Vehicles must pass strict safety tests before they hit the consumer market. Unfortunately, defects still happen. In fact, according to Statista, there were nearly 39 million vehicle recalls in 2019 alone.
If you sustained an injury due to a vehicle defect, then you may be entitled to compensation. A Scottsdale personal-injury lawyer from the Rudolph & Hammond Law Firm can evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim.
You may be entitled to compensation to pay for lost income, health-care bills and other damages. Schedule a free initial consultation today by calling 480-951-9700.
In the meantime, read on to learn more about vehicle recalls:
What is a vehicle safety recall?
There are certain safety and industry standards with which every car part must comply. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, recalls happen when there are obvious or possible problems with a car part.
In most cases, manufacturers identify the hazard and issue the recall on their own. It is rare for industry regulators to enforce recalls, but the NHTSA or the FDA will not hesitate to request a recall if the manufacturer fails to do so. Companies must send recall alerts to all owners and fix the issue or provide a replacement for free.
What kinds of defects require a recall?
Modern vehicles are feats of engineering. They consist of many parts that must function seamlessly together.
If just one part is defective, the car may be unsafe to drive. Recalls do not occur for age-related deterioration or isolated incidences; they only happen when the defect is dangerous and affects many consumers. Examples include seatbelt malfunctions, unsafe airbags and leaking pipes.
My vehicle was recalled – now what?
If you receive a recall alert, it is critical that you take it seriously and respond immediately. Recalls only happen if there is inherent risk to your safety, so you should not ignore them. The manufacturer will send recall guidelines for you to follow, but if you already used your own money to fix the defect, then you should claim those costs from the manufacturer.
Manufacturers have three choices:
- They can repair the defect;
- They can replace the part entirely;
- Or they can refund consumers.
The instructions you receive will depend on the nature of the problem and how easy it is to fix. Though rare, some recalled vehicles must be replaced entirely.
If you were injured in a crash due to a vehicle defect, contact the Rudolph & Hammond Law Firm. A Scottsdale car accident attorney can gather evidence, structure your claim, handle settlement negotiations and litigate your case if it goes to trial.
We have more than 30 years of combined experience protecting the rights of the injured. Call 480-951-9700 today to schedule a free initial consultation and discuss your legal options.