Consumers generally trust products, especially those that have powerful industries backing them. There is an assumption that motor vehicles have to meet very specific standards for the sake of safety. Members of the public generally trust that new vehicles or used vehicles purchased under manufacturer or dealership warranty are safe for them to drive.
Unfortunately, not all vehicles are as safe as people might initially expect. Sometimes, manufacturers buy key components from companies that later turn out to have production issues. For example, there have been numerous air bag recalls historically because of unsafe airbag systems designed by a particular manufacturer. There have also been many recalls related to proprietary systems manufactured and designed by automotive companies.
Who is responsible when a defective vehicle component leads to a crash?
Manufacturers are often liable for defects. Several different considerations influence liability after a crash caused by defective vehicle components. One of the first considerations is whether the manufacturer knew about the issue and what steps they had taken to address it.
Obviously, an airbag suddenly exploding in front of someone could distract them and obstruct their view. In some cases, the airbag could cause injuries to the driver when it deploys unexpectedly. If that driver causes a crash, then they might have reason to take legal action against the manufacturer.
Occasionally, it could be the third-party component manufacturer who is liable for defective components. Even then, however, manufacturers may have a degree of responsibility. They should test not just components initially when deciding what parts to use but should also engage in consistent quality control testing to ensure that new components delivered meet the original standards. The failure to do so puts consumers at risk and may ultimately lead to liability for the business.
A driver with a vehicle that has defective parts – or who has been injured by another’s defective vehicle – should not have to worry about absorbing the financial costs caused by a crash. Holding manufacturers accountable for dangerous and defective vehicle components could help change manufacturing practices and better compensate those affected by product failures and the collisions they cause.