Airbags and lap or shoulder belts together are very effective, but there are circumstances when inflating airbags have caused serious injuries, even deaths.
Learn More About Motor Vehicle Defects Claims
At Kolker & Germeroth, L.L.C., we provide an aggressive pursuit of justice for the victims of injuries that occur as a result of motor vehicle defects in St. Louis and throughout Missouri. To learn more about our practice in this area, visit our Car Parts Defects page.
Below we have included some helpful information about motor vehicle defects. To find out more about how our attorneys can help you with your specific legal needs, contact us today.
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Motor vehicle defect claims require the help of experienced trial lawyers. Each of our lawyers has more than 15 years of experience and has secured verdicts and settlements for our clients in excess of $1 million.
If you or a loved one has been hurt due to motor vehicle defects or manufacturing negligence, contact our firm today for a free initial consultation.
Motor Vehicle Defects - An Overview
In general, motor vehicles are safely designed and carefully manufactured. Some, however, are carelessly made or improperly designed. Poorly designed or defectively produced vehicles can be dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. If you or a family member has been injured in an automobile-related accident caused by a defective or poorly designed component, contact Kolker & Germeroth, LLC in Clayton, Missouri, today to schedule a consultation with an experienced products liability attorney who can advise you about the rules that apply in Missouri to your situation.
Liability for Defective Motor Vehicles
The laws governing responsibility for defective motor vehicles and what must be proven in court to establish liability vary from state to state. In most states, the parties who may be held liable include:
- The vehicle manufacturer
- The manufacturer of defective component parts such as tires
- The dealer, if the vehicle was purchased from a dealer
Several different reasons exist for holding a party liable for harm caused by a motor vehicle defect. The three most common legal theories for finding someone liable are breach of warranty, negligence, and strict liability.
A vehicle manufacturer or car dealer, but not an individual who is not in the business of selling cars, may be liable for breach of warranty if the vehicle is not fit or safe to be operated as intended. A breach of warranty may occur if there was an error in the design of the vehicle, if a particular vehicle was put together poorly, or if the components installed on the vehicle did not function properly. However, it is possible for a seller and buyer to disclaim all warranties during a vehicle sales transaction. Your attorney can review all of the documents signed at the sale of your vehicle and all of the surrounding circumstances to determine if there is an express or implied warranty in effect.
A manufacturer or a dealer may be held liable for negligence if the vehicle was not manufactured according to specifications, if it contained a design defect, or if the installed components were inadequate. In some cases, marketing a vehicle improperly, such as using advertisements that show the vehicle being driven at a higher rate of speed than is safe for that vehicle, may result in liability based on negligence.
Strict liability does not require an injured party to show that the manufacturer or seller of a product was negligent. The injured party needs to show only that the product was unsafe.
Contact a Products Liability Lawyer
The timely, cost-effective resolution of motor vehicle defect claims often calls for an attorney who has exemplary legal skills and is experienced in effectively negotiating solutions that are both legally sound and resistant to future litigation. To find out how a lawyer can work with you to address your immediate needs, call Kolker & Germeroth, LLC in Clayton, Missouri, today to schedule a consultation and case evaluation.
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DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.
