Orange County Defective Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Orange County Defective Vehicle Accident Attorney

Most accidents are caused by driver error, but drivers aren’t the only ones who can be held liable for negligence when it contributes to serious crashes. Vehicle manufacturers may also hold some of the blame. When that’s the case, an Orange County defective vehicle accident lawyer can help you hold the manufacturer or the dealership that sold you your car accountable so that you can be fairly compensated for your injuries and other damages.

Trust Easton & Easton

The attorneys here at Easton & Easton have been practicing personal injury law for years. In that time, we have developed a clear understanding of what it takes to hold liable parties accountable for damages even in high-value and complex car accident cases.

Our family-owned firm has obtained over $2 billion in settlements for our clients, and one out of every three of our settlements is for $100,000 or more. Keep in mind that past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits. Contact us to find out what your case might be worth.

Why Hire a Defective Vehicle Accident Lawyer?

Vehicle defects don’t cause as many accidents as human error, but they are often associated with serious crashes resulting in severe neck and back injuries. One recent study shows that brake and tire defects account for 65% of the car problems associated with crashes. However, many different types of automotive defects can increase your risk of getting into an accident. When that happens, you should hire a defective vehicle accident lawyer to assist you with your case right away.

Hiring an attorney as soon as possible after the accident can help you avoid common mistakes and make sure that you’re in a position to receive a full settlement. Your attorney can:

• File your initial claim and other paperwork.
• Gather evidence to support your claim.
• Interview witnesses to the event.
• Arrange for expert witnesses, if necessary.
• Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
• Litigate your case in the Orange County Superior Court at the Central Justice Center or the Civil Complex Center.

Having an experienced attorney who understands defective vehicle accident laws on your side is the most effective way to improve your odds of success. It’s also a great way to reduce your stress during a difficult time. Let your attorney handle the details of the case. You should be focusing on healing from your injuries and finding ways to move on with your life.

Types of Motor Vehicle Defects

Motor vehicle defects generally fall into one of three categories:

• Design defects. These defects are an inherent part of the vehicle. They do not occur due to any errors in manufacturing. All of the vehicles in a lineup usually have the defect, which typically leads to a recall. You may still be eligible to file a claim even if your car was subject to a recall.
• Manufacturing defects. Manufacturing defects usually apply to one vehicle or all of the vehicles in a specific batch. They occur when an error happens during the production of the car, truck, or SUV.
• Marketing defects. Marketing defects occur when the manufacturer does not warn drivers about a known danger associated with their specific vehicle or does not provide adequate instructions on its safe use.

Common defects that drivers may experience with their vehicles can involve:

• The body or frame
• Brakes or braking systems
• The temperature control system
• Electrical systems
• The engine assembly
• The exhaust system
• The fuel system
• Lubrication
• Steering or suspension
• The transmission or drivetrain
• Safety system defects
• Other parts or accessories

No matter what type of defect your car has, if it contributed to causing an accident or worsening your injuries in an accident that occurred for other reasons, you may be able to hold the manufacturer liable. When defects lead to fatal collisions, surviving family members may also work with our reliable wrongful death lawyers to seek full justice.

Not all vehicle defects have to cause accidents for manufacturers to be held liable. For instance, severe impacts caused by defective safety systems can inflict spinal cord injuries even during lower-speed impacts. If your car experienced an airbag or seatbelt failure that worsened injuries you received during any kind of accident, you could still be eligible to receive compensation, even if the defect did not cause your crash.

What You Have to Prove

Just showing that your vehicle has a defect doesn’t make you entitled to damages. You must suffer a compensable loss to be eligible for compensation, and that loss must have occurred as a direct result of the vehicle defect. While proof of negligence may not be required under California’s strict liability standard, your lawyer may still need to provide evidence that:

• The vehicle or one of its components had a dangerous defect.
• The defect injured you while you were using the vehicle as it was intended.
• You made no substantial alterations to the vehicle after purchasing it that could have affected how it performed.
• You suffered an injury that involved compensable damages.

You may be able to provide some of the evidence required to prove these elements of a defective product case. Your lawyer may also need to acquire evidence during the discovery process.

Damages Recoverable in a Defective Vehicle Case

If your claim against the vehicle manufacturer is successful, you can recover damages. The final amount of your settlement could depend on factors such as the severity of your injuries and whether you held any liability for the accident that caused them. The damages you receive could include:

• Economic damages. Economic damages for medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages and future income potential, and property damage can be substantial in defective vehicle cases.
• Non-economic damages. Non-economic damages can further increase your final settlement amount by compensating you for less easily quantifiable harms like pain and suffering and emotional distress.
• Punitive damages. California courts sometimes award punitive damages in defective product cases as a way to deter manufacturers from continuing to produce goods that could harm the public. Ask your lawyer if they believe this may apply to your case.

The most effective way to make sure you get compensated for 100% of your damages is to work with a defective vehicle attorney who can identify all of them and accurately estimate the cost of future damages. In collisions involving severe vehicle fires, victims may suffer severe burn injuries requiring extensive long-term care. This may require the help of expert witnesses.

Who Is Liable for Vehicle Defects?

In most cases, the vehicle’s manufacturer is held liable for vehicle defects. There are, however, a few exceptions, and the chain of distribution can include multiple potential defendants.

If your case involved a defective part, such as a new battery or tires installed on it after you purchased it, the parts manufacturer may be held liable. If the defective component was part of the original car as you purchased it, both the vehicle and part manufacturer may be held liable. Car dealerships and automotive supply shops can also face defective vehicle claims.

What if the Vehicle Didn’t Belong to Me?

If you were involved in an accident involving someone else’s vehicle, such as a borrowed or rented car, truck, or SUV, you may still be eligible to receive compensation from the manufacturer or another liable party. These claims often involve complex liability issues, similar to those navigated by our motorcycle accident lawyers when pursuing negligent drivers or equipment makers.

The same is true of pedestrians, bicyclists, and passengers in any vehicles that have been injured by other people’s defective cars. In severe crashes, victims frequently suffer a traumatic brain injury that requires substantial long-term financial recovery. It’s also worth noting that you may still be able to hold the manufacturer liable even if driver error also contributed to causing the crash.

FAQs

What Is Considered a Defect in a Car?

A defect in a car is any mistake in design, manufacturing, or parts that impair its use, safety, or value. Defective vehicles can be dangerous to drive. California has laws in place to protect buyers of defective vehicles, colloquially known as lemon laws. If a defective vehicle causes an accident, drivers may also hold the manufacturer or dealership liable for any injuries that occur as a result.

What Is the Hardest Injury to Prove?

The hardest injuries to prove are invisible injuries that don’t show up on medical imaging or in other tests. Examples include minor traumatic brain injuries, soft tissue damage, and psychological injuries, such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Diagnosing and determining the extent of these types of injuries requires a combination of the results from medical examinations and pain journals. The help of an expert witness may be required.

Can You File a Claim Against Someone for Selling You a Defective Car?

You can file a claim against a dealership for selling you a defective car under California’s lemon laws. You can also file a personal injury claim if the defect causes an accident. In these cases, it may be the dealership or the manufacturer that is held liable for your injuries and other damages. When in doubt about what type of claim to file, contact an Orange County defective vehicle accident attorney.

What Are Most Accidents Caused By?

Most accidents are caused by driver error or negligence. Driver error comes in many forms, including distracted driving, impaired driving, drowsy driving, aggressive driving, and failing to follow the rules of the road. Accidents can also be caused by defects in vehicles’ manufacturing, design, or marketing, in which case you may be able to hold the manufacturer liable for its negligence.

Your Orange County Defective Vehicle Accident Lawyer

If you’re looking for a skilled Orange County defective vehicle accident lawyer to assist you with your case, you can rely on the team here at Easton & Easton.

We are committed to protecting professionals and their families when serious accidents disrupt their careers. We routinely handle complex defective vehicle accident cases with large settlements. We have strategies in place for making sure you are fully compensated by insurance companies and do not hesitate to take cases to court if litigation is the right way forward. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation regarding your case.

Orange County, CA Defective Vehicle Accident Legal Resources

• Orange County Superior Court – Civil Complex Center & Central Justice Center Filings
• California Highway Patrol – Collision Report Requests
• California Civil Code – Strict Products Liability Standards (Cal. Civ. Code § 1714)
• Orange County Sheriff’s Department – Traffic Collision Records