Losing control over your vehicle, or facing another driver who has, is a scary experience that can result in extensive injuries and other damage. The effects following an accident caused by a defective car part can be overwhelming, with new debts and expenses quickly adding up for the victim.
Working with an experienced attorney like Bert McDowell can help you feel more confident in your ability to recover damages after filing a Bridgeport defective part auto accident claim. Managing both a physical and financial recovery can be exhausting, and it can cause you to neglect important aspects of both.
At Bert McDowell Injury Law, our focus is putting the client first. We pride ourselves on three main principles: client communication, client attention, and client success. To be successful in these pillars with each Bridgeport community member that we serve, our firm commits to a thorough approach.
Reach out to us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about how we can help you. Schedule your free case review now when you call (203) 590-9169 or contact us online today.
The Importance of Working With a Bridgeport Defective Car Parts Attorney
We know that roadways come with inherent dangers, but when maintained correctly, a vehicle itself should be trustworthy and functional. A defectively designed or installed car part can be extremely dangerous for the driver as well as others on the road.
While most accidents are caused by driver error, a defective car part like faulty brakes causes roughly 2% of auto accidents across the nation. Vehicle and parts manufacturers are often reluctant to admit their role in causing an accident or contributing to the severity of injuries, yet their mistakes and design flaws can and do cause major medical issues, as evidenced by the spate of injuries and deaths inflicted by recalled Takata airbags just a few years ago.
When working through an auto accident claim, an attorney can be a valuable asset that is there to help you stand up for your own interests — and against the financial interests of big manufacturers. We can help you determine the most appropriate legal cause of action under which to pursue your case, and we work tirelessly to gather evidence and documentation of legal precedent in order to support your claim.
Big companies are keen to intimidate and misinform you as to the true extent of your legal rights, so hiring your own attorney is critical for leveling the playing field.
When working with an attorney, they can provide you with the following benefits and services:
Oversee any and all necessary communication with outside parties: Your Bridgeport personal injury lawyer can speak on your behalf with representatives of the defective part manufacturer and relay the important information back to you. Efficient communication plays a key role in settling a claim, and having an attorney on your team can keep the process moving smoothly.
Help a claimant understand their options for a defective products claim: A claim against a vehicle part manufacturer can be filed on the basis of negligence, strict liability, or breach of warranty. You may also have unique options for pursuing damages, depending on the nature of your accident and your injuries. Your attorney will vigorously research your case, comparing it to others like it, and help you determine the optimal strategy for seeking full damages.
Full valuation of damages: Estimating the full amount of damages you have suffered can be difficult, and many injury victims tend to undervalue their own injuries. Your attorney will help you determine an appropriate amount of compensation to ask for in order to repay your medical bills, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, and vehicle repairs, and also cover the intangible pain and suffering you have experienced.
Organize and examine the claimant’s collected documents: In the early days following your claim, you’ll collect a mountain of paperwork with extensive details on the events of your accident. From doctor’s assessments to police reports, an attorney can review and organize all of the paperwork relating to your case.
Investigate the evidence of the claim, including a review of claims of negligence: Proving liability in a defective car parts accident may be a challenging task because it isn’t as simple as identifying a driver’s negligent actions but also the actions of the manufacturer or maintenance company. To take on a corporate insurance company, a claimant can hire their own representation to be their ally.
Negotiate a final settlement on behalf of the accident victim: Insurance adjusters do hundreds of settlement negotiations in a year, while a driver will likely only have a handful of experiences with car insurance adjusters in their life. To level the playing field in your interest, an attorney can bring their knowledge and past experience to the table.
Represent your interests in court: Claims against manufacturers can often end up in court, requiring a finding by a jury in order for the victim to secure damages. Your attorney can help you determine when a lawsuit is appropriate and then prepare for a possible trial in front of a jury of your peers.
What Are Some Common Defects That Can Cause an Auto Collision?
When a vehicle is impacted by a defective part, it can feel like it came out of nowhere. While it is crucial that all car owners have their vehicles inspected regularly and stay up-to-date on maintenance needs, an accident can still happen even with the strictest of precautions.
There are a multitude of ways in which a vehicle can fail its driver, but some of the most common in recent years include:
Airbags that deploy unexpectedly or fail to deploy when necessary
Faulty ABS, braking assist, steering assist, or “autopilot” operation
Understanding the Types of Liability in an Auto Part Defect Case in Bridgeport
Determining Fault is more specific than simply identifying who is responsible for an accident — the victim must also determine how they are responsible.
The first step in fighting for a personal injury settlement is determining these crucial details about the negligent party. Product liability cases, including defective car part accident cases, include multiple types of liability from which the claimant can pursue their case.
The three types of liability in a defective auto parts case include:
Strict Liability: In a strict liability claim, the claimant can go after the manufacturer or seller of the vehicle without having to prove that they were negligent. Instead, it must be proven that the vehicle had an unreasonably dangerous defect, that the client was operating the vehicle appropriately at the time of the accident, and that the car is in a similar condition to the time it was bought or rented.
Negligence: A case of negligence against a product manufacturer must prove that a deviation from some regulatory standard or duty of care directly led to the defect or that the manufacturer had knowledge of the potential danger but failed to properly warn or prevent injury.
Breach of Warranty: Most vehicle parts carry a warranty that provides indemnification against certain types of failure or, sometimes, damages inflicted on the owner’s vehicle or their person. A warranty may be express or implied, sometimes causing dutiful legal research in order to identify the appropriate legal justification for such a claim.
Possible Injuries Related to a Defective Car Part Accident
Some of the most commonly reported serious after a defective car part accident include:
Head injuries such as concussions and other TBIs
Neck and back injuries, including paralysis
Crushing injuries
Internal injuries
Breaks and fractures
Burns and disfigurement
Injury Victims Can Call a Locally Trusted Bridgeport Defective Car Parts Law Firm Today
When we get on the roads every day, we expect to be able to rely on our vehicles for safe transport. Yet, all too often, defective brakes, tires, airbags, seat belts, and other vehicle components fail in ways that cause serious accidents or inflict severe injuries.
If you have been affected by the hazards of a defective car part, speaking with an attorney may help assist you through the claims process. A negligent party’s insurer, the financially liable entity, may not be trustworthy when it comes time to negotiate compensation, but a Bridgeport defective car parts law firm has your back.
Bert McDowell Injury Law will advocate for your best interests as a claimant throughout the process of recovering a personal injury settlement. We will fight for the full value of your claim, filing a lawsuit and taking your case to court if that’s what it takes.
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a defective car part, the responsibilities associated with filing a claim can weigh heavily on your mind. You can meet with an attorney to discuss the specific details of your case and ask any questions that may have been creating stress and nerves.
This meeting is a great way for a claimant to prepare for litigation and is also a chance for your attorney to map out an optimal legal course of action for representing your claim. To schedule your no-obligation initial consultation, call (203) 590-9169 or contact us online today.
(203) 690-1030
(203) 690-1030
Losing control over your vehicle, or facing another driver who has, is a scary experience that can result in extensive injuries and other damage. The effects following an accident caused by a defective car part can be overwhelming, with new debts and expenses quickly adding up for the victim.