Car Recalls and Manufacturer Responsibility

Picture this: You’re driving home after a long day when suddenly, your brakes don’t respond. You can’t stop the car, and within seconds, you collide with another vehicle.

When accidents happen, most of us immediately think it’s because of a mistake. Maybe the other driver messed up, or the weather was bad. But what if it’s something else? Sometimes, the problem is buried under the hood – a hidden defect just waiting to cause trouble.

We trust cars to keep us safe, but they aren’t always perfect. Sure, manufacturers catch some of these issues and issue recalls. But sometimes, they’re too slow to act, or the message doesn’t even reach the people who need to hear it.

We’re going to discuss what recalls are, how they can lead to accidents, the role of car manufacturers, and how a car accident lawyer can help you get through the mess if it happens to you.

The link between car recalls and accidents

What is a car recall?

Simply put, it’s a recall when a car company realizes something is wrong with their vehicle. Maybe it’s the brakes, airbags, or even something as small as a switch. If that flaw makes the car unsafe to drive, the manufacturer issues a recall and offers to fix the problem for free.

Sounds straightforward, right? Fix the problem, and all is well. But it’s not that simple. Recalls often take time. Meanwhile, those unsafe cars are still on the road.

You might have heard about the Takata airbag recalls. They were everywhere in the news. Millions of cars had airbags that could literally explode, sending sharp fragments flying at the driver and passengers. People died. Many more were injured. And the devastating part? These flaws often went unnoticed until tragedy struck.

How recalls contribute to car accidents

What happens when something as critical as the brakes or steering fails when you’re behind the wheel? You lose control, plain and simple. Even with all the safety measures you take as a driver, there’s very little you can do when your own car works against you.

Here’s a frightening stat for you. Around 2% of all car accidents in the U.S. are caused by vehicle defects. It may not sound like much, but when you do the math, that’s about 44,000 crashes every single year.

When recalls happen, not every car gets fixed in time. Sometimes, owners don’t even know there’s a problem. Other times, they put off repairs because finding the time to visit a dealership isn’t always easy. Meanwhile, accidents are waiting to happen.

The responsibilities of car manufacturers

Duty to ensure vehicle safety

If you stop and think about it, car companies have a massive responsibility. They’re not just selling a product like a phone or a pair of shoes. They’re selling machines that are supposed to carry our families, keep us safe, and, quite literally, save lives in emergencies. With that responsibility comes a duty to get it right.

That means rigorous testing. It means constant quality checks during production. It doesn’t stop once the car hits the road, either. Even then, manufacturers should be on the lookout for problems and act swiftly if something’s wrong.

What happens when manufacturers fail?

Car companies don’t always do what’s right. Imagine this: a car company realizes one of its parts is faulty. Recalling millions of vehicles is expensive and bad for business, so they wait. They hope the problem doesn’t make the news before they can find a cheaper fix.

It’s horrifying, but it happens. When manufacturers delay or avoid action that could save lives, they’re being negligent. Negligence has consequences – legally, financially, and morally.

Remember the General Motors ignition switch crisis? GM discovered its ignition switches could cause cars to suddenly turn off, cutting power to airbags and other safety systems. They knew for years but did nothing until the fatalities started adding up. Lawsuits followed, and lives were lost.

Can a recalled vehicle manufacturer be held liable for a crash?

If a defective car causes an accident, can you hold the manufacturer accountable? It’s possible, but it depends on a lot of factors. Was the defect the root cause of the crash? Had the driver received a recall notice and ignored it?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Cases like these get complicated, which is why having a car accident lawyer on your side can make a big difference.

The role of a car accident lawyer

This is where lawyers step in. If you’ve been in an accident caused by a defective vehicle, a car accident lawyer can be your biggest ally. They dig deep. They’ll figure out if the defect was the reason for the crash or if the manufacturer knew about the issue and chose not to act.

It’s not easy going toe-to-toe with a car company. They’ve got resources. They’ve got legal teams who do everything in their power to dodge blame. Having your own lawyer ensures your story gets told and that manufacturers face the consequences if they’re at fault.

From negotiating settlements to taking the case to court, they can fight to get you compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and other losses.

What you can do if your car is recalled

Steps to take after receiving a recall notice

If you get a recall notice, don’t toss it in the junk mail pile. Here’s what you should do:

1. Find out what’s wrong. Use your VIN to check recall information on the NHTSA’s website or your car manufacturer’s website.
2. Act fast. Call your dealer or manufacturer and set up a repair appointment as soon as you can.
3. Stay safe. If the defect is serious, like a braking issue, don’t drive until it’s fixed, if possible.

When it’s too late

But what if you didn’t get the recall notice in time? Or worse, an accident happened before anyone caught the problem? That’s when it becomes crucial to speak with a car accident attorney who can help you figure out your options.

Common questions about car recalls and liability

“Am I responsible if I never fixed my recalled car?”

It depends. If you ignore an urgent recall, some fault might rest on you. But it’s possible that the manufacturer could still be held accountable.

“What if I bought a used car with a recall I didn’t know about?”

Used car dealers are supposed to fix recalls before selling vehicles, but it doesn’t always happen. If they failed to disclose the issue, they might share some liability.

“Can multiple parties be blamed for the same accident?”

Yes. Manufacturers, dealerships, and even drivers can share responsibility, depending on the circumstances.

Why you should work with a car accident lawyer

Navigating issues like these is messy. A lawyer knows the ropes and can help you untangle the blame to make sure you’re treated fairly. They can help you pursue compensation for damages, medical expenses, and lost wages and protect you when car companies or insurers try to lowball you. Acting quickly can make a big difference in the outcome.

Closing thoughts

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident caused by a vehicle defect, you’re probably wondering how to recover compensation for your injuries, damages, and other losses. At Martin & Helms, our dedicated and experienced car accident lawyers are ready to fight for justice on your behalf.

Call us today or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case. We proudly serve clients in Decatur, Athens, and Madison, as well as throughout the state. Don’t wait to get the help and guidance you need.