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Auto Recalls and Product Liability for Car Manufacturers

Auto Recalls and Product Liability for Car Manufacturers

 

Auto Recalls and Product Liability for Car Manufacturers

Charlotte, NC Attorney

Most people ignore notices that they receive announcing a recall by an automobile maker due to a defect it discovered. These recalls have increased in frequency in the last few years. ABC News indicates that more vehicles were recalled in 2014 than in any other year before that, and a total of 550 recall notices were issued by carmakers for more than fifty million vehicles during that year. During the first eight months of 2015, carmakers conducted nearly 500 different campaigns to recall defective cars, which affected over 32.4 million vehicles. This is why car owners have to be vigilant in being on the lookout for recall notices, because the result of doing otherwise may be serious injuries or even death.

Takata Recall

One of the most significant of these recalls that occurred in 2015 involves the Takata airbags. Takata is a Japanese car parts manufacturer, which, in 2015, issued one of the largest recalls in history for making defective airbags. The company conducted a recall campaign for its airbags that affected approximately 34 million vehicles. The defect in the Takata airbags made them vulnerable to exploding upon impact, thereafter causing shrapnel to cause significant bodily injuries to drivers and passengers. Several individuals in the U.S. have died or sustained serious injuries because of these defective airbags. Multiple makes and models are affected, including cars manufactured by Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chrysler, Honda, and others.

A South Carolina family has filed a wrongful death suit against Takata for the 2006 death of Joel Knight. Knight was driving home in his 2006 Ford Ranger when he struck a cow in the road, causing his air bag to be deployed. Autopsy reports indicated that a large metal shrapnel from the airbag struck him in the neck, severing his spinal cord and causing his death.

Products Liability

Car owners usually receive a recall notice in the mail if there is a defect in their automobiles. These notices provide instructions on what to do next, including where repairs may be made and how those repairs will be paid for. Recall information is also readily available from the National Transportation Safety Board’s SaferCar.gov site, which allows users to search for a vehicle’s VIN number to see if any recalls apply.

However, there are instances in which a vehicle defect is not discovered and no recall is issued. If this occurs, and people have no notice of the defect, then accidents may occur that could not have been foreseen. One of two things may occur: either the defect directly causes the vehicle crash, or the defect worsens injuries resulting from the crash. If a driver or passenger sustains injuries as a result, then he or she may be able to obtain compensation for those injuries from the vehicle or vehicle part manufacturer, the vehicle or vehicle part distributor, or the car dealer. You should seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, such as Justin Bice of the law firm of Bice Law, LLC in North or South Carolina, to help you navigate the complex process of filing suit and proving liability.

Bice Law, LLC can help you seek compensation for your injuries caused by defective products. Contact us today for a free initial consultation by calling our toll-free number at 877-BICE-877 or by submitting our online form. Consulting an attorney as early as possible in your case can make an impact as to achieving positive outcomes, so do not hesitate to contact us today.

Contact the Personal Injury Law Firm of Bice Law

The personal injury firm of Bice Law will examine your case to determine the type and amount of damages that your injury warrants, including payments for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and any permanent disability.  We’ll determine whether an out-of-court settlement or trial is the best strategy to obtain maximum benefits for you or your family. If you have suffered injury or harm because of someone else’s actions, take the first step to protect your legal rights – contact the personal injury firm of Bice Law serving both North and South Carolina. You only have a limited time after your injury to file a claim, so act quickly.  Call 877-BICE-877 today or submit an online request  to get a free consultation with a  personal injury attorney. We serve families across both North Carolina and South Carolina.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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