What if the Accident was Caused by a Defective Vehicle or Tire?
Sometimes, dangerous traffic accidents are the direct result of defective vehicles or parts, such as tires. In these product liability cases, strict liability applies. This means you won’t need to prove that the manufacturer was negligent the way you would in a personal injury traffic accident claim. Instead, you’ll need to show that the vehicle or the tires were rendered dangerous by design, manufacture, or inadequate warning or instruction. You can expect the manufacturer to put immense effort and cost into avoiding responsibility, which makes these claims legally challenging. Our experienced Greensburg traffic accident attorneys at Stine & Associates, however, have the legal skill and drive to help.
Traffic Accidents in Greensburg
Greensburg consistently experiences heavy traffic, including truck traffic, and the traffic accidents that go along with it. While driver negligence is often the core cause of these accidents, defective vehicles and parts are sometimes the problem.
The statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit against an at-fault manufacturer in Pennsylvania is just two years, which means that timing is critical. Where you file your claim in Westmoreland County will depend on the location of the accident and the value of the total damages. It’s in your best interest to retain a savvy traffic accident lawyer early on.
Manufacturing Defects
To hold a car or tire manufacturer legally liable for your damages, you’ll need to prove that the accident was caused by a specific defect.
Defective by Design
A defect in design means that the car was dangerous to begin with, as a matter of design. These concerns are associated with the car or tire itself, and prime examples include the following:
- Suspension systems that are prone to rollovers
- Airbags that explode upon deployment
- Faulty ignition switches
- Weak sidewalls on tires that lead to tread separation and blowouts
- Improper tread adhesion
When the flaw is in the design, every vehicle or tire manufactured according to the design in question is inherently defective.
Defective by Manufacture
Defects that relate to manufacturing occur as a result of production flaws or errors during assembly. These defects cause the vehicle or tire to deviate from the original design. Manufacturing defects generally only affect the specific products included in the defective batches.
Common examples of defects by manufacture include errors in assembly, such as faulty wiring, misaligned components, or missing parts. Structural weakness caused by inadequate welding or other factors that compromise strength is also a primary concern. In addition, using flawed materials, such as lower-grade products, can prove exceptionally dangerous.
Defective by Warning or Instruction
When the manufacturer fails to provide adequate instructions and warnings related to operating the vehicle safely or to installing the tire safely, it can lead to life-threatening accidents. These are often referred to as marketing defects.
Our Experienced Greensburg Traffic Accident Lawyers Are in Your Corner
Our skilled Greensburg traffic accident attorneys at Stine & Associates will spare no effort in pursuit of an optimal claim outcome on your behalf. Learn more by contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 724-837-0160 today.