Injuries Caused by Automobile Defects
San Antonio Personal Injury Lawyers — Injuries Caused by Automobile Defects
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Overview of Injuries and Deaths Caused by Automobile Defects and the Failure of Car Safety Features
For over two decades, our law firm has represented clients in the San Antonio area injured in automobile accidents caused by vehicle defects. A defective automobile introduces a layer of liability that goes beyond driver negligence — it reaches the manufacturer, distributor, or installer whose failure to produce a safe product put you in danger. Automobile defects occur in many forms, and the following overview covers the most common types our attorneys have seen in cases throughout South Texas.
Airbag Defects
Airbags have become one of the most significant sources of automobile defect litigation over the past two decades. These systems are designed to deploy precisely during a collision to cushion occupants and prevent crushing injuries from the steering wheel or dashboard. When they work correctly, they save lives. When they fail — either by not deploying at all, deploying with excessive force, or deploying at the wrong time — the consequences can be catastrophic.
One of the most widely recognized design problems in airbag history involved the failure to account for how close many drivers actually sit to the steering wheel and the danger posed to smaller adults and children seated in the front. Early airbag systems deployed with enough force to cause severe head and chest injuries to adults positioned too close, and caused fatalities in children. These design failures led to widespread recalls and regulatory changes, including guidelines that children should not ride in the front seat until they reach a specified age and size. The Takata airbag recall — one of the largest automotive recalls in history — involved inflators that could rupture and send metal fragments into vehicle occupants, resulting in deaths and serious injuries across multiple manufacturers’ vehicles.
Tire Defects
Tires are among the most safety-critical components of any vehicle, and defects in their design, manufacturing, or installation produce predictably dangerous results at highway speeds. Tread separation — where the outer layer of the tire detaches from the underlying structure — is one of the most common and deadly defect types, frequently causing drivers to lose control without warning. Blowouts caused by improper mounting, manufacturing defects in the sidewall, or failure to meet load and speed ratings appropriate for the vehicle are also recurring causes of serious crashes. Tire manufacturers issue recalls regularly for these issues, and when a defective tire causes an accident, the manufacturer’s liability under Texas product liability law can be substantial.
Brake Defects
Brakes are the primary safety system that allows a driver to manage speed and avoid collisions, and when they fail, the results are serious. Brake failures can stem from worn pads that were not replaced, improper installation during manufacturing or a service visit, corroded or leaking brake lines, and defective master cylinders or ABS components. What makes brake defects particularly dangerous is that they often give no warning until the failure occurs at the worst possible moment — while the driver is attempting to slow down in traffic or approaching an intersection. When a brake defect was caused by a manufacturing error or an improper installation by a repair facility, those parties bear direct liability for the resulting crash and injuries.
Your Rights When a Vehicle Defect Caused Your Accident
Automobile defect cases do not require that you were driving a defective vehicle yourself. If someone else’s vehicle had a defect that caused them to lose control and strike you, you have the same right to pursue the manufacturer or other responsible parties as the driver of the defective vehicle would. These cases involve product liability law, which allows injured parties to hold manufacturers, distributors, and sellers accountable when a defective product causes harm — regardless of whether the defendant was negligent in a traditional sense.
If you were injured in an accident that you believe involved an automobile defect, contact our office today for a free consultation. We will evaluate your case, identify the responsible parties, and provide the experienced legal representation you need to pursue fair compensation. Visit this website for more information.