When you are involved in an auto accident, it is important that all possible contributing factors be examined. Some accidents may appear, at first, to be the responsibility of a negligent driver, but a closer inspection may reveal a vehicle defect as the source. Unfortunately, while defective vehicles and faulty vehicle parts may play a role in many motorcycles, truck, and car accidents, these factors are often overlooked. Unless you have an experienced products liability attorney on your side, you may be held liable for your accident and any damages that have resulted from it.
Investigating Your Accident
Following any car accident, it is important that a thorough investigation is performed to determine where the fault should lie. In the state of Minnesota, compensation is directly linked to the percentage of liability each party shares – meaning your settlement can be negatively impacted if your actions played a role in your accident. When a vehicle defect is the underlying cause of your perceived actions, it can appear that you are liable for things over which you had no control. This is just one of the many reasons it is always wise to have a dedicated legal team working to clear your name and secure maximum compensation.
At Goldenberg Lauricella, our defective vehicle attorneys understand the complexities of these cases and know exactly what to look for to establish if a faulty component part, design flaw, or manufacturing error contributed to your accident. When it is one of these things – not your own behavior – that causes an accident, you are entitled to hold the responsible party accountable and to seek compensation for any and all related damages.
For over three decades, the personal injury lawyers at our Minneapolis law firm have been helping those injured by defective products. We are here to take your case as far as necessary to help secure every penny you are due. Call us at (800) 504-0281 to schedule a free consultation and learn more.
Common Vehicle Defects
Automobiles are complex machines with several component parts – each of which may fail for various reasons. In recent years, a number of high-profile class-action lawsuits have been filed following injury caused by defective vehicles. Two of the most important are the GM ignition switch issues and the Takata airbag defects. These came into the national spotlight due to their scope, the seriousness of the injuries they have caused, and the blatant disregard for public safety both companies showed in ignoring warning signs. Tragically, these companies and these particular product defects are far from the only ones that have proven dangerous to drivers and their passengers.
Some of the most common defective vehicle parts include:
· Acceleration and brake pedals
· Engine components
· Braking systems
· Airbags and seatbelts
· Gauges and displays
· Steering columns
Some of these issues are more common in places like Minnesota where excessive moisture in the summer months and extreme cold in the winter can damage sensitive vehicle parts. However, designing and manufacturing parts to be resilient under all normal conditions is the responsibility of auto companies. Failure to do so may make the company liable for damages. The best way to find out if this is the case in your accident is through a one-on-one consultation with a products liability lawyer at our Minneapolis office.
Establishing Liability
When our attorneys investigate an accident, we consider all possible factors. In some cases, liability is straightforward. In others, the lines are blurred as vehicle defects and related issues are brought to light. When these factors are present, the scope of the investigation and the methods by which compensation is sought may need to be adjusted.
If an auto manufacturer is responsible for your injuries and those sustained by others in your accident, that company needs to be held accountable for their negligence and all economic and non-economic damages that may result. Unfortunately, without legal representation, even if a company admits fault, you may never see the full compensation you are entitled to.
With our assistance, you may be able to recover damages for:
· Property damage
· Medical expenses
· Lost wages
· Physical and emotional pain and suffering
Without the assistance of a defective vehicle lawyer, your settlement – if any is offered – will likely be based on whatever the lowest possible amount the insurance companies think they can get away with maybe. Almost certainly this offer will not provide compensation for physical pain or emotional duress. It may not even cover all of your medical expenses.
The attorneys at Goldenberg Lauricella do not represent insurance companies and are not at all interested in what these powerful corporations want. We represent victims of serious injury and are only interested in securing the total compensation that victims of negligent corporations are due.
Recalls and products liability
When a recall is issued for a defective vehicle, it may be easier to establish that the vehicle contributed to an accident. This can assist with the investigation into your accident. It cannot protect the auto manufacturer from liability.
A recall does not wipe the slate or absolve a company from liability. It can help prevent accidents and may prove lifesaving, but it does not protect the company from legal action. Regardless of the current availability of a vehicle or steps a manufacturer has made to solve potential defects when a faulty design or poor manufacturing practices cause harm, victims are entitled to seek justice through swift legal action. We are here to help you take that action and to secure the full compensation you are due.
Contact Us
If you live in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or surrounding areas of Minnesota and have been injured in a car accident, the personal injury lawyers at Goldenberg Lauricella can help. Give us a call at (800) 504-0281 to schedule a free consultation right away.
Goldenberg Lauricella is located in Minneapolis, but our products liability attorneys handle cases throughout the nation. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed by a defective vehicle, medical device, medication, or any other product, call us for a free consultation and to learn how we can help.