New Brunswick Product Liability Lawyers Examine the Recent Ford Recalls
When a specific part on a vehicle or another consumer product is determined to pose a risk to consumers, either because it was poorly designed or not manufactured according to its design specifications, the manufacturer must issue a recall for that part. When a product is recalled, owners of that product may have it repaired or replaced at no charge. If a manufacturer does not voluntarily issue a recall for a safety issue, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may require it to issue one.
In March 2017, Ford Motors issued two separate recalls for vehicles in its line. Some 230,000 vehicles were recalled because of poor coolant circulation in the 1.6 liter GTDI engines that could lead to overheating and fires. To date, at least 29 vehicles have experienced fires as a result of the defect. Ford also expanded an earlier recall was for a faulty door latch mechanism that impacted vehicle doors’ ability to close securely, putting drivers at risk of their doors opening while driving. The expanded safety recall includes an additional 211,000 vehicles. Vehicle owners affected by the Ford recalls are advised to take their vehicles to their local dealership immediately to get the problem fixed.
Product manufacturers, distributors, and retailers may be held liable for any damages victims suffer from injuries caused by using the products as directed. Individuals who are injured because of product malfunctions can seek compensation for their damages through product liability claims.
Liability for Damages Caused by Auto Defects
In many cases, the defective product’s manufacturer is liable for any damages suffered by a victim injured by its malfunction. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes, the product’s distributor or retailer may be held liable for the victim’s damages. In other cases, more than one party may be liable.
The circumstances that led to the injury will typically determine which party is liable. When a manufacturer issues a recall for a vehicle and dealers with the affected vehicle in their inventory fail to have the problem corrected in those vehicles, the dealer may be liable for any damages resulting from a buyer’s injury. Issuing a recall does not mean that a manufacturer cannot be held liable for any damages resulting from that particular safety problem, nor does it mean the manufacturer is automatically liable in all specific instances of malfunction.
Filing a Product Liability Claim
A product liability claim requires the same elements as any other personal injury claim. There must be evidence to demonstrate that the claimant was injured because of a specific act of negligence on the part of another party. In product liability claims for auto defects, claimants must show that their specific vehicles malfunctioned and caused them to be injured, necessitating their claims for specific monetary damages. Evidence can include photographs of the accident, documentation of lost wages and medical bills, witness testimonies, and any documentation showing how the injury negatively impacted the claimant’s quality of life.
New Brunswick Product Liability Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr Help Those Injured Due to Auto Defects Pursue Compensation
If you have been injured in an accident because of a vehicle malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages through a product liability claim. To discuss your case in greater detail, complete our online form or call 877-249-4600 to arrange a free consultation with an experienced New Brunswick product liability lawyer at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr. We are located in Highland Park and proudly serve clients from South River, Edison, New Brunswick, Somerset, Sayreville, Metuchen, South Plainfield, Fords, East Brunswick, Middlesex, Old Bridge, Iselin, Bound Brook, and Colonia.
