Modern cars are equipped with sophisticated safety systems and undergo rigorous testing, but unfortunately, defective parts and design flaws still cause serious accidents every year. When a mechanical failure or manufacturing defect contributes to your crash, you have the right to hold the manufacturer accountable through a product liability lawsuit. Here’s what you need to know about auto defect accidents in Kansas City.
Types of Vehicle Defects That Cause Accidents
Your car is a complex machine with thousands of interconnected components that must work in harmony to keep you safe on the road. When a part fails or malfunctions, your vehicle’s safety and performance are compromised.
Several types of defects commonly lead to serious accidents:
- Brake system failures, such as defective brake pads, rotors, or hydraulic systems, that prevent proper stopping
- Steering defects that cause loss of control, including power steering failures or faulty steering columns
- Tire blowouts, manufacturing flaws, or tread separation issues that lead to sudden loss of vehicle control
- Airbag malfunctions, such as a failure to deploy during impact or unexpected deployment while driving
- Seatbelts that fail to restrain passengers properly or have latches that release during crashes
- Electronic system failures, which can affect safety features like stability control, anti-lock brakes, or lane departure systems
- Engine and transmission problems that lead to sudden acceleration, stalling, or gear slipping
- Fuel system defects caused by faulty fuel lines, tanks, or pumps, leading to leaks or fires
When Manufacturers Are Liable for Defective Vehicles
If you were involved in a car accident that was caused by an auto defect—either your own or inside of another person’s vehicle—you have the right to pursue legal action against the manufacturer. Product liability laws protect consumers when defective products cause harm. Under these laws, manufacturers can be held responsible for three types of defects:
- Design defects occur when a vehicle or component’s design is inherently unsafe, even when manufactured correctly.
- Manufacturing defects happen when errors during production create dangerous conditions in otherwise safe designs.
- Marketing defects involve inadequate warnings or instructions about known risks.
You do not need to prove the manufacturer was negligent to pursue a product liability claim. Instead, you must demonstrate that the defect existed when the vehicle left the manufacturer’s control and that this defect directly caused or contributed to your accident and injuries.
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Get Legal Help After an Auto Defect Accident in Kansas City
Proving an Auto Defect Caused Your Accident
Establishing that a vehicle defect caused your accident requires extensive investigation and expert analysis. Your Kansas City car accident attorney will work with accident reconstruction specialists, automotive engineers, and other professionals to build your case. They will examine the crash scene, inspect your damaged vehicle, review maintenance records, and analyze similar defect reports or recalls.
Your lawyer may also investigate whether other drivers experienced similar problems with the same make and model. They will work to gather technical documents from the manufacturer, including design specifications, testing data, and internal communications that might reveal knowledge of the defect.
Get Justice with Our Kansas City Car Accident Lawyers
When vehicle manufacturers cut corners on safety, Kansas City drivers pay the price. Defective brakes, faulty airbags, steering problems, and tire failures can turn routine drives into catastrophic accidents. If you suspect that an auto defect contributed to your collision, a Kansas City injury lawyer at Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe will fight for the compensation you need to move forward. Contact us at (816) 876-2600 and learn how we can help you hold negligent manufacturers accountable.