Vehicle Recall Liability Lawyers Serving Missouri & Illinois
While drivers can make errors or act recklessly and cause others to suffer from serious injuries, in some cases vehicle equipment defects can result in severe traffic accidents. When this happens, the manufacturer of the defective equipment and/or any mechanic who may have worked on such equipment could be held liable for victims’ injuries, medical bills, property damage, lost wages and mental anguish. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident caused by a defective vehicle, give the well-practiced attorneys of Brown & Brown, LLP a call today at 314-333-3333 for our St. Louis office, or 618-888-8888 if you are in Illinois.
What Are Some Common Causes For Vehicle Defect Injuries?
Some of the most common types of vehicle equipment malfunctions that cause car accident injuries include:
- Airbag failures
- Braking system failures
- Seatbelt defects
- Poorly designed floor mats (that can lodge under accelerator or brake pedals)
- Faulty vehicle wiring
- Tire defects (which can increase the likelihood of tire blowouts and/or detreading)
Injuries Caused by Defective Vehicle Equipment
Some of the most common types of injuries that can be caused by traffic accidents resulting from defective vehicle equipment include (but are not limited to):
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Cuts, bruising and burns
- Back, neck and/or spinal cord injuries
- Paraplegia or quadriplegia
- Traumatic brain injury
Who Can Be Held Responsible for My Defective Vehicle Injuries?
Liability in an accident is best determined through an investigation. Depending on the circumstances, liable parties in a defective vehicle claim include the manufacturer of the vehicle, mechanics or parts manufacturers, and anyone else whose negligence played a role in the accident.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Pursuing Compensation for My Vehicle Equipment Malfunction Injuries?
In the state of Illinois, you have two years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury claim. In Missouri, you have five years.
Even with a generous statute of limitations, such as in Missouri, it is always best to contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident to discuss your options. The longer you wait, the more complicated your claim may become.
How Much Compensation Can I Pursue for My Defective Vehicle Injuries?
There is no damage cap on personal injury claims involving defective vehicles in Illinois or Missouri. We will do everything possible to secure maximum compensation for things including medical bills, lost wages, and personal pain and suffering. The best way to learn what your case may be worth is through a one-on-one consultation with a product liability attorney at Brown & Brown.
What to Do in the Aftermath of a Vehicle Equipment Malfunction?
As soon as possible following your accident, it is important that you seek a comprehensive medical examination, even if you were cleared by emergency personnel on the scene. Some injuries, such as brain and spinal cord injuries, may take several weeks to show symptoms.
If you have sustained a serious injury, it is a good idea to contact an attorney right away. Your claim may be worth more than insurance is willing to pay without legal action.
What Type of Evidence Can Be Used in a Defective Vehicle Injury Case?
Evidence that may be used in a defective vehicle injury case includes police reports, video footage, pictures of the scene, witness testimony, and mechanical evaluations made by experts in various fields. At Brown & Brown, we take time to investigate every auto accident to make sure we collect as much evidence as possible in support of each case.
How Soon After a Defective Vehicle Injury Should You Contact an Attorney?
It is important to get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible following a defective vehicle accident. The sooner you get in touch with a lawyer, the quicker an investigation into the accident can begin, allowing for more thorough and accurate evidence to be gathered. What’s more, the sooner you take action, the sooner you may be able to recover damages for medical costs, lost wages, and more.
What Steps Should You Take After a Defective Vehicle Accident?
If you suspect your accident was caused by a vehicle defect, taking the right steps immediately afterward is crucial for your safety and any future legal claims. First, ensure the safety of all parties and call emergency services for medical and police assistance. Document the scene with photos or videos, focusing on any visible malfunctions or damages that suggest a defect. Preserve the vehicle in its post-accident state—do not repair or alter it until it has been inspected by an expert. Collect contact information from witnesses and note any statements about how the accident occurred.
Why Expert Witnesses Are Important in Defective Vehicle Cases
In defective vehicle cases, expert witnesses such as automotive engineers and safety analysts play a pivotal role. These professionals can provide authoritative insights into how and why a vehicle's failure contributed to the accident. Their evaluations help to establish the presence of a defect, its role in causing the accident, and the foreseeable risks associated with such defects. Their testimony not only lends credibility to your claims but can be a determining factor in the outcome of your case.
How Can I Prove a Vehicle Defect Caused My Accident?
Proving a vehicle defect directly caused an accident requires thorough documentation and expert analysis. Start by gathering all vehicle maintenance records, recall notices from the manufacturer, and any previous complaints or reports of similar issues with the same vehicle model. An expert in vehicle engineering will need to inspect the vehicle to determine if a defect exists and how it could have led to the accident. Photographs from the accident scene showing the defect can also serve as crucial evidence. Your legal team will use this compiled evidence to build a strong case demonstrating that the defect was the primary cause of the accident.
Can I Still File a Claim If a Defect Was Partially My Fault?
Even if you were partially at fault in an accident involving a vehicle defect, you might still have the right to compensation. Many jurisdictions operate under comparative negligence laws, where you can recover damages minus your percentage of fault in the accident. For example, if you are found to be 30% at fault and the damage amounts to $100,000, you can still recover $70,000. (In Illinois, you must be deemed less than 50% at fault to collect damages.) It is vital to disclose all details to your attorney, who can help assess fault and negotiate the fairest settlement.
Does a Vehicle Recall Affect a Defective Vehicle Case?
A recall can serve as strong evidence that a vehicle had a recognized safety issue. If a particular model was recalled for the same defect alleged to have caused an accident, this can substantiate claims that the defect was known and should have been addressed by the manufacturer.
Recalls might also affect negligence claims. If the manufacturer knew about a defect and issued a recall, failure to adequately warn consumers or to provide a timely and effective remedy can be seen as negligence. However, the outcome of a defective vehicle case can also depend on whether the vehicle owner was aware of the recall and had a reasonable opportunity to get the defect remedied before the accident occurred. If a consumer ignored a recall notice, this might complicate their legal claim.
Schedule Your Defective Vehicle Injury Consultation With Brown & Brown, LLP!
The law firm of Brown & Brown, LLP has decades of experience representing plaintiffs in product liability cases. If you suffered injury due to a faulty or defective vehicle, please schedule a free consultation with our attorneys to start building your case.
Call our office in St. Louis, Missouri, by dialing the 3s: 314-333-3333 or 573-333-3333. If you live in Southern Illinois, call us at the 8s: 618-888-8888. You can also fill out the appointment request form on this page or our contact page to schedule your personalized appointment with one of our skilled attorneys.
