Automotive Defect

Huntsville Automotive Defect Attorneys, Alabama

Dedicated to pursuing justice for clients who were hurt by defective auto parts

Each time you get behind the wheel, you place an enormous amount of trust in the vehicle you are driving. You trust that all the parts will operate as they should, and that you will arrive at your destination safely. Most often, that is precisely what happens, but there are times when an automotive part is defective, and it causes an injury or a fatality. If you have sustained a serious injury because of an automotive defect, you may be able to hold the manufacturer responsible for your losses.

The experienced Huntsville product liability lawyers at Martin & Helms are here to protect your right to recover the compensation you need when you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, or when you have lost a loved one in a traffic accident caused by an automotive defect.

Examples of automotive defects that cause accidents and injuries

Motor vehicles have hundreds of moving parts, but there are a few critical parts which if they malfunction can cause a traffic crash or make one even more serious than it otherwise would have been. The following are a few examples of defective automotive parts that have made it into the news over the last decade:

  • Airbags
  • Brakes
  • Tires
  • Steering systems
  • Fuel injectors
  • Seatbacks
  • Seatbelts
  • Gas tanks
  • Sunroofs
  • Gear shifters

Almost every major car manufacturer has issued a recall – voluntarily or by force – because of defective car and truck parts. Honda’s airbags exploded. GM’s gear shifters moved on their own. Chrysler’s cruise control feature couldn’t be shut off. BMWs spontaneously combusted. Every year, it seems, the list grows.

Injuries in accidents caused by automotive defects

The fact that an auto accident was caused by an automotive defect is not likely to have a significant impact on the types of injuries suffered. They would be typical car accident injuries such as:

  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Traumatic limb loss
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Internal organ damage
  • Wrongful death

Proving your injury claim

When it comes to the vehicle that you rely on for daily transportation, you expect that it will operate safely as it was designed to. When a motor vehicle crash occurs because of defective automotive parts, or a defect with the vehicle itself, the manufacturer may be held liable for the injuries and other damages from the accident. The plaintiff would have to prove, in a strict liability claim, that the product was defective and that the defect caused the injury.

How can a product liability lawyer help my case?

Just because an automotive defect caused the crash where you were injured does not mean that the automobile or automotive parts manufacturer will automatically be liable for your injuries and losses. You as the injured party must prove that the vehicle or component was defective and that the defect caused your injury. That may require working with engineering and manufacturing subject matter experts who can testify about how the defect was responsible for causing the crash. Having the services of an experienced Huntsville product liability lawyer on your side will protect your interest. We are familiar with the tactics of the big automotive companies, and we know how to negotiate a fair settlement for you, and we are willing to take your case to trial should that become necessary.

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for an automotive defect injury claim?

At Martin & Helms, our Huntsville product liability lawyers take injury cases on contingency. We do not ask for a large retainer before we start working on your case. In fact, we advance the costs of pursuing your case, and we get paid as a percentage of the total amount of the settlement or the jury verdict. You can feel confident that we are working hard to recover the maximum compensation for you.

What damages are available in an automotive defect injury case?

The intention of awarding damages is to compensate the injured person for his or her injuries and any other losses suffered because of the accident. The jury has broad discretion in deciding damages in an injury case. The following are the different types of damages available depending on the facts of your case:

  • Medical expenses including hospital care, home health care, and other medical costs related to the injury.
  • Lost income from time missed at work while recovering from the injury
  • Pain and suffering caused by the injury itself
  • Emotional distress from the trauma of the accident
  • Disability for injuries that interfere with a person's ability to work
  • Loss of consortium for the injured person's spouse
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Other losses related to the accident

Schedule a free consultation with our experienced Huntsville Alabama auto product liability attorneys

If you have sustained a serious injury because of an automotive defect, the experienced Huntsville product liability lawyers at Martin & Helms are here to fight for your right to recover compensation. You are welcome to call us at 256-539-1990 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We also serve injured clients in Decatur, Athens and Madison, and throughout the state.

Huntsville Office

2317 Market Place SW
Suite A
Huntsville, AL 35801

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Areas of Focus

Automotive DefectWorkers’ CompensationWrongful DeathTraumatic Brain Injury
Dangerous DrugsBurn InjuryCar AccidentsConstruction Accidents
Motorcycle AccidentsDefective Medical DeviceFire and Explosion AccidentsPremises Liability
Product LiabilitySlip and FallPersonal InjuryTruck Accidents
Insurance Claims