Can I Sue if My Accident Was Caused by a Defective Part?
Posted On: January 6, 2025This content has been reviewed by Brian P. Hodgkiss
When you’re involved in a car accident caused by a defective automotive part, you may wonder if you have the legal right to pursue compensation. The short answer is yes. Accidents involving faulty vehicle components often fall under the category of product liability law, which provides avenues for holding manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accountable.
You deserve fair compensation if you’re hurt by a defective vehicle or its components. Explore how product liability applies to faulty car parts, what evidence you need to build a case, and how an experienced Appleton car accident lawyer can improve the outcome of your claim.
Understanding Product Liability in Car Accidents
Product liability laws are designed to protect consumers from harm caused by defective items. In car accidents, these laws apply when a vehicle component, such as brakes, steering systems, or tires, fails and causes an accident.
Three main types of negligence can lead to liability claims:
| Liability Type | Explanation | Example |
| Design Defects | These happen when a vehicle or part is designed in a way that makes it unsafe to use. | A steering system designed with a flaw that causes it to fail during sharp turns. |
| Manufacturing Defects | These occur when errors during production create safety issues, such as improper assembly or defective materials. | Brake pads made with defective materials that crack and fail during normal braking. |
| Failure to Warn or Provide Instructions | These arise when manufacturers or sellers fail to include warnings about risks or instructions for safe use. | Tires sold without warnings about their inability to handle certain speeds, leading to blowouts. |
The Responsibilities of Manufacturers, Distributors, and Retailers
Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of cars and vehicle components have a legal duty to provide safe products. Liability for each party includes:
- Manufacturers: Manufacturing teams have a legal duty to design and produce safe vehicle components. They can be held accountable if a defect results from poor design or errors during production.
- Distributors: These companies are responsible for safely transporting products to retailers. A distributor may share liability if mishandling during shipping causes damage or introduces a defect.
- Retailers: Retailers must ensure the products they sell are safe. Liability may arise if they knowingly sell defective items or fail to address safety issues.
Common Examples of Defective Car Parts
Every year, defective car parts contribute to accidents across Wisconsin. Common issues include:
- Brake Failures: Faulty brakes can make stopping in time impossible, resulting in rear-end collisions or other crashes. For instance, Ferrari has faced recent lawsuits over ongoing brake malfunctions in some models.
- Tire Blowouts: Defects in tire materials or construction can lead to sudden blowouts, causing drivers to lose control. In 2022, Goodyear recalled 173,237 tires due to tread separation, which increased the crash risk.
- Airbag Malfunctions: Airbags that fail to open or deploy too forcefully can cause serious injuries. In 2019, Takata recalled millions of vehicles due to faulty airbags that exploded under high heat and humidity, resulting in injuries and deaths.
- Steering System Failures: Problems with the steering system can make it difficult to control the vehicle, leading to dangerous situations. Honda is recalling 1.7 million vehicles from the 2022-2025 model years due to a defective gearbox worm wheel that affects steering.
- Electrical System Defects: Faulty wiring or other electrical problems can cause fires or disable critical safety features. In 2022, a Wisconsin woman tragically died when her SUV caught fire, and a faulty electrical system prevented her from opening the doors or windows, leaving her trapped inside.
Gathering Evidence for Defective Part Claims
Proving that a defective part caused your accident requires strong evidence. You must link the liable party’s actions or inactions to the defect and its role in the accident. This often involves:
- Expert Testimony: Automotive engineers or mechanics can inspect the defective component and explain how its failure caused the accident, such as brakes not engaging correctly due to a design flaw.
- Product Recalls: Recall notices from the manufacturer can demonstrate their knowledge of the defect. For instance, if the part had been recalled for causing similar issues, it can help show a pattern of negligence, bolstering your case.
- Accident Reports: Police reports and witness statements can provide detailed accounts of the accident and identify the role of a defective part, such as a tire blowout leading to a crash.
- Physical Evidence: The damaged vehicle and the defective part, such as a cracked brake pad or blown-out tire, are crucial for showing the defect’s impact.
- Maintenance Records: Service logs and repair records can confirm that the vehicle was properly maintained, ruling out owner negligence as the cause of the defect.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
If a defective vehicle part caused your accident, you deserve support in holding the manufacturer accountable. Our qualified attorneys at Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers can help you gather evidence, link the defect to your damages, and negotiate with the liable parties for fair compensation.
We have the expertise and resources needed to fight on your behalf. Our team can win you the financial support to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward recovering what you’re owed.
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