Manufacturing Defects

Drivers know that operating a vehicle comes with some inherent risks. However, we expect our cars to adhere to certain safety standards and be free from defects that make them unreasonably dangerous. If a manufacturer fails to provide a safe vehicle, it should be held accountable for injuries that result. The car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon represent Miami residents and others who have been hurt because of a defective vehicle or component. We diligently assist clients in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties with claims seeking fair compensation for their injuries.

Under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, all cars must meet specific minimum performance requirements regarding certain parts that are imperative to ensuring a vehicle’s safety, including tires, brakes, airbags, seatbelts, and lights. These standards apply to both vehicles and parts manufactured in the United States as well as those imported into the country for use. Sometimes car manufacturers will put their financial bottom line ahead of consumer interests and use sub-par parts or poor assembly practices to manufacture their vehicles. These cost-cutting measures can result in dangerous defects, such as airbag malfunctions, engine problems, and other flaws that can cause significant injuries to drivers as well as other motorists, even in a minor collision.

A manufacturing defect occurs when there is a mistake in a vehicle’s or part’s assembly. These flaws are apparent only in a select number of products, such as a certain year, make, or model of a car, or they could affect vehicles or parts that were produced in a specific location. Makers are strictly liable for any defect that is a result of the manufacturing process, regardless of any precautionary measures that may have been taken. To establish liability for a manufacturing defect, an injured person needs only to show that the defect was present at the time the vehicle left the maker’s control, and that it was the cause of the harm. For instance, if a driver suffers burn injuries as a result of a defective airbag, the manufacturer would be held liable if it is shown that the airbag contained the flaw when sold to the consumer.

People injured by a defective vehicle may be entitled to damages in a product liability claim. Compensation that may be recoverable includes the value of a vehicle or repairs, medical expenses, loss of income or earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Timing is important in pursuing these claims, since the statute of limitations in Florida is four years from the date of the accident. If you do not bring a lawsuit within this time window, you probably will find that your right to compensation is barred. Product liability claims often require thorough and sometimes technical investigation and testimony. Consulting a knowledgeable attorney can be vital to asserting your rights.

Car manufacturers should be held liable for injuries caused by unsafe vehicles and components. The product liability attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon are dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals from Miami and the surrounding area who are hurt by a defective vehicle or part. Call 877.499.4878 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation regarding your case.