Automotive manufacturers certify that the vehicles they make and sell conform to all safety standards. However, motor vehicles roll off assembly lines daily with defects that can potentially lead to a devastating accident. When this happens, you may have the right to seek compensation for any resulting injuries.
The motor vehicle defect lawyers at Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, are ready to guide you through the claims process. Our firm has advocated for injured accident victims across North Carolina for three generations. We take pride in offering clients the assistance and support they need as they recover from life-altering trauma.
Contact us for a free consultation to learn how an experienced Wadesboro car accident attorney from our law firm can help you seek compensation for your injuries and other losses following an accident.
Reasons to Choose Our Automotive Defect Attorneys
Your choice of legal representation can make a difference in the outcome of your legal claims following an auto accident involving a defective vehicle. For years, accident victims have trusted the legal team at Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, to help them stand up to corporations and insurers to demand accountability because:
- We have over 40 years of legal experience representing injured accident victims in North Carolina.
- Our team has built a reputation for offering clients stellar customer service and assertive legal advocacy.
- We work with industry-leading experts who can help us build a compelling case to effectively pursue the maximum financial recovery you deserve.
- Our attorneys have the skill and resources to take even the most complex accident cases to trial.
- We can help you find medical care or specialized treatment for your injuries.
- We charge no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
What Is an Automotive Defect?
A motor vehicle defect refers to an issue with a vehicle or one of its components that arose during the design or manufacturing process and affects the vehicle’s safety. Car manufacturers or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issue auto recalls when they identify vehicle defects. Unfortunately, unreported and unrepaired defects can cause a mechanical issue in a vehicle, leading to a car accident that causes catastrophic injuries. People injured in such crashes may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
Common Automotive Defects Causing Injuries
Common examples of motor vehicle defects that can cause injury accidents include:
- Brake failures, including premature wearing or failure of the brakes to engage
- Defective seat belts, including torn belt fabric or failed belt tensioners
- Faulty airbags, including failure to deploy in a crash or premature deployment
- Steering failures, including loss of power steering or detaching of the steering wheel from the steering column
- Tire defects, including tire blowouts and tread separation
- Engine and transmission failures, including loss of engine power, unintended acceleration, or inability to engage gears
- Inadequate rollover protection
Types of Auto Defect Claims and Product Liability
When you’ve suffered injuries due to a vehicle defect, you could hold the vehicle manufacturer or a part manufacturer accountable by filing a product liability claim. Product liability claims arise from three types of product defects:
- Design defect – A design defect occurs when a product’s specifications make the product inherently unsafe for use. All units built according to the design will have the defect.
- Manufacturing defect – A manufacturing defect occurs when an error during the manufacturing process renders a product unsafe. Manufacturing defects may include using substandard materials or not correctly assembling the product.
- Failure-to-warn – Also called a marketing defect, a failure-to-warn or instruct claim alleges that a manufacturer or retailer failed to provide a product’s purchaser or user with adequate warnings about the risks of using the product or instructions for the product’s safe use. A failure-to-warn claim requires you to show that you wouldn’t have used the product or would have used it differently or safely had you received adequate instructions or warnings.
Proving Manufacturer Liability in Defective Vehicle Cases
In a defective vehicle case, you can hold a vehicle manufacturer or a third-party manufacturer of a faulty part used in the vehicle, such as a tire, brake, or transmission manufacturer, liable for injuries you sustained in a crash caused by the defect. However, proving liability in a defective vehicle case will require evidence proving the defect’s existence and demonstrating how it caused the crash.
Examples of evidence used to prove manufacturer liability for vehicle defects include:
- Accident reconstruction and automotive engineering expert reports and testimony
- Post-accident vehicle inspections
- Logs from the vehicle’s computer
- Vehicle repair and maintenance records
- Accident scene photos and videos
- Surveillance and traffic camera footage
- Police accident reports
- Eyewitness statements
Benefits of Hiring Our Wadesboro Vehicle Defects Attorneys
Pursuing financial recovery after a car crash involving an auto defect can become a complex endeavor. Automotive manufacturers will fight hard to avoid liability for accidents caused by defects in their vehicles.
When you hire the Wadesboro automotive defects attorneys of Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, you’ll benefit from a dedicated, knowledgeable legal team who can take on the challenging legal issues in a vehicle defect case. Let us handle the details of pursuing your legal claims while you focus on your treatment and rehabilitation by:
- Investigating the auto accident to recover proof that the crash occurred due to an auto defect
- Working with top expert witnesses to build a compelling case against manufacturers
- Documenting your injuries, losses, and expenses to ensure we pursue the maximum financial recovery you deserve
- Filing your claims against the manufacturers and dealing with company representatives and defense attorneys
- Vigorously negotiating a settlement that provides you with fair compensation for your ongoing and future losses
- Taking your case to court and trial when litigation becomes necessary to demand automotive manufacturer accountability for your harm and loss.
Talk to Our Experienced Wadesboro Motor Vehicle Defect Lawyers Today
After getting hurt in a motor vehicle accident caused by a defect in your or another driver’s vehicle, get the legal help you need to take on the vehicle manufacturers to demand compensation for the harm and expenses you’ve suffered.
Contact Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a motor vehicle defects lawyer to discuss your legal options for seeking financial recovery.
