Car Accidents Caused by Defective Parts – 3 Potentially Negligent Parties (Number 2 Might Surprise You)

Liability from accidents caused by defective parts can vary dependent on the situation. 

Defective parts are a dangerous and often unexpected cause of car crashes.

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injuries across the US. The Centers for Disease Control recently reported there were over 2.1 million emergency room visits across the country due to car accidents.  

In California, fatalities from car crashes cost 5.83 billion dollars. This is over 530 million dollars more than our neighbors in Nevada.

You’re probably aware of many different types of car accidents, such as:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Improper lane usage
• Drunk driving
• Wrong turns
• Drowsy driving

While not as common as the aforementioned accidents, crashes from defective parts are more frequent than others probably realize. 

Defective parts in cars can be caused by a number of factors. One leading cause is part recalls. 

For example, Ford recalled parts on a number of 2011-2019 Explorers in early 2024. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a “detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle”.

Defective parts like the detached piece can create a serious hazard and increase the chances of an accident. 

Think of a situation where Paola is driving on the 101 when a piece of the vehicle in front of her flies off into the freeway. She hits the car piece and spins around, crashing into other vehicles. 

Paola suffers a broken arm and concussion like symptoms following the accident. 

This is without a doubt a terrifying situation to think about. The defective parts created a life or death situation.

Just like other car accidents, Paola could purse compensation following her injuries. Potential compensation, or damages, could include:

• Medical costs and expenses in relation to injuries from the accident
• Lost wages due to the inability to work
• Any pain or suffering as a result of the crash

There are a number of possible parties who might be held negligent.

First, Paola could could seek damages from the owner of the vehicle. This would be more dependent on how negligent the driver was.

For example, if the driver new about the recall or any other defective parts, they might be found responsible for the accident. This is oftentimes difficult to prove, as the driver may have genuinely not known about a part recall, or the recall could have been announced that same day. 

Another party potentially responsible could be the automobile manufacturer. 

Drivers should expect the utmost quality of parts and service when they buy a new car. Failure of the car manufacturer to help keep passengers safe could be negligent. 

Paola could possibly seek damages from the company that designed the part or parts if they weren’t made by the same company as the manufacturer. 

Defective parts come in many different ways, including:

• Issues with braking
• Tires improperly installed
• Transmission failure
• Steering problems
• Suspension troubles
• Obstacles with headlights

If you were in an accident caused by defective parts, you should treat your immediate response the same as other car crashes. While it’s normal to feel shaken up, it’s important to remember:

• Call 911.
• Remain in your vehicle until first responders arrive.
• File a police report.
• If safe to do so, take pictures and video of the accident scene.
• If it seems safe, get the other driver’s contact, like name, email, and vehicle information.

Car accidents caused by defective parts can lead to serious injuries such as:

• Broken bones
• Deep cuts
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Long-term injuries (chronic pain)
• Whiplash or other neck damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Loss of limbs
• Paralysis
• Death

The LA car accident lawyers at C&B Law Group have helped clients settle thousands of cases. We believe we can help you, too.

With a track record of successfully settling over 99 percent of our personal injury cases, we strive to make sure our clients have a positive experience.

Clients have described our attorneys as passionate, professional, and trustworthy. 

If you’re looking for assistance following a car accident, our legal team is dedicated to seeing your success. 

Reach out to C&B Law Group today for a no-cost consultation.