If a defective vehicle or car part caused or worsened your injuries in a Baltimore County collision, there are a number of parties that may face liability, including the manufacturer, parts manufacturer, dealership, or even mechanics. Liability depends on whether the defect was caused by inherently unsafe designs, manufacturing errors, or failure to warn consumers of dangers. If you have been injured, understanding who can face liability for the damages you’ve endured is critical. Keep reading to learn more about these accidents and why connecting with Baltimore County product liability attorneys is critical to fighting for the best possible outcome.
How Do Defective Car Parts Cause or Worsen Collisions?
Defective vehicle parts can either cause or worsen the severity of an injury during an otherwise survivable accident. In accordance with product liability principles, a defect can involve an unsafe design, manufacturing mistakes, or failure to warn consumers about dangers.
Types of Vehicle Defects Under Product Liability Law
- Design Defects: The vehicle or part is inherently unsafe due to improper design. All vehicles or parts produced using defective designs are dangerous.
- Manufacturing Defects: The product is inherently safe, but an error in the production process will render the products made during that period unsafe.
- Failure to Warn: Important safety information is missing from the final product, or recall notices are not distributed when issues arise.
Common Defective Car Parts Often Linked to Serious Accidents
- Power steering failure
- Brake line failures
- Accelerator defects
- Leaking fuel tanks
- Tire defects
- Airbags that deploy without a collision occurring
- Structural defects leading to a roof collapse
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Defective Vehicle in Maryland?
If you are injured in a collision because the vehicle you were driving had defective car parts or you were struck by a vehicle due to defects, it can feel overwhelming to determine who can face liability in these matters. There are different factors that can impact who will assume liability for these matters, such as where the defect originated and whether negligence or strict liability applies. In some instances, multiple parties may face liability, depending on the circumstances of the collision.
Potentially Liable Parties
- Vehicle manufacturer
- Parts manufacturer (airbags, brakes, steering columns)
- Car dealerships that knowingly sell defective vehicles or fail to inspect their inventory
- Distributors
- Mechanics or repair facilities, if improper installation impacted the collision or severity of injuries
When a Negligent Driver May Also Share Liability
In general, a third-party and negligent driver may share liability if defects and human negligence contributed to the collision. This can occur when:
- A driver loses control of the vehicle due to defective brakes, but they were also speeding at the time
- A distracted driver ran a red light, causing the initial collision, but defective airbags made the injuries more severe
What Is “Crashworthiness,” and Why Does It Matter in Baltimore County?
The Maryland courts understand that vehicle manufacturers design vehicles that must provide reasonable protection for passengers in the event of a foreseeable collision. This is referred to as the “crashworthiness doctrine.” As such, if another driver causes your collision, the manufacturer can still face liability if a defective condition or component in your vehicle made your injuries worse than they would have been if the component were not defective.
In Baltimore County, defective vehicle claims are filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, and many cases require local accident reconstruction experts and vehicle engineers. As such, it is important to preserve the vehicle after the collision, as this can provide important evidence regarding the defective condition. Those injured will have three years to file a claim in accordance with Maryland’s personal injury statute of limitations.
Examples of Crashworthiness Claims
- The roof collapses during a rollover accident
- Seatbelts that do not properly latch
- Airbags that do not deploy during collisions
- Fuel tanks that explode following impact
What Compensation Can Victims Recover in Maryland Defective Car Cases?
It’s important to understand that, in accordance with Maryland personal injury and product liability law, victims injured as a result of a defective product are eligible to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
Common Recoverable Economic Damages
- Emergency medical care
- Hospitalization
- Future medical care
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
Frequently Awarded Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Permanent disability
How Do Vehicle Recalls Impact Liability?
In the event a vehicle manufacturer knew about a defective part or design but failed to properly warn consumers or issue a prompt recall notice, it may strengthen your claim. Essentially, the manufacturer must issue the notice to the NHTSA as soon as they have gathered enough information to determine that a reasonable risk exists. In most instances, this is within five days for motor vehicles in accordance with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regulations. Consumers must then be directly contacted by the manufacturer within 60 days of informing the NHTSA of the defect.
How Recalls Impact a Case
- Proves the defect was known
- Creates evidence of prior consumer complaints and defect reports
- Establishes a notice of danger
- Illustrates potential corporate negligence
Contact an Experienced Baltimore County Product Liability Lawyer
As you can see, liability can be incredibly complex. That’s why it’s imperative to connect with an experienced attorney who can guide you through these matters. At the Law Offices of Markey & Orsi, we understand how intimidating it can be to file a claim against a car manufacturer, which is why we’re ready to represent you in every step of the process. We are dedicated to fighting on behalf of our injured clients. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you.