Vehicle defects can be more than just a nuisance – they could lead to significant safety hazards on the roadway. Here, we want to examine some of the most common vehicle defects that lead to accidents or an increased risk of injuries for vehicle occupants. If you or a loved one have been injured due to a defective vehicle or vehicle part, reach out to a Phoenix product liability lawyer for assistance as soon as possible.
Seat Belts
Seatbelts save lives. There is no denying that. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 50% of those killed in a vehicle accident in 2021 were not wearing a seat belt at the time the incident occurred.
Even though seatbelts save lives, they can also be defective. These defects can occur in various ways, including broken latch systems and malfunctioning tension detectors. Seat belt defects put lives in danger in the event an accident occurs.
Airbags
Tens of millions of vehicles with Takata airbags have been recalled over the last few years. Unfortunately, these airbags were used in various types of vehicles and could explode when deployed, leading to serious injury or death for drivers and passengers. Some of the main types of airbag defects include them deploying with extreme force, not deploying at all, or deploying at the wrong time when a collision occurs.
Steering Components
Defective steering components, including the steering wheel, can lead to major issues for drivers on the roadway. Some of the main symptoms of defective steering components include drivers having difficulty steering or turning the wheel, the vehicle drifting to one side on a straight road, and more.
Fuel Systems
Car fires and explosions are rare, but they can occur. Defective fuel systems can lead to vehicle fires and an eventual explosion. These defects can occur in a number of ways, but individuals often do not know about them until an incident occurs.
Braking Systems
Drivers depend on their brakes working correctly every single time they touch the brake pedal. If individuals cannot stop safely, then they are not safe. Brakes can be defective in a number of ways, as can the systems that alert drivers to a problem with the braking system.
Tires
Drivers should always check their tires for wear and tear as well as proper pressure. There are various ways that tires can become defective. First, the tires may be defective when they are put onto a vehicle. However, there are various vehicle issues that could lead to the tires having uneven wear and tear.
Headlights and Taillights
Drivers rely on their headlights and tail lights. Headlights must be in proper working order, particularly when drivers are operating during the evening and night hours or during any type of weather condition. Tail lights are crucial so that other vehicles can see the approaching lights when coming from the rear.
Speak to an Attorney
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a vehicle accident caused by or made worse by a vehicle defect, we encourage you to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. A specialized personal injury lawyer in Phoenix can thoroughly investigate every aspect of the claim, including determining the liability of various drivers involved as well as examining whether or not a defect was responsible for the incident.