Can I Sue If a Car Defect Caused an Auto Accident?
There are thousands of car accidents each year in Ontario, many caused by a negligent driver. There are times, however, when a defect causes an otherwise attentive driver to lose control and crash.
Can I Sue A Car Part Manufacturer If I Was Injured In An Accident?
Yes, Canadian law does give accident victims the right to seek compensation from the party whose negligence caused them harm. When a car accident is caused by a defect, the negligent party is frequently the designer and/or manufacturer of the defective part.
Car parts that have been found to be defective in the past include:
- Seat Belts
- Turn Signals
- Brakes
- Airbags
- Engines
- Tires
How Can I Prove A Car Part Was Defective?
There are important steps that every car accident victim should take following a crash:
- Seek medical care: Don’t hesitate to see a doctor immediately following an accident.
- Take photos: If possible, take photos of the scene of the accident, any injuries that were sustained, and the vehicles involved.
- Collect witness contact information.
- Start collecting copies of all records relating to the accident. This could include police records and insurance paperwork.
- Contact an experienced car accident attorney.
A car accident lawyer can work to prove negligence in car accident claims. When an auto part is defective, negligence is generally broken down into four categories:
Defective Design
A part can have a significant flaw in its very design, a flaw that exists even before it is manufactured.
Manufacturing Defect
Just because a product is well designed doesn’t mean that it is manufactured correctly. Poor quality materials, incorrect chemical mixtures, and more can result in a product that fails to perform as it should.
Failure To Properly Inspect Or Test Products
Things and car designs change rapidly in the auto industry. Every manufacturer must test their new products before it ends up in the consumer’s hands.
Failure to Warn Consumers
Every manufacturer has the duty to warn consumers about any dangers associated with their products. If they fail to do so, they can be held responsible for any injuries that occur as a result.
Contact the Experienced Car Accident Attorneys At Hilborn And Konduros
If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident, contact our Cambridge ON legal team for a no-cost consultation. Call (519) 658-6341 to get started.
