Car accidents in Clearwater often occur because of reckless drivers or dangerous road conditions. However, sometimes accidents can occur because car parts of vehicles are defective. When this happens, those responsible must be held accountable, not only do the victims deserve compensation, but it can also prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.
We all want the roads to be as safe as possible, but when dangerous vehicle parts remain in circulation, lives are put at risk. The car mechanic, manufacturer, or car-parts manufacturer could be responsible, and by identifying the negligent party, they will be encouraged to take greater care in the future.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving defective parts, you should contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible. When you try to hold big companies like car manufacturers liable, they will be represented by experienced Clearwater car accident lawyers, ready to devalue or dismiss your claim. We will fight for the justice you deserve and will ensure that you are not taken advantage of. Contact us at The Law Place today and arrange a free case consultation on (941)444-4444.
Causes of Defects in Automobiles in Clearwater, FL
There are many ways in which a car accident can be caused by defective parts. Often, the driver is unaware of the defect and, therefore, not at fault. The mistake could have been made while the car was being manufactured, or it could have been damaged by a mechanic while repairing the vehicle.
When a car accident occurs because of defective car parts, seeking compensation becomes complicated. Rather than seeking damages from the at-fault driver, you will need to investigate and determine exactly what happened. When you do determine fault, you may then be faced with the daunting task of going up against big car or manufacturing companies. That is why it is beneficial to have an experienced law firm to represent you.
The most common defects in Florida are:
If the vehicle manufacturer is negligent:
- Negligent processes during the manufacturing process.
- Poor vehicle design.
- Improper installation of parts.
If the car parts manufacturer is negligent:
- Poor design of vehicle parts.
- Defective products used in the manufacturing process.
- Negligent processes in the manufacturing of car parts.
If the mechanic is negligent:
- Damage to existing parts while repairing the car.
- Defective products used in car repair.
Common Vehicle Defects in Clearwater, FL
Vehicles consist of a lot of different parts, which means that there are several places where things could go wrong. However, some defects occur more frequently and are more likely to either cause a crash or elevate a minor accident to a major one. Some common examples are:
- Airbags – Airbags are a safety feature that should protect people from serious injury. However, if they inflate when they shouldn’t, it can actually cause unnecessary injuries. Furthermore, when they fail to deploy when they should, they can fail to protect someone. Faulty airbags are usually due to the car or car parts manufacturer, but it can also be the fault of a mechanic who may have failed to properly replace an airbag after a crash.
- Seat belts – If a seat belt fails to properly hold someone in place during a car accident, it can contribute to severe and life-threatening injuries.
- Roof – When a vehicle rolls over, the roof should remain strong and protective. If the roof collapses or falls apart, it could be because of the negligence of the car manufacturer.
- Tires – Tires should be suitable for the purpose, but when they are not, they can blowout. This can lead to serious car accidents, especially when vehicles are moving at high-speed. Sometimes the fault lies with the driver for failing to maintain their vehicle. Other times they have been mis-sold an unsafe tire, or there has been a fault with their tires, to begin with.
- Gas tanks – Defective gas tanks can cause a vehicle to explode, even in a car crash, which could have been minor otherwise.
- Other common defects – Accelerator controls, wiring, brake system parts, and steering system parts are all aspects of your car that have the potential to have a defect.
Following a car crash in Clearwater, you should speak to Clearwater personal injury lawyer at The Law Place. We have over 75 years of collective experience with Florida’s personal injury law, and we have the knowledge necessary to determine whether your accident could have been caused or made worse by a defect.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Compensation for Accidents Caused by Vehicle Defects in Clearwater, FL
If you were in an auto accident in Clearwater, which was either caused or made worse by defective vehicle parts, then you should contact a personal injury lawyer at The Law Place so that they can determine whether they think you have a valid claim. Your damages could include:
- Medical bills – Including medical bills for past and future treatment, transport to and from appointments, and any adjustments that need to be made to your home to make adjustments for any injuries.
- Lost wages – If you were unable to work after the incident, then you should be compensated for your lost wages as well as future earning potential.
- Property damage – If your vehicle was damaged or any items that were in your cars, such as a phone or laptop, were damaged, then you can claim for this.
- Pain and suffering – Pain and suffering cover your non-economical damages such as emotional trauma and any loss of enjoyment. Loss of enjoyment offers some compensation if you are unable to participate in activities that you did before the incident, such as running or walking. These types of damages can be difficult to quantify, and it helps to have a car accident lawyer representing you.
- Loss of a loved one – If you have lost a family member in a car accident, then you should be compensated for funeral expenses and loss of consortium (loss of income to a family household).
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience What Will a Law Firm Do for Me in Clearwater?
According to research, more than 90% of personal injury cases that have the representation of a lawyer, resulting in a payout, which is, on average, 60% more than those with no representation. This depends on the case at hand, but these are very good statistics.
At The Law Place, we will ask some simple questions in order to get a vague idea of the details of your case. We do not expect you to have all the answers at this stage; that is what we are here for. We will offer free, unbiased advice as to what your next steps should be.
Following a phone call, we will arrange a free consultation where we will go into detail about what we can do for you and what our fee structure is. We work on a contingency basis, monitored by the The Florida Bar . This means that we take a percentage of your eventual settlement.
At this point, you can make an informed decision as to whether to agree to representation from a car accident lawyer. If you agree, we will take over the investigations while you take the time to rest and recover.
Most claims in Clearwater end with a settlement, without the need to go to court. However, if there is pushback against hour claim, which is common when dealing with large manufacturing companies, we will have already built up a strong case and will be ready to face their legal teams in court. We will not settle for anything less than what we think you deserve.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers. How Much Does It Cost to Hire Attorney for a Car Accident Case in Clearwater, Florida?
At The Law Place, we understand how stressful it can be to deal with the aftermath of a car accident. Especially one that involves defective car parts. Many different parties could be involved, all with their own agendas, and proving the cause can be difficult.
Your insurance company could be eager to offer a low settlement, they are big businesses, and their motivation is profit. When you have an attorney to represent you, they will help you to fight for a higher settlement that is in line with your medical bills and other damages.
We will explain our fee structure clearly in our free consultation, so you can make a decision once you have all the facts. Our contingency basis means that you are not left out of pocket; our fee comes from your settlement.
The amount you might be able to seek varies widely, depending on the severity of your injuries and the details of your individual case. Get in touch today and find out how much you could be entitled to.
Comparative Fault
Florida operates under Florida Statute 768.81, which is a comparative fault system. The comparative fault often comes into play in accidents that involve defective car parts. If you contributed towards the accident, but it was made worse by a defective car part, then your settlement might be deducted by how much you were found to be at fault.
For example, if you were speeding, but your airbags failed to deploy, which worsened your injures, then you could be found to be partially at fault. If you were 20 percent at fault for your injuries, 20 percent would be deducted from your settlement.
Your accident attorneys will make a fight for your percentage of fault to be kept low and to be in line with the circumstances of your case. Insurance companies or car manufacturers are often eager to argue that you were mostly at fault for the accident; we will make sure that you are not taken advantage of.
Speak to The Law Place Today in Florida Today!
If you have been in an accident that was worse by defective car parts, then you should speak to an attorney. Cases involving defective parts are usually very complex, and without proper representation, you could walk away with less than what you deserve.
At The Law Place, we review your case as a team so you can benefit from our combined experience, which spans over 75 years. We are ready to take on large insurance or manufacturing companies. We are passionate about making Florida’s roads a safer place to drive or be a pedestrian.
Contact us today for a free consultation on (941)444-4444.
