New Jersey Car/Mechanical Defect Attorneys

One of the most frightening types of car accidents tends to happen when you least expect it. You could be doing everything right, the drivers around you could be doing everything right, and yet you can still be involved in a serious collision. How? A defective car part or mechanical defect with the car itself causes your accident.

While technology has brought us a long way in terms of safety and security, today’s cars also contain hundreds of moving parts and sophisticated computer systems. These systems are meant to work harmoniously to keep drivers and their passengers safe on New Jersey roads. When just one of these parts is defective, it can trigger a cascade of malfunctions or mechanical issues, leading to a serious, even fatal, accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash and you suspect that a mechanical defect may be to blame, then it is time to contact the experienced New Jersey car accident attorneys at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for help. Defective car part accidents are not like other car accident claims. If you want to recover the compensation you deserve, you need an experienced attorney working on your behalf.

Contact the skilled legal team at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers to learn more about your legal options and how you can get the compensation you are entitled to following an accident caused by a defective product. Call (973) 364-8300 today to set up your free case evaluation.

Why Do You Need an Attorney for a Car Defect Accident?

Defective car part cases are not like your average car accident claim because, typically, the major factor that contributed to the accident wasn’t a negligent driver. It was a negligent car company or manufacturer. Automakers and auto part manufacturers must ensure their products are safe to put on New Jersey roadways. When a company or manufacturer fails to uphold that duty and a driver is injured or killed, that company may be held accountable.

However, holding a large automaker or car part manufacturer accountable for defective products can be complicated and challenging. That’s why you must turn to an attorney who knows how to handle a case of this magnitude.

At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we have the experience and resources to rise to this type of challenge. We don’t shrink away from holding large companies responsible when the evidence clarifies that they were wrong. If you have reason to believe that a defective car part or a mechanical defect was to blame for your accident, contact our legal team to learn more about all your legal options.

The skilled legal team at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers has the skillset and the persistence it takes to investigate the circumstances of your crash fully. If we find that a part or mechanical defect is to blame, we are prepared to help you pursue action against the responsible parties. From negotiating a settlement to going to court, we are ready to do what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve. 

What Is a Car Defect Accident?

Sometimes products don’t fully work as intended, and sometimes everyday wear and tear can break down a functional part to the point where it fails, so what exactly is considered a part or mechanical defect? How do you differentiate a defect from normal wear and tear? A mechanical defect is any defect or malfunction of a motor vehicle system or part that impacts a motor vehicle’s safety or normal use. This can include a failure or defect in the motor, transmission, hydraulic system, or any other aspect of a functional vehicle.

A recall is the first thing that typically comes to mind when you think about a car or mechanical defect. A recall is when the car manufacturer or the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration finds that a vehicle or specific vehicle part or piece of equipment creates an unreasonable safety risk or it fails to meet minimum safety guidelines. Unfortunately, the recall process generally begins after crashes have occurred and people have filed complaints about the vehicle. That can mean you are already at risk of being involved in an accident well before news reaches your ears that your vehicle contains a defective part.

There are two types of defects

There are two distinctly different types of defects regarding cars and car parts. The first is a design defect. A faulty design defect is when there is a flaw in the original design of the part or vehicle, which makes it unreasonably dangerous. These defects can include a structurally unsound or unstable design, making a vehicle more prone to rolling, or a wheel design that makes it more likely to get stuck, spinning a vehicle out of control.

The second type of defect is a manufacturing defect. This type of defect occurs when a mistake is made during the manufacturing process. This error in the manufacturing process could make a part weaker than originally intended. It could also mean the part is an irregular or ill-fitting shape. In a manufacturing defect, there is nothing wrong with the design of the part, it is the execution of creating the part that is a failure.

Common Types of Automotive Defects

Whether through a design or manufacturing flaw, there are numerous ways that a car or mechanical defect can cause an accident. These accidents can sometimes be solely attributed to the failure of the part, or they can be a combination of an unsafe condition and a defective part coming together to create the perfect storm for an accident. In either situation, the mechanical defect caused the accident itself or caused it to be more severe than it would have otherwise been.

Some of the most common types of automotive defects include:

• Airbags that fail to deploy in a crash
• Airbags that deploy when there is no crash or when they shouldn’t
• Airbags deploying too fast or with too much force
• Seatbelts that don’t properly latch or stay latched
• Seats and seatbacks that fall or break
• Electrical system failures that lead to fires
• Unintended acceleration
• Brake failures
• Power steering failure
• Wheels that crack or break
• Tires or tire components that break, crack, or fall apart, or explode
• Inadequate rollover protection, roofs that collapse

According to numbers from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, most accidents happen because of driver error. However, data indicated that defective parts play a role in at least 2 percent of vehicle collisions. Problems with the tires or wheels were to blame for 35 percent of those accidents, followed closely by brakes or braking system issues.

Injuries Associated with Car Defect Crashes

Several different injuries may be related to a car defect crash. In cases with defective airbags, head, face, and dental injuries are common. In accidents where the brakes failed and a car wasn’t properly able to slow down in time to avoid a collision, serious head, neck, and spinal injuries may be more common. The type of injury depends on the type of defect at play and the nature of the crash itself.

In general, these are some of the more common injuries involved in car defect accidents:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Concussion
• Whiplash
• Facial injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Fractured ribs and bruised lungs
• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Knee injuries
• Wrongful death

Who Is Liable for a Defective Car or Mechanical Defect?

That can be difficult to answer because one or more parties may be involved in a defective part claim. You may be able to seek compensation for your accident from the following:

• Auto insurance company
• Car manufacturer
• Parts manufacturer
• Car dealership
• Used car dealer
• Middleman or other entity involved in the chain of distribution

Any of these parties or even multiple parties may be liable for a defective car or mechanical part. No matter which party you seek compensation from, either an insurance company or the car manufacturer themselves, you need a strong and experienced attorney.

Defective car part cases can get very expensive for manufacturers, and they will attempt to place the blame for the accident squarely on your shoulders. A skilled attorney will have the power and the resources to fully investigate your accident and find the cause of the collision, including identifying evidence that a defective part was to blame.

Contact a New Jersey Car Defect Attorney Today

At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we don’t think big business should be able to get away with putting your health and safety at risk or the health and safety of other drivers on New Jersey roadways. Manufacturers must be held accountable for putting lives at risk by installing defective parts.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident and you suspect a defective part was to blame, contact the seasoned team at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for help with your claim. Let us investigate and negotiate to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact our office at (973) 364-8300 to schedule your free case evaluation.