Car Manufacturer Accident Liability
While we tend to think of the actions of the drivers involved as being the only possible causes of a car accident, the reality is that these incidents can be caused by a wide range of factors. This may include any defects or design flaws in one of the vehicles that increased the likelihood of a crash. Although car manufacturer liability is rare in car and truck accident cases, it is possible that a car maker could be held responsiblle for your accident.
Proving that a car manufacturer is liable, however, can be a complicated journey. That’s why having an experienced car accident attorney on your side can make a huge difference. Read on to learn more about how car makers may be held liable for auto accidents.
Proving Liability and Negligence
Following a car crash, liability is proven based on whether or not a party had a specific responsibility that they failed to meet that resulted the crash. If you can prove that another party had a duty of care that they neglected to uphold, then that party may be responsible for covering up to 100% of your car accident expenses.
Liability and negligence follow a basic four-step formula:
Existence of Duty — As a legal term, “duty” means an obligation. Just like a driver has a duty to follow the rules of the road, car manufacturers have a duty to not release vehicles into circulation that violate certain safety standards.
Breach of Duty — A breach of duty results when a party fails to comply with its obligation. This breach of duty can be as simple as a driver failing to come to a complete stop at a red light, or can be more complicated, such as a doctor performing medical malpractice. In the case of car manufacturers, a breach of duty may be producing a vehicle with a crucial design flaw.
Proving Causation — This step involves being able to connect the dots between a person’s or entity’s negligence and the resulting aftermath: for example, proving that a brake’s design led to a car crash. Although proving causation can be tricky, an Edinburg personal injury attorney can help.
Proving Damages — Lastly, you’ll have to prove that your damages were the result of the incident. These damages can include economic damages, such as lost wages or medical bills, or they can be non-economic damages, like emotional distress or pain and suffering.
How Can Car Manufacturers Be Held Liable?
There are a few ways that car manufacturers can be held liable, but ultimately, you and your auto accident attorney will have to prove that the manufacturer’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident. In order to do so, you will need to identify the specific flaw that caused the crash, and you may also have to prove that the manufacturers knew or should have know about that flaw.
For example, if brake pads were improperly manufactured and this flaw caused you to crash into another vehicle, then the manufacturer may potentially be held liable if you can prove that their product failed and caused your crash.
The Car Accident Attorneys at the Law Office of Bobby Garcia Can Help!
Depending on the situation, a car manufacturer may be held liable after a crash if it can be proven that it neglected to fulfill its duty to produce and release vehicles without faulty designs or mechanisms.
Proving a manufacturer was at fault can be a difficult process, but an experienced Edinburg auto accident attorney can help you make a strong case for relief. At the Law Office of Bobby Garcia, our team of experienced car accident attorneys would be proud to fight for the justice and compensation that you deserve!