Safety Isn’t Optional: The Real Cost of Defective Vehicle Parts

Modern vehicles have advanced safety features designed to protect drivers and passengers alike. However, the results can be catastrophic when those features fail due to poor design, faulty parts, or lack of quality control. From malfunctioning brakes and faulty airbags to defective seat belts and steering systems, auto part failures cause thousands of preventable injuries and deaths each year.

At Morgan & Morgan, we’ve represented countless victims of vehicle defects who thought they were driving a safe car, until it was too late. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a malfunctioning automotive component, you may be entitled to compensation through a product liability claim.

When Vehicle Safety Systems Become Safety Hazards

Drivers rely on critical systems like brakes, airbags, and seat belts every time they get behind the wheel. When these components fail, there’s little room for error, and often no time to react.

Common types of automobile defects include:

• Brake system failures: Defective brake pads, fluid lines, or electronic systems can lead to increased stopping distance or complete brake loss.
• Airbag malfunctions: Airbags that deploy too late, too forcefully, or not at all can turn a collision into a tragedy.
• Seat belt defects: Latches that unlatch during impact, tensioners that fail, or belts that tear can all result in serious injury.
• Steering or suspension issues: Defects in electronic steering, control arms, or tie rods can cause a sudden loss of control.
• Fuel system defects: Leaks, ruptured tanks, or poor crash protection can lead to fires or explosions.
• Electrical system failures: Battery, wiring, or computer issues can affect everything from acceleration to safety warning systems.

What Causes Auto Part Defects?

Auto defects are often caused by:

• Poor design: Components that are unsafe by nature, even when manufactured correctly.
• Manufacturing flaws: Errors or inconsistencies on the assembly line, such as weak welds or faulty materials.
• Lack of quality control: A failure to properly test parts before they’re installed in vehicles.
• Delayed recalls: Automakers who delay action, despite knowing about a risk, put millions of drivers in danger.
• Aftermarket parts: Cheaper replacement parts, sometimes installed during repairs, may not meet safety standards.

Unfortunately, many vehicle owners are never alerted to safety issues or only find out after a crash.

How Defective Vehicle Parts Cause Injury

When a safety system doesn’t function properly, the injuries are often more severe than they otherwise would have been. Victims of automobile defects may suffer:

• Head trauma and brain injuries, often due to airbag failure or seat belt malfunction.
• Spinal cord injuries resulting from ejection or improper restraint.
• Burns and smoke inhalation in cases involving fuel leaks or electrical fires.
• Fractures and internal injuries from loss of braking or steering control.
• Wrongful death, particularly in high-speed or rollover crashes involving part failure.

Even if the crash was technically “your fault,” you may still have a valid claim if a defect contributed to the severity of the injury. This may be especially important in states that follow the contributory negligence rule.

Who Can Be Liable for a Vehicle Defect?

Liability may extend beyond the car manufacturer when a defective auto part causes injury. Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties could be held accountable, including:

• Vehicle manufacturers, for installing faulty components or failing to initiate timely recalls.
• Parts manufacturers, who may have designed or produced the defective brake, airbag, seat belt, or other component.
• Dealerships or retailers, especially if they sold a known defective vehicle or failed to disclose prior recall issues.
• Mechanics or service centers, if improper installation or repair work contributed to the failure.
• Third-party parts suppliers, particularly if aftermarket parts failed to meet industry safety standards.

Product liability claims often fall under one of three categories:

• Design defects: Flaws in the part’s design that make it inherently unsafe.
• Manufacturing defects: Issues that occur during the production or assembly process.
• Failure to warn: When the manufacturer or distributor fails to provide adequate warnings or instructions about potential hazards

A qualified attorney can help determine which parties may be liable based on the type of defect and how the injury occurred.

What to Do If You’ve Been Injured

If you suspect your injuries were made worse, or caused entirely, by a vehicle defect, take the following steps:

• Seek medical attention immediately to document your injuries.
• Preserve the vehicle, do not repair or dispose of it. The defective part may be critical evidence.
• Gather documentation like police reports, recall notices, and service records.
• Report the issue to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• Contact a product liability attorney as soon as possible to explore your legal options.

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

We don’t just take on cases, we take on corporations. At Morgan & Morgan, we’ve built a reputation for fighting and winning against the biggest automakers in the world. Our product liability team works with accident reconstructionists, mechanical engineers, and safety experts to uncover the truth behind every crash.

We may be able to help you recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages or reduced earning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Vehicle damage
• Wrongful death or survivor claims (if applicable)

Injured By a Vehicle Defect? We’ll Help You Take Back the Wheel

Cars are supposed to protect you, not put you in harm’s way. If a defective part caused your injury or made an accident worse, you deserve answers and justice.

Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free case evaluation. Because when your safety systems fail, we step in For The People.