Los Angeles Defective Vehicle Accident Lawyer

TrusTrTrusted Defective Vehicle Accident Attorney in Los Angeles, CA

Most car accidents in Los Angeles are caused by driver error, but not all of them. In some cases, flaws in the car itself can cause a crash. If you’ve been involved in a crash caused by a flaw in your vehicle, you can work with a Los Angeles defective vehicle accident lawyer to get the compensation you need to pay medical bills and move on with your life.

Trust Easton & Easton

Here at Easton & Easton, we have a proven process in place for getting our clients the compensation they need and deserve. We’re a high-settlement firm for a reason, with one out of three of our settlements extending upwards of $100,000. However, past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.

When serious injuries disrupt the lives and careers of our clients, we protect them and their families and help them regain financial stability. We can help you, too.

Why Hire a Defective Vehicle Accident Lawyer?

Vehicle defects can occur in all kinds of ways. Some recent research shows that around 65% of the defects associated with crashes affect a car’s brakes or tires. However, any kind of mechanical or structural defect can cause a crash, and safety system defects can exacerbate catastrophic injuries in Los Angeles caused by other factors..

No matter what was wrong with your car, you should hire a defective vehicle accident lawyer to help you put together a case.

Having an attorney on your team is the most effective way to improve your odds of a successful outcome in your case. Your lawyer can focus on all the details of your defective vehicle claim, from filing the initial paperwork to gathering evidence and consulting with expert witnesses, preparing it for negotiations and, if necessary, trial. You, on the other hand, can focus on what’s most important: healing from your injuries.

Three Categories of Auto Defects

Three categories of auto defects can lead to a legal claim should an accident occur:

1. Design defects. Defects in a design are flaws in how the vehicle was constructed. Because they occur at the design stage, all of the vehicles manufactured from the same lineup should have the same set of design defects. An example might be an SUV with a high center of gravity that is prone to prone to truck accidents on Southern California freeways.
2. Manufacturing defects. Manufacturing defects occur while a vehicle is being assembled, so they can affect individual cars or larger batches of vehicles. The flaws are not a part of the design, so the rest of the vehicle lineup won’t share the defects, which could be anything from improperly installed brakes to faulty seatbelts.
3. Marketing defects. Marketing defects occur when an auto manufacturer does not provide adequate warning of a known danger associated with the vehicle. One common example is failing to warn drivers about the risks of deactivating passenger-side airbags. The airbags function as intended, but only if they’re turned on. If there’s no warning about not turning them off, that failure to warn could lead to injuries should a crash occur.

It doesn’t matter whether you purchased your car at Galpin Motors or Toyota of Downtown L.A. If it has a defect that falls into one of the three categories described above, you can hold the auto manufacturer liable for any injuries that result from that flaw.

Legal Arguments to Support Auto Defect Cases

There are three primary ways you can handle a defective vehicle claim under California’s product liability laws:

1. Strict liability. In a strict liability claim, you don’t need to prove that the manufacturer of a product, in this case a car, was negligent. All you have to show is that the product was defective and it caused your injuries.
2. Negligence. In a negligence-based claim, you must show that the manufacturer did not exercise reasonable care in the design, manufacturing, or safety testing of your car, and that led to flaws that caused your accident and subsequent injuries.
3. Breach of warranty. If a vehicle does not meet the standards of an express or implied warranty, you may be able to file a breach of warranty claim.

Speak with your Los Angeles defective vehicle accident attorney regarding which of these routes is the right one to take, given the specifics of your case.

The Importance of Preserving Evidence

If a defective vehicle caused a crash, you must preserve the car and any part that failed. Don’t have it repaired or sell it until it has been inspected by a professional sent by your legal team. Proving a defect requires complex analysis of the physical evidence and the testimony of expert witnesses who can explain how the part failed and why that caused the accident. It’s easier to put together a case if they can see your car in person.

Compensation Recoverable in a Defective Vehicle Accident Case

There are several types of compensation that may be available in your defective vehicle case. They can include:

• Medical bills, both past and future
• Lost wages or loss of future earning capacity
• Non-economic damages, such as pain, suffering, and long-term care for traumatic brain injuries.
• The cost to repair the damage to your vehicle or replace it

In rare cases, drivers may also be awarded punitive damages. These are intended to punish the companies, not to compensate the accident victims. Judges issue them in defective vehicle cases because auto manufacturers typically make decisions about whether to issue a recall based on cost analysis, so it benefits everyone to have the cost of a failed part causing an accident be more serious.

What to Do if You Suspect an Auto Defect Caused Your Crash

Getting into a car crash is always stressful. Knowing what steps to take—and avoiding critical mistakes after a car accident in Los Angeles—can protect both your health and your financial claim. Following a crash you suspect was caused by an automotive defect, you should:

• Report the accident. Call 911 to report the accident. Having access to the police report could help your lawyer build a case.
• Gather evidence at the scene. If you’re physically able to do so, you should collect contact information from drivers and witnesses and take photographs of the accident scene, including the cars involved and the road conditions surrounding the accident.
• Seek medical attention immediately. Head straight to the hospital from the accident scene. You want to be able to show that your injuries occurred during the accident in question, not some time later.
• Preserve the vehicle. Don’t have the vehicle repaired or sell it. Secure it in a safe location until it can be inspected by a professional sent by your attorney.
• Gather information. In addition to keeping the vehicle, you should gather documents related to it, such as purchase agreements, repair records, and recall notices, if applicable.
• Consult an attorney. An experienced lawyer can evaluate your case in Los Angeles, including severe cases involving a wrongful death claim, to determine whether you have an actionable case.

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California is two years, so don’t wait too long to contact a personal injury lawyer and file your claim. If you miss the statute of limitations, you may be barred from recovery.

FAQs

Q: What Is a Defect in a Car?

A: Things that are considered defects in cars are issues that affect the safety or usability. Defects can occur in a vehicle’s design, manufacturing, or materials and are broadly categorized into three areas: safety, mechanical or performance, and cosmetic. Marketing defects can also occur when dealerships or manufacturers fail to warn users about hidden operating risks.

Q: Can You File a Claim Against a Car Insurance Company Without a Lawyer?

A: You may be able to file a claim against a car insurance company without a lawyer, but you don’t want to. These insurance companies have teams of attorneys on their side. Hiring a Los Angeles defective vehicle accident attorney to take your case is the most effective way of leveling the playing field and improving your odds of receiving a fair settlement.

Q: How Long Are You Responsible for a Car After You Sell It?

A: You are responsible for a car until the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) is filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles, which must be done within five days of the sale. After filing this essential paperwork, any liability for traffic and parking violations or civil litigation becomes the responsibility of the buyer.

Q: What Are the Top Three Causes of Accidents?

A: The top three causes of accidents are distracted driving, impaired driving, and reckless driving. Distracted driving occurs when drivers use their cell phones or engage in other activities, like reading or applying makeup, while they’re behind the wheel. Intoxicated drivers are drunk or have used drugs before driving. Reckless driving includes things like speeding, excessive lane changes, and aggressive behavior behind the wheel.

Your Los Angeles Defective Vehicle Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been in a crash involving a vehicle malfunction, it’s time to hire a Los Angeles defective vehicle accident lawyer to assist you with filing your claim. The team here at Easton & Easton is ready to help.

Our highly referred family-owned firm has recovered over two billion in damages for personal injury victims, and we have what it takes to assist you with your defective vehicle accident case. However, past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.

Los Angeles, California Defective Vehicle Accident Legal Resources

• Los Angeles Police Department – Obtain a Collision Report
• Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles – Civil Court Filing Information
• California Legislative Information – Vehicle Code Section 20008 (Duty to Report Accidents)
• California Department of Consumer Affairs – Bureau of Automotive Repair

About Los Angeles, California

Home to the iconic Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles offers world-class cultural landmarks and vibrant community spaces. However, heavy arterial traffic contributes to thousands of collisions annually, with automotive defects posing severe risks according to recent NHTSA crash safety data. In response, local authorities continue expanding Vision Zero Los Angeles traffic safety initiatives. Our community remains resilient as residents and legal advocates work together toward safer roadways for everyone.