If you suffered injuries from a crash a defective car part caused, you’re dealing with medical bills and a mountain of stress that feels impossible to climb. Maybe your brakes failed. Maybe a tire blew out. Maybe your airbag didn’t deploy.
Whatever the reason, an accident caused by a faulty product can leave you feeling lost and unsure of what to do next. The good news is that Texas law protects consumers and provides ways for you to get money from the people who made or sold you a defective car part.
If you’re wondering, can I file a claim if the accident was caused by a defective car part? The answer is often yes, and you may be able to hold the manufacturer and others in the supply chain responsible.
An experienced car accident attorney can help you understand your rights and the legal steps to take. Contact a lawyer near you for a free consultation.
What Is a Defective Car Part?
Defective car parts are not safe for their intended use. This can happen in a few ways. The part might have a flaw in its design, a mistake in how it was made, or the manufacturer might have failed to warn you about a danger the product had. Here’s a closer look at those three types of defects.
What Is a Design Defect?
A design defect exists before a product is even made. The problem is with the blueprint or the plan for the product itself. All of the products made from this faulty plan will have the same defect. This type of defect affects every vehicle of that model, not just a single car.
You don’t have to show that the manufacturer was careless or negligent, only that the design itself was unsafe.
What Is a Manufacturing Defect?
A manufacturing defect happens when a product is made. The design might be perfectly safe, but an error during the building process makes the final product dangerous. Maybe a worker used the wrong material, or a machine malfunctioned and didn’t tighten a bolt correctly. This type of defect often affects only a small number of products, not every single one.
What Is a Failure to Warn?
Sometimes, a product is designed and built correctly, but it has a hidden danger that the user would not expect. When this happens, the manufacturer has a duty to warn the consumer about that danger. A failure to warn, sometimes called a marketing defect, happens when the manufacturer does not provide proper instructions or warnings about the risks associated with using the product.
What Legal Theories Apply to a Defective Product Claim in Texas?
When you sue for an accident caused by a defective car part, you are typically filing a product liability claim. In Texas, a few different legal ideas can apply to your case. The most common ones are strict liability, negligence, and breach of warranty. An attorney will use one or more of these ideas to build your case and show that the at-fault party is responsible for your injuries and losses.
Strict Liability
Strict liability means that the person who made or sold a defective product is responsible for any harm it causes, regardless of whether they were careless. You do not have to prove that the manufacturer or seller was negligent. You just have to show that the product was defective and that the defect caused your accident and injuries.
This can make a strict liability claim easier to prove than a negligence claim because the focus is on the product, not on the manufacturer’s actions. For example, if your brakes failed because of a manufacturing defect, under strict liability, the manufacturer can be held accountable even if they had no idea the defect existed.
Negligence
Negligence is the legal idea that someone is responsible for harm if they fail to act as a reasonable person would. In a defective product case, you must show that the manufacturer or another party in the supply chain was careless and that their carelessness caused the defect that led to your accident.
Negligence can be more difficult to prove than a strict liability claim because you must show that the at-fault party knew or should have known about the defect. For example, you might prove a car company was negligent if they failed to inspect a component for flaws before putting it in a vehicle, and that component later caused an accident.
Breach of Warranty
A warranty is a promise from the manufacturer or seller about the quality of a product. A breach of warranty claim is based on the idea that the product did not live up to a promise made about its quality or safety. There can be an express warranty, which is a specific promise made in writing, or an implied warranty, which is a promise that the law assumes.
For example, when you buy a car, there is an implied warranty that it will be reasonably safe to drive. If a faulty part makes the car unsafe and causes an accident, the manufacturer has breached that warranty.
Who Can I Sue for an Accident Caused by a Defective Part?
When an accident happens because of a defective car part, you might think only the company that made the part is at fault. However, the law often holds more than one person or company responsible. The supply chain for a car part can be quite long. Your attorney can identify all the people or companies that might share the blame for your injuries.
The Manufacturer of the Defective Part
This is the most obvious party to sue. The company that designed, made, and tested the faulty component is a primary target. They are responsible for making sure the product they put into the world is safe for consumers.
The Automobile Manufacturer
The company that assembled the car and put the defective part into it can also be held responsible. They have a duty to ensure all the components they use are safe. If they used a part they knew was defective or failed to properly inspect it, they can be held accountable.
The Dealership or Retailer
In some cases, the dealership or other retailer who sold you the car or the part can also be held responsible. This can happen if they sold you a used car and failed to inspect it for defects, or if they knew the part was faulty and sold it to you anyway.
What Evidence Is Needed to Prove a Defective Product Claim?
Proving a defective product claim takes a lot of work. The at-fault parties and their insurance companies will fight hard against your claim. You need an attorney to show that the product was defective, the defect caused your accident, and the accident caused your injuries and losses. A lawyer can assist you with gathering important evidence and testimony. They have the resources to find and preserve the evidence you need to build a strong case.
The Product Itself
The defective product is the most important piece of evidence. You need to keep the part, as it is the very thing that will be inspected for flaws. The part will be examined by people who have the skills to identify the defect and explain what went wrong. It is very important that you do not sell, repair, or destroy the car or the part.
Expert Witness Testimony
Because defective product cases are often complicated, you often need the testimony of people who have deep knowledge in specific areas. A mechanical engineer, for example, can look at the defective part and explain what was wrong with it. An accident reconstructionist can analyze the accident scene and show how the defective part caused the crash. These people can provide powerful testimony that can help a jury understand what happened.
Accident Reconstruction Reports
An accident reconstructionist can review all the evidence, from police reports and photos to witness statements, to create a clear picture of how the accident happened. Their report can show how the defective part directly caused the crash, which is a key part of your case.
Medical Records
Your medical records show the extent of your injuries. They are crucial for proving the harm you suffered because of the accident. These records document your doctor visits, treatments, and prognosis, showing the full physical impact of the crash.
How Our Attorneys Can Help
Dealing with a car accident is difficult enough. When a defective car part is involved, the situation becomes even more complicated. You shouldn’t have to go through this alone. An attorney can handle the heavy lifting, giving you the space to focus on getting better.
Investigate the Cause of Your Accident
An attorney from Tyson Law Firm can quickly get to work to determine what caused your accident. We will gather evidence, speak with witnesses, and bring in the right people to examine the defective part and the accident scene. Our goal is to prove that a faulty component was to blame for the crash.
Identify All Liable Parties
As we discussed, more than one party can be held accountable for a defective car part accident. We will identify every single person or company that shares responsibility, from the parts manufacturer to the dealership. Holding all parties accountable increases the chance you get the full value of your claim.
Calculate the Full Extent of Your Damages
Your attorney will look at all the ways the accident has affected your life. We will look at your past and future medical bills, lost wages from time off work, and the impact the injuries have had on your life. This helps us determine the proper amount to seek for your damages.
Negotiate with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies for the at-fault parties will likely try to pay as little as possible. We will handle all communication with them, making sure they do not pressure you into a quick, low settlement. We will use their experience to present a strong case and negotiate for a fair amount.
Represent You in Court
If the at-fault parties or their insurance company refuse to offer a fair settlement, your attorney will be prepared to take your case to court. They will represent your interests and present the evidence to a judge and jury, fighting for a proper outcome.
FAQs About Defective Car Parts Causing Accidents
How long do I have to file a claim?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for a product liability claim is generally two years from the date of the accident. It is important to act quickly because evidence can disappear and memories can fade.
What if the part was recalled?
If the manufacturer recalled the part before your accident, it makes your case stronger. A recall is strong proof that the manufacturer knew the product was unsafe. If you did not know about the recall, it does not stop you from filing a claim.
Can I sue if the accident happened in another state?
The laws that apply to your case will depend on the state where the accident happened. Your attorney can advise you on the legal process in that state.
What if I didn’t buy the car new?
It does not matter if you bought the car new or used. The manufacturer is still responsible for making a safe product. The law does not require you to be the original buyer to file a claim.
What if I was at fault for the accident?
Texas uses a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover money even if you were partly at fault, as long as your share of the blame is not more than 50 percent. The amount you can get will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Let Our Car Accident Lawyers in Texas Help
The time you have to file a claim is limited. The at-fault parties will start building their defense right away, and so should you. Waiting too long can mean you miss your chance to get money for your injuries.
If a defective car part caused your accident in Dallas, Tyson Law Firm can help. Our firm has a lot of experience with defective car part accident cases in the Dallas area, and we know the Texas laws inside and out. We are ready to fight for you. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Dallas personal injury lawyer to talk about your case.
