As the technology that powers our cars has become more advanced, the number and complexity of the parts in any given car has increased dramatically. In turn, these additions make cars more prone to defects and make the potential consequences of defects more severe.
If you have suffered injuries in a car accident resulting from an automotive defect in St. Louis, Sumner Law Group, LLC, wants to help you. Our defective vehicle injury attorneys in St. Louis have over 50 years of combined experience and a well-documented record of achieving successful results for our clients. We’ve seen how auto manufacturers and their insurance companies have denied people fair compensation for their injuries, and we know how to counter their aggressive tactics. You won’t owe us any fees unless and until you recover compensation for your injuries.
To get the help you need when you’ve been injured by a defective vehicle, call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
How Our St. Louis Auto Defect Lawyers Can Help You
Our mechanical defect lawyers are ready to thoroughly investigate the accident to gather crucial physical evidence, as well as information about recalls and other details. In many auto defect cases, we will consult automotive experts and engineers to establish the defect and its role in your injury. Our car defect lawyers can then build a compelling case by documenting your medical treatments and other losses from the collision.
After building a solid claim, we can negotiate aggressively with manufacturers and insurance companies to assertively seek the full compensation you deserve. If necessary, our defective car parts lawyers can represent you in court to fight for your rights. With us on your side, you have a proactive partner seeking justice for the harm you’ve suffered.
Common Causes of Vehicle Defect Injuries in St. Louis
Vehicle defects can turn a routine drive into a dangerous ordeal that can result in serious accidents and injuries. Some common vehicle defects that lead to accidents and injuries in St. Louis include:
- Airbag failures – When airbags fail to deploy or deploy improperly, the consequences can be severe.
- Braking system failures – Defects in the braking system, such as loss of brake fluid, worn brake pads, or failed brake components, can prevent a vehicle from stopping in time, leading to collisions.
- Seatbelt defects – Seatbelt defects like faulty latching mechanisms or inadequate strap integrity can fail to secure passengers safely, increasing the risk of injury.
- Poorly designed floor mats – Floor mats that do not fit properly or are poorly secured can interfere with the operation of the accelerator or brake pedal.
- Faulty vehicle wiring – Electrical issues due to faulty wiring can lead to unexpected stalling, loss of lighting, or even fires, all of which endanger vehicle occupants and other road users.
- Tire defects – Tires with defects such as improper tread or sidewall weaknesses can fail, leading to blowouts. A sudden tire failure can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in crashes.
Types of Injuries Caused by Defective Vehicle Equipment
Our car mechanical defect lawyers have helped people who have suffered many types of injuries stemming from these accidents, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Injuries to internal organs
- Severe burns
- Severe lacerations
- Severed, crushed, or amputated limbs
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
How Product Liability Law Applies in a Vehicle Defect Lawsuit
When a defective vehicle causes an accident, the injured parties can pursue compensation through a claim against that at-fault party or their insurer. Types of product liability claims include:
- Design defects – These defects are inherent issues in the product’s design that make it unsafe. For instance, a top-heavy structure that makes a car prone to rolling over could be a design defect.
- Manufacturing defects – These defects occur during the production process. Even if the design is safe, errors in manufacturing, like using substandard materials or incorrect assembly, can make the product dangerous.
- Failure to warn – This type of claim arises when motor vehicles are dangerous in some way that’s not obvious to the user, and the manufacturer fails to provide proper warnings or instructions. For example, if a car has a specific handling characteristic that requires caution but lacks adequate warnings, it could lead to a failure to warn claim.
Under Missouri law, the designer, manufacturer, marketer, or seller is strictly liable for these types of defects. That means no showing that the at-fault party failed in any duty of care is required to obtain compensation. Injured parties in product liability cases must prove that:
- The at-fault party provided or sold the product in their usual course of business.
- The injured party didn’t alter the product in any way that wasn’t approved by the manufacturer, which means the defect already existed in the product.
- The product was being used as intended when the injury occurred.
- The defect directly caused the victim’s injuries.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for My Defective Vehicle Injuries?
In most auto defect cases, the primary liable parties are the companies that made the car or other parts manufacturers. While there are cases where other parties may have contributed to the crash, when a defective vehicle caused the accident, manufacturers are typically the focus of a vehicle defect lawsuit. Our faulty car injury lawyers can identify the liable parties and help you hold them accountable.
Potential Compensation for Automotive Defect Injuries
Compensation in motor vehicle defect cases depends on many factors, the primary ones being your injuries, medical bills, and lost income. Our team can help you pursue compensation for all your losses related to the collision, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Damaged personal property
Contact Our Attorneys for Car Mechanical Defects in St. Louis
It’s crucial to hold automakers and parts manufacturers accountable when their defective devices cause accidents. Sumner Law Group, LLC, wants to hear about your case and aid you in pursuing fair compensation.
Call us today or reach out online for a free case evaluation with a St. Louis motor vehicle defects lawyer.
