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Frequently Asked Questions about Motor Vehicle Defects
Q: What is "crashworthiness?"
A: Crashworthiness is the ability of a vehicle to prevent injuries to the occupants in the event of a collision.
Q: How does the fact that a driver may have caused an accident affect a crashworthiness action?
A: The doctrine of crashworthiness centers around the enhancement of injuries caused by a motor vehicle defect. The issue becomes whether the defect increased the injuries, and fault of a person injured does not prevent recovery on a crashworthiness action. The fault issue may arise when the court or jury weighs the comparative fault of the individual causing the accident with the fault of the manufacturer, so that a reduction in the amount of damages you are entitled to may result.
A used car dealer has a duty to discover and repair any obvious defects in the vehicle, or defects that are reasonably discoverable.
Missouri Trial Attorneys - Serving Clients Nationwide
Auto product defects
Auto defects can cause catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. If you have a relative who has been injured or killed in an accident involving a defective airbag or other car defects, contact the attorneys at Langdon & Emison. Make sure you know your rights. This page has general information about motor vehicle defects. For help with your case, talk to the lawyers at Langdon & Emison.
We serve clients throughout the United States from offices near Kansas City in historic Lexington, Missouri. Our law firm represents people who have been injured and families of those who have died as a result of accidents or defective products.
If you or a family member has been in an auto accident or seriously injured by a defective product, discuss your case with lawyers who care about your recovery and your future. Contact the lawyers at Langdon & Emison. We offer free initial consultations.
Motor Vehicle Defects - An Overview
Most motor vehicles are safely designed and carefully manufactured. Some, however, are carelessly made or improperly designed. Poorly designed or defectively produced vehicles can be dangerous and can cause serious injury or death.
Responsibility for Defective Motor Vehicles
The laws governing responsibility for defective motor vehicles and what must be proven in court to establish liability vary from state to state. In most states, the parties who may held liable include:
- The vehicle manufacturer
- The manufacturer of defective component parts such as tires, hoses etc.
- The dealer, if the vehicle was purchased from a dealer
Several different reasons exist for holding a party liable for harm caused by a motor vehicle defect. The three most common legal theories for finding someone liable are breach of warranty, negligence, and strict liability. An experienced products liability attorney can advise you about the rules that apply in your state to your situation involving a defective motor vehicle.
The Concept of "Crashworthiness"
The most important concept in vehicle defect liability cases is "crashworthiness". Crashworthiness is the ability of a vehicle to prevent injuries to the occupants in the event of a collision. During a collision, a vehicle's occupants are subject to a number of forces that can result in injury, including rapid deceleration and rapid acceleration, depending on the direction of impact in the collision. Crashworthiness deals primarily with the 'second collision' that results from these forces, in which the driver and passengers collide against the interior of the vehicle. An effective crashworthy vehicle design will distribute these injurious forces over as great a period of time and distance as possible, including by directing them to parts of the body that are more capable of withstanding them.
Elements of a Motor Vehicle Defect Claim
Unlike an ordinary personal injury claim for negligence, in order to establish a vehicle manufacturer or seller's liability for a vehicle defect, you do not need to show that they were careless, and that their carelessness led to your accident or injury. Instead, liability in motor vehicle defect cases is controlled by the doctrine of strict liability.
Vehicle Safety & Restraint Devices
Vehicle safety is a significant consideration, both in terms of liability for injuries resulting from automobile accidents, and when the average consumer is shopping for a new car. Every new passenger vehicle must meet federal standards specifying minimum safety levels, but this doesn't mean all cars are equally safe. There still are important safety differences. Identifying the safest car on the road is impossible, but it is possible to shop for a safer car because some vehicle characteristics are inherently safer than others, and many automakers offer safety features beyond the required minimums.
Motor Vehicle Defects RECALLS
One of the most common vehicle defect issues faced by the public is that of safety recalls of a motor vehicle. Safety recalls are usually instigated by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the vehicle manufacturers themselves, in response to a discovered defect in a vehicle or a component of that vehicle. So it is important to understand the procedure that is followed in vehicle recalls, and the respective responsibilities of those involved.
Motor Vehicle Defects Resource Links
Consumer Complaints Search Engine
From the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), part of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). Search for or file consumer complaints about vehicles, equipment, child safety seats, and tires.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Guide for Consumers
An FTC auto guide for consumers.
The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety
Nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing losses from vehicle crashes. News and data related to vehicle safety, including testing and vehicle ratings.
