Over the past several years, there has been a massive spike in the number of vehicles that have been recalled due to safety issues. Vehicle recalls are averaging more than 50 million each year over the past few years, compared to about 10 million per year in 2011. It is critical for vehicle owners to have the issues repaired when they receive notification of a recall. Failure to do so could result in severe car accidents. If you have suffered injuries due to defective vehicle parts, contact a manufacturing defects lawyer Charlottesville VA families trust from MartinWren, P.C. Call our Charlottesville personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation.
Recall Procedure
Recalls can be implemented either by the automaker or by the federal government. When a recall is issued, it is usually because there is some kind of flaw in the design, production, or operation of the part in question. The flaw is discovered either by the automaker’s own tests, complaints from consumers, or data gathered from accident investigations. This data is compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which has the authority to issue recalls without cooperation by the automaker or vehicle part manufacturer.
For a free legal consultation with a manufacturing defects lawyer serving Charlottesville, call 434-817-3100
When the government is the entity that issues the vehicle recall, the automaker is required to notify all owners and dealers that the vehicle is being recalled. This information must be sent in a letter via first-class mail and contain the instructions for what the consumer should do in order to resolve the defect and safety issue. Any repairs that are required are done free of charge.
A car accident lawyer Charlottesville VA that clients recommend knows that some of the more common vehicle defective issues that have prompted recalls over the past several years include:
- Defective airbags and airbag inflators
- Defective braking system
- Defective electric coolant pump
- Defective ignition switches
- Defective seat belts
- Defective steering systems
- Defective tires
- Defective transmission systems
- Engine stalling issues
- Faulty vehicle wiring
Auto makers may also issue recalls on their own, before the government mandates it, however, any repairs that are necessary to repair the safety issue is still done at the manufacturer’s expense and at no cost to the consumer.
Regardless of whether a recall is voluntary or federally mandated, any injuries that a victim suffers as a result of the defective part allows victims to pursue product liability lawsuits against those parties that are responsible for the defect. This can include the auto maker, as well as the company that actually manufactures the part that is defective.
If you or a member of your family has been injured in a crash caused by a defective auto part, contact MartinWren, P.C. to find out what legal recourse your family may have. Our legal team has extensive experience in product liability lawsuits and will work hard to get you the damages you may be entitled to based on the circumstances of your case. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation with a Charlottesville VA manufacturing defects lawyer.
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