Crashes Involving Vehicle Defects
Car crashes injure and kill thousands of people each year. While a great deal of those accidents are caused by a driver’s reckless or negligent actions, there are several other factors that can contribute to a collision. One notable cause of automobile accidents is vehicle defects.
A vehicle defect can make a car unsafe to operate. When these types of issues result in an accident, it is important that liable parties are held accountable for accident damages. Car accident lawyers at Foley Law Firm can help their Scranton, PA clients collect compensation for the losses stemming from a crash involving vehicle defects.
Most Common Vehicle Defects
Each year the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, or DOT, releases a report detailing the car accident data for that 12 month period. Most recently, the 2018 Pennsylvania Crash Facts and Statistics has been made available to the public. This report analyzes the state’s crash data to determine some of the most common causes of car accidents.
Among the car accident factors discussed in the 2018 crash report is vehicle defects. The DOT looked at all of the car accidents caused by vehicle defects to establish which failures were responsible for the most collisions. Based on Pennsylvania’s reported car crashes, the vehicle defects that were responsible for the most accidents in 2018 were tire/wheel-related problems, brake-related issues, and total steering system failure.
Vehicle Defects by the Numbers
Our Stroudsburg clients can get a better understanding of which vehicle defects are most dangerous by looking at the accident numbers reported in Pennsylvania for 2018. Of those car crashes where a vehicle defect was noted as the primary contributing factor for the crash, these are the number of accidents caused by each defect:
- Tire/wheel-related defects – 906 crashes
- Brake-related defects – 744 crashes
- Total steering system failure – 330 crashes
- Power train failure – 225 crashes
- Suspension defects – 85 crashes
- Unsecure/shifted trailer load – 53 crashes
- Body/door/hood, etc. defects – 33 crashes
- Vehicle lighting-related defects – 24 crashes
- Other known defects – 67 crashes
Liability for Crashes Related to Vehicle Defects
When a vehicle defect causes an accident, it is important to determine who is liable for the crash. There are a number of parties who could be responsible for an automobile defect, including the:
- Automobile manufacturer
- Parts manufacturer
- Car dealership
- Automobile supply shop
- Distributor or shipper
When working on a case for our Wilkes-Barre clients, the car accident lawyers at Foley Law Firm will launch a thorough investigation, working with experts in the field to ascertain what caused the accident and who should be held liable for the collision. Based on the evidence that is found, we can go after responsible parties to collect compensation for the full extent of our client’s losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have been injured in an accident involving a vehicle defect, you have the right to seek financial compensation for damages. To discuss your case in further detail, call (570) 209-5639 and schedule a consultation with one of the car accident lawyers at Foley Law Firm.