The average American driver travels more than 29 miles per day and spends 46 minutes behind the wheel. With so much time on the road, it’s easy to become complacent; however, even the most diligent drivers cannot avoid accidents caused by defective auto parts.
A minor oversight during the design, manufacture or sale of an auto part can have catastrophic consequences. Although parts manufacturers have invested billions of dollars to ensure the safety of their products, millions of vehicles are recalled every year in the United States. In fact, 63.9 million vehicles were recalled in 2014 alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
If you purchase a new vehicle, you should register it with the NHTSA to receive automatic updates about recalls. If you have not registered your car with the NHTSA, you can perform an online recall search using your Vehicle Identification Number. Alternatively, you can contact your auto insurance provider and ask about recalls.
Unfortunately, many drivers do not learn about recalls until it is too late. If you were injured or lost a family member due to an auto part defect, contact Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC. Call 319-393-1020 to schedule a free consultation with a personal-injury lawyer in Cedar Rapids.
10 Most Common Auto Part Defects
Automotive recalls are issued either by the vehicle manufacturer or the NHTSA. General Motors, a multinational corporation that produced 9,958,000 vehicles in 2015, recalled more than 26 million vehicles in 2013.
As you can see, even the most established vehicle manufacturers are not immune to auto part defects. Although there are countless reasons why an auto part might be faulty, these 10 defects are particularly common:
- Tires that wear too quickly, which leads to sliding and skidding;
- Steering wheels that snap or break, which cause drivers to lose control;
- Brakes that do not engage;
- Wheels that fracture under pressure, which causes unpredictable swerving;
- Accelerator pedals that stick and force the vehicle to speed up;
- Faulty windshield wipers that inhibit the driver’s visibility;
- Engines that stall abruptly without cause, which leads to rear-end accidents;
- Defective wiring systems that cause fires and erratic performance;
- Negligently designed seats that prevent drivers from operating their vehicles safely; and
- Airbags that activate for no reason.
If you were hurt or lost a family member due to an auto part defect, then you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income and other damages. However, recovering fair compensation is a legally complicated process, and automotive companies have high-powered attorneys to defend their interests.
At Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC, you will find a team of highly skilled personal-injury lawyers with the litigation experience to protect your rights. We will investigate your crash, interview witnesses, and help you fight for the maximum compensation. Call 319-393-1020 to schedule a free consultation with an accident attorney in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
