Contrary to the popular belief, car drivers are not always to blame for car accidents. Some car crashes all across California occur due to defective auto parts.
But when can you file a product liability claim after a car crash that was caused by defective auto parts? We asked our California product liability lawyer from Licata & Yeremenko, A Professional Law Corporation to find out.
Any product can become defective. Cars, auto parts, and components are no exception. Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and other parties in the chain of distribution can be held liable for any injuries, damages, and losses caused by a design defect, manufacturing defect, or failure to provide adequate warning of risks or instruction of proper use.
The Distressing Truth About Suing Auto Manufacturers In California
Let us be completely honest with you. If you or your loved one has been injured in a car crash caused by a defective auto part, recovering compensation will not be an easy or quick process. After all, you will most likely be up against multi-million or multi-billion-dollar auto manufacturers and their best product liability lawyers in California.
These corporations have millions of dollars to defend themselves against product liability claims and dispute your allegations. Therefore, if you want to recover compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, pain, and suffering, and other damages, it is important to be represented by an experienced product liability attorney in California.
Who Can Be Sued For A Car Crash Caused By Defective Auto Parts?
After a car accident that has been caused by a defective auto part, it is not immediately clear who can be held liable for your resulting damages. More often than not, you can sue several parties as part of your product liability claim:
- The manufacturer or designer of your car
- The manufacturer of faulty auto parts or components
- The retailer or distributor that provided the defective auto part
- The shipping company that transported the defective car or its auto parts
- Another motorist who contributed to the crash
- The mechanic who inadequately maintained or installed the defective part
- Other parties in the chain of distribution
What If The Defective Auto Part Contributed To The Crash Rather Than Caused It?
It does not matter whether the defective auto part caused or merely contributed to your car accident. You may still be able to sue the manufacturer or other liable parties because California follows the legal doctrine of pure comparative negligence, which makes it possible to allocate fault between multiple parties.
For example, let’s imagine that you got rear-ended by another vehicle while yielding the right of way to pedestrians at a traffic stop, but your airbag failed to deploy. Had the airbag not been defective, your injury would not be as bad as it is. Still, even if the airbag had not been defective, it would not prevent the rear-end accident.
Therefore, if you are represented by an experienced product liability lawyer in California, you may be able to sue both the at-fault driver who rear-ended you and the manufacturer of the defective airbag.
Contact our lawyers at Licata & Yeremenko, A Professional Law Corporation to schedule a free consultation. Call at 818-783-5757 today.