Illinois Defective Vehicles and Auto Parts Attorneys
Product Liability Lawyers in Cook County for Car Accident Victims
Most traffic accidents are caused by mistakes or negligence on the part of drivers, but many other crashes have nothing at all to do with a driver's carelessness on the road. Instead, they are the result of vehicle defects and defective auto parts. In fact, estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggest that up to 44,000 motor vehicle accidents per year are linked to vehicle or part defects.
At Kaiser Law, our skilled product liability lawyers have the knowledge, resources, and experience to handle even the most difficult defective vehicle parts cases. We have successfully secured compensation for many clients in such cases, and we know what it takes to get results. If you have been injured in an accident involving a defective auto part, our attorneys will do everything we can to get you the full compensation you deserve.
Defective Vehicle Parts Can Lead to Serious Accidents
Automotive defects are far more common than you might think, and thousands of accidents each year are caused by defective tires, brake systems, and steering components. According to NHTSA estimates, more than one-third (35 percent) of defective parts accidents are linked to issues with tires. Brake system defects account for an additional 22 percent.
When important parts such as these are defective, injury-causing accidents can easily occur:
- Defective tires may have weak spots, or the tread could separate from the rest of the tire, leading to an explosive blowout which can cause a crash.
- A malfunctioning brake system, including leaky brake lines, master cylinder issues, or mechanical defects, can cause a vehicle's brakes to lock unexpectedly or fail altogether, leaving the vehicle unable to stop.
- Steering components include the vehicle's power steering system, electrical systems, and many mechanical linkages, and defect anywhere along the line could leave the driver without control of the vehicle.
Even some safety features have been known to have serious defects that have caused injuries. In fact, the largest vehicle recall in history involved airbag inflators that could explode and send metal shards into the passenger cabin. Defective seatbelt locking mechanisms are another example of commonly reported vehicle defects that have been linked to serious injuries.
Trusted Injury Lawyers in Des Plaines and Park Ridge
The knowledgeable attorneys at Kaiser Law have over a century of combined legal experience, and we know that vehicle defect cases are often more challenging than other traffic accident cases. When you are injured in a "regular" car crash, you would likely seek compensation from the at-fault driver—typically through his or her auto insurance coverage. However, if the crash was caused by some type of vehicle defect, you will need to look elsewhere to collect damages. In vehicle defect cases, liability may lie with the manufacturer of the vehicle or part, the distributor, or the mechanic who installed the part on the vehicle.
When you contact our firm following an accident involving a defective auto part, we will conduct a thorough investigation of the entire situation, starting with the incident itself. We will identify the defective part or parts and trace the defect back until we can determine where the liability for the defect truly lies. In doing so, we will determine which party or parties should be held accountable for the injuries you sustained as a result of the defect. We will work hard to help you obtain compensation for your medical bills, missed work, pain and suffering, and more. Depending on the situation, punitive damages may be available as well, especially if the liable party knew about the defect and took steps to conceal it.
Speak With a Member of Our Team Today
Filing a claim for compensation related to a defective vehicle or auto part can be challenging, but we are here to make the process easier for you. Contact our office to get the help you need. Call 630-274-4400 for a free consultation with one of our experienced product liability lawyers today. We serve clients in Cook County, DuPage County, Franklin Park, Northlake, Des Plaines, Niles, Bensenville, Melrose Park, Elmhurst, Addison, Elk Grove Village, and all of the neighboring communities.