during transit, it can easily cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Although some tire failures are the result of unavoidable circumstances, others are caused by product defects. Similarly, some cars are designed with weak roofs. If the roof collapses during a rollover accident, vehicle passengers could suffer serious injuries.

Do you need a Houston car accident attorney?

If your car accident was caused by a defective automobile product, you may be entitled to financial compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Kennedy Hodges, LLP is a Houston-based law firm committed to helping accident victims recover the money they need and deserve. Call our office today to see what a topnotch Houston personal injury attorney can do for your auto product liability claim. With the right attorney on your side, you can rest assured that your case is in good hands.