In some cases, a car accident is not the fault of any driver, but the result of defective products used within the car. The faulty car parts may be tires, ignitions, seat belts, or airbags. In some cases, it may be necessary to bring in an expert to testify as to the defective nature of the part and to testify that the component, rather than a driver’s negligence, was the actual and legal cause of an accident. At Anidjar & Levine, our West Palm Beach defective product attorneys can guide West Palm Beach residents through a products liability claim.
How A Manufacturer’s Negligence Can Cause an Accident in Florida
Some examples of accidents or failures that can occur due to negligence include:
Tire Failures
Tire failures may be the result of design or manufacturing defects. For example, some tires separate because contaminants are introduced during manufacturing, resulting in detread.
Seat Belt and Airbag Failures
Other commonly defective parts are seat belts or airbags, which are designed to lessen the impact on the person in the seat with which the belt or bag is associated. Some seat belts and airbags fail due to design defects.
Rollovers
Some lawsuits are based on a car’s crashworthiness. They look at how poorly a particular vehicle structurally protected the people inside the car during the crash. For example, they may look at structural integrity or the safety restraint systems. Rollovers in a light SUV can result in catastrophic injuries. The roof is the critical part of the car in preventing a traumatic head injury, although injuries are worsened for passengers not wearing seat belts in a car with an improper roof. Your car’s manufacturer should provide appropriate roll bars, support pillars, and side rails. Its failure to do so can result in brain injury or paralysis.
Our Lawyers Can Help You Hold an Auto Manufacturer Liable for Your Injuries
If there is a manufacturing defect in a part of the car that causes an accident, the manufacturer can potentially be held liable under a theory of strict liability. However, the defect must have been present when the car left the factory. Alternatively, in some cases a manufacturer can be held liable for a design flaw in a car part. A design flaw exists when all parts made from a specific blueprint have the same problem.
If tires are not serviced properly, they can fail or blow out, resulting in a roll over or collision. When a repairman specifically looks at your tires and does not recommend that you replace them, that repair person may have been negligent and could possibly be held responsible if you are injured due to tire problems. Generally, to sue a repairman for negligence, you would need to prove that person’s duty of care, a breach of duty, causation, and actual damages. Call a West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer today to schedule your free consultation.
Protect Your Rights after a Car Crash by Enlisting a West Palm Beach Attorney
West Palm Beach is located about 68 miles from downtown Miami in South Florida. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of about 100,000 people. Many tourists are drawn to the city and surrounding areas in Palm Beach County for the Palm Beach International Film Festival, the Sun Fest, and the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction. If you have been struck by a negligent driver in West Palm Beach, our experienced injury lawyers may be able to represent you in a lawsuit for damages. Call Anidjar & Levine at 800-747-3733 or contact us via our online form to set up a free consultation. We represent clients in many cities across Palm Beach County, including Wellington, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, and Boca Raton, as well as in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere in South Florida.
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