Some stats you should know:
- 5,250,837 car accidents occurred in the year 2020
- 35,766 of those accidents were fatal ones
- In the US, one fatal accident occurs every 15 mins
- 35% of all accidents involved impaired driving
- 10% of all accidents involved defective car parts
We are going to focus on the last statistic. This blog post explores the dangers of defective parts and how to deal with an accident caused by defective parts.
Regardless of the reason for the accident, the first thing you need to do is contact a car accident attorney. They will help you with the case, from determining negligence to obtaining compensation. Compared to other cases, determining negligence in car accidents caused by defective parts is harder.
Read: How to Deal with an Auto Accident
Dealing with a Car Accident Caused by Defective Parts
Defective car parts are one of the leading causes of car accidents. A defective part makes it very hard to control the car, which in turn results in car accidents. As said, dealing with these types of accidents is a bit more complex than other types. You need to know who you can sue. The following are potential liable parties for car accidents caused by defective parts.
Car Manufacturer
The car manufacturer is the first person you should look into. Mistakes can happen during production. But the manufacturer should find out about these defects and fix them before sending them out for sale. If not, they can be held liable for your accident. Remember, they will have the best defense lawyers by their side just for these types of situations. So, hire a lawyer as soon as possible.
Car Mechanic
The mechanic who recently worked on your car can be held liable in some cases. The mechanic has the responsibility to fix any issues they find, thoroughly check for issues that may arise in the future, and inform you about those defects. Failure to do this can lead to car accidents. Of course, you are not going to change a car part without any reason. A mechanic should give you a reason to change the particular part before the issue gets out of hand.
Defective Parts Manufacturer
Sometimes the particular part that caused the accident could have been manufactured by a different company. In that case, you can file a lawsuit against the defective part’s manufacturer.
Establish Negligence
Now, you know the potential liable parties. Ask your lawyer to investigate the accident and determine negligence. One of the above-mentioned three must be the negligent party. Of course, your lawyer knows that, and they will investigate accordingly.
Calculate Your Losses
Calculate the expenses (losses) you incurred as a result of the accident. You have to include factors like medical bills, property repair expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of quality of life, etc. when calculating your losses. Only then can you know the true worth of your case.
Negotiate with the Insurance Company
Insurance companies will not agree to your terms that easily. You have to make them agree to your terms. Your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company to obtain fair compensation. They will use various strategies to make the negotiation go in your favor.
File a Lawsuit
If the negotiation doesn’t go in your favor, you can file a lawsuit. But before doing that, discuss your case with your lawyer. A lawsuit can be long and tiring, but the outcome can be very favorable. If your lawyer thinks you have a high chance of winning the case, then file a lawsuit.
Wrapping Up
An experienced car accident lawyer can navigate cases like these with ease. Speak with a lawyer and know what’s the best way to deal with your case. On a side note, take your car to a good auto mechanic shop regularly.
Read Next:
5 Things a Lawyer Will Do to Win Your Car Accident Case
