Auto Defects Leading To Car Accidents

When car accidents occur, most people assume another driver's negligence or recklessness is to blame. However, some of the most overlooked causes of car wrecks are mechanical problems, defective auto parts, and poorly designed vehicles.

Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident?
Call Our Car Accident Lawyers Today!
1-888-987-0005

Before putting them on the market, automakers must make every effort to double-check for potential flaws and make sure vehicles are safe. Unfortunately, there are times when auto manufacturers put their financial interests above public safety. When manufacturers cut corners and prioritize profits creating design defects or poor manufacturing practices, the consequences for drivers and other road users can be disastrous.

If you or someone you know has been catastrophically injured or killed in an accident that was caused by an auto defect, consult with a dedicated car accident lawyer from Miller Weisbrod Olesky, who can shed light on whether you have grounds to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

Our Auto Defect team is led by Clay Miller, a Personal Injury Board-Certified Trial Specialist. Fewer than 2% of all Texas attorneys are Board-Certified and even fewer are personal injury trial law specialists.

Check out our
million-dollar results

$2,000,000 settlement for driver that suffered a spinal cord injury when his defectively designed seat collapsed during a rear-end collision.

A safety or auto defect is defined as a problem with how a vehicle or vehicle part was designed or manufactured. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) uses two key qualifies to define a safety defect:

• The defect poses an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.
• The defect exists in a group of vehicles of the same design or manufacturer, or items of the same type and/or manufacturer.

There are generally three types of product defects, these include:

A vehicle design defect refers to a problem with how a vehicle part was designed. Some common examples of design defects in automobiles include:

• Poorly designed seats or roofs that improperly collapse during a car accident.
• Flaws in vehicle construction that might affect critical components such as the brakes and result in inadequate protection in crashes.
• Structural flaws that could disable airbags or power steering and compromise the safety of vehicle occupants.
• Flaws in the fuel system that can result in multiple fuel tank ruptures and fires.

The roof is one of the most crucial safety elements of a vehicle. In a crash or accident, it should protect drivers and passengers. Unfortunately, a poorly designed or manufactured roof may cave in or collapse under the pressure of a crash.

One of the most common causes of a car roof crash, also known as a roof collapse (crush), is a rollover accident. In fact, according to federal statistics, approximately 7,000 people are killed or severely injured each year in rollovers in which the roof is crushed. When the roof collapses during a rollover accident, it could cause victims to sustain permanently disabling injuries, such as to the brain and spine.

Additionally, when the force of the collapsing roof compresses the body, it can lead to severe crush injuries, damaging muscles, bones, and internal organs. In some cases, the intense pressure from a roof collapse can cause such extensive damage to limbs that victims may require surgical amputations.

Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle tips or flips onto its side during a crash. These types of accidents frequently occur due to high speeds, sharp turns, or abrupt maneuvers. While driver error or adverse weather conditions can contribute to rollovers, many of these accidents can be attributed to vehicle design flaws or component failures.

Common design defects in rollover accidents often involve issues with the vehicle’s stability, center of gravity, and the effectiveness of its safety features. For example, faulty suspension systems, wheels that fall off due to improper installation, failed brakes, and stuck accelerator pedals can all increase a vehicle’s risk of rolling over.

Although rollovers make up less than 3% of all passenger vehicle accidents, they account for approximately one-third of all vehicle occupant deaths. During a rollover, vehicle occupants are likely to be ejected from the vehicle and suffer catastrophic injuries, such as spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries, amputation, and internal organ damage.

All types of motor vehicles, including trucks, cars, and motorcycles, experience auto defects. Being aware of the most common types of dangerous vehicle defects can help drivers potentially prevent or reduce the likelihood of being involved in a severe or even fatal car accident.

A manufacturing defects occur when something goes wrong during the assembly of a car or when associated parts are manufactured.

Here are a few examples of manufacturing defects in vehicles:

• Improperly installed brakes discs
• Mistakes in the welding or attachment of components
• Tires made without all specified components
• Fuel lines that were not correctly secured

During a collision, the seat back is supposed to remain in an upright position. If it collapses, folds, or breaks, it can cause the seat's occupant to sustain serious injuries. Generally, seat backs fail due to poor design, improper assembly, or negligent installation.

In 2019, Ford recalled 550,000 trucks and SUVs because of defective seat backs. Likewise, Honda recalled 800,000 vehicles in 2018 due to a defect that caused the seat to tip forward. Seat back failures are particularly dangerous when vehicles are struck from the rear.

Following a rear-end collision, seat back defects can cause passengers to be thrown forward into the dashboard, windshield, or backward toward the rear of the vehicle. Common injuries associated with a failing seat back include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, amputation, and skull fractures.

Miller Weisbrod Olesky obtained $1.3 million in a defective auto products claim in a case of wrongful death caused by seat back failure. A contingent (percentage) fee charged on the successful recovery resulted in a fee of $520,000.00 and $80,000.00 in litigation expenses, which were reimbursed by the client out of the gross settlement amount.

Seat belts are one of the most important safety devices in your vehicle. Despite this, thousands of cars with defective seat belts continue to be introduced to American roads every year. When a seat belt doesn't snap quickly into place or unlatches during a collision, the consequences of what should have been a minor car accident can become deadly.

The NHTSA shares the following statistics related to seat belt defects:

• Approximately 3,000,000 injuries occur in the United States each year due to seat belt failure.
• In 2018 alone, over 54,000 cars were recalled due to the risk of seat belts releasing unexpectedly.
• 25,420 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in auto accidents in 2022; an estimated 50% of these fatalities involved individuals who were unrestrained.

There are various ways a driver or other vehicle occupant may be injured by a defective seat belt. For example, a seat belt may have been defectively manufactured if it's webbing frays prematurely or becomes easily torn.

Brakes are arguably the most crucial component in preventing car accidents. With regular maintenance and timely inspections, brakes typically work as they should. However, when car manufacturers fail to test or install the brake system properly, it can lead to malfunctions that compromise the safety of motorists, passengers, and other road users.

According to NHTSA, brake-related issues contribute to thousands of accidents every year. Between 2005 and 2007, faulty brakes were responsible for 10,000 vehicle-related critical car accidents.

Some of the most common issues that lead to brake failure include:

• Defective brake pads
• Brake fluid leaks
• Corroded brake lines
• Braking system design flaws
• A brake pedal that goes to the floor
• A failure of the brakes to engage or release

In 2018, Mitsubishi was forced to recall more than 170,000 cars after discovering that the vehicles were possibly equipped with corrosion-prone and improperly installed brake elements. When a manufacturer becomes aware of a defect that poses a safety risk to consumers but fails to issue a recall in a timely manner, they can be held liable for accidents resulting from the defect.

Defective tires are an incredibly common cause of auto defect accidents and can be caused by many factors, including subpar manufacturing and inadequate design. These defects can lead to sudden blowouts, increase the risk of hydroplaning, and result in a loss of vehicle control, as well as rollover accidents.

Unfortunately, despite regular checks and maintenance, a staggering 33,000 accidents occur each year due to defective tires. The following highlights the dangers associated with tire defects.

• In 2000, high rates of tire failure in specific Firestone tires on the Ford Explorer and similar vehicles led to the recall of over 14 million tires.
• The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported that defective tires were responsible for 4,350 car crashes in 2020, resulting in 85 fatalities and 700 injuries.
• A study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the NHTSA found that approximately 6% of large truck crashes are caused by tire issues.

Building safe tires is a complex process. In addition to manufacturer negligence, defective tires can also result from the mistakes of a tire company that installs the wrong tires or mounts them incorrectly. Drivers can mitigate the risks associated with tire defects by regularly inspecting tires for signs of belt separation, sidewall cracking, and inadequate tread depth.

All cars are required to come with airbags. While drivers hope that an airbag never needs to be deployed, they are a lifesaving technology that play a crucial role in minimizing the impact of a crash. When airbags are working correctly, they protect those involved in a motor vehicle collision from slamming into the steering wheel or other hard surfaces within the vehicle and becoming seriously injured.

However, if an auto defect prevents an airbag from deploying at the precise moment they are needed, it can put the occupants of the vehicle at significant risk. Unfortunately, until a car accident happens, it is often difficult, if not impossible to know that an airbag is flawed.

Faulty airbags are an incredibly common car manufacturing defect. In fact, vehicles of all makes and models are recalled each year due to improperly deploying airbags. Approximately 67 million of the Takata-brand airbags were recalled in 2024 due to the risk of those airbags exploding when deployed. According to the NHTSA, there have been 27 deaths and more than 400 injuries in the U.S. linked to Takata airbag problems.

Some of the most common causes of faulty airbags are:

• Inadequate quality control
• Flaws in the design or production process
• The presence of flawed deployment algorithms
• Incompatibility of the airbag system with the vehicle design

From seat belt failures to defective airbags, auto defects play a significant role in causing car accidents. If any of these defects cause an accident and you get hurt, seek the advice of a reputable Texas car accident attorney.

Throughout the country, defective fuel systems installed in cars have been linked to 15% of all vehicle fire deaths. Some of the most common fuel tank defects that endanger the lives of vehicle occupants include the following.

• Incorrect placement of fuel tanks and lines
• An automakers failure to adequately shield the tank with materials such as fuel cell barriers and anti-puncture shields
• Poor welding/installation that heightens the risk of rupture

When a fuel tank catches fire, it can cause drivers and passengers to suffer horrific burns, scarring, deep lacerations, nerve damage, amputations, and permanent disability. Injuries stemming from these types of accidents can also leave a person with significant psychological trauma, prevent them from ever working again, and require them to undergo years of intense physical therapy or prolonged medical care.

Proper warning labels are required whenever a motor vehicle or a component of the vehicle poses an inherent risk to consumers. If relevant parties fail to provide adequate warnings about the dangerous aspects of a vehicle, it could result in serious injuries or even fatalities.

The following are some examples of failure to warn defects:

• A manufacturer fails to inform consumers or issue a recall after becoming aware of a defect in the braking system.
• A car dealership fails to warn consumers of issues with a faulty ignition switch that causes the vehicle to shut off while driving.
• A tire manufacturer fails to disclose a weakness or deformity in the tire's sidewall that could result in sudden air loss and cause a dangerous blowout.

Not all defects are considered safety issues. For example, if a car has steering issues because a driver ignored a problem they should've addressed, it would typically not be considered a safety defect.

Defective vehicles and auto parts can result in injuries that can range from relatively minor to fatal. When a tire blows out, the ignition cuts out, or an airbag or seat belt fails, these defects jeopardize the safety of vehicle occupants and put other road users at risk.

In any motor vehicle accident, the risk of traumatic brain and head injuries is high. Safety mechanisms, such as airbags and seat belts, are designed to protect drivers and other vehicle occupants from the impact of a potential crash and reduce the likelihood of head trauma. If these protections fail, the consequences can be severe.

For example, if a design flaw in an airbag deployment system prevents it from inflating at the right moment during a crash, it could cause the driver's head to strike the steering wheel with significant force. This impact could lead to concussions, skull fractures, or traumatic brain injuries.

Similarly, if a seat belt is manufactured with a faulty latch mechanism, it could cause the belt to unlatch unexpectedly. This may result in the driver being ejected from the vehicle during a crash and significantly increase the risk of severe head trauma or brain injuries.

Here are some key statistics regarding traumatic head and brain injuries:

• Motor vehicle crashes caused an estimated 17% of traumatic brain injury-related deaths.
• Motor vehicle accidents were the third leading cause of TBI-related deaths in 2016 and 2017.
• The rates of TBI-related emergency department visits due to car wrecks were highest among 15-24-year-olds.

In the event of a car accident, auto defects such as poorly designed headrests, faulty seat belts, and defective airbags can lead to spinal cord injuries (SCI). For example, if a vehicle experiences a sudden brake failure due to a defect in the braking system, the driver may be unable to stop in time to avoid a collision.

When the impact occurs, the driver's head can be violently thrown forward. The abrupt movement can result in hyperextension or compression of the neck, potentially damaging the spinal cord. Such injuries can cause complete (full) or incomplete (partial) paralysis. Due to the profound and often permanent nature of SCIs, victims may face lifelong medical expenses and require ongoing rehabilitation.

Statistics on spinal cord injuries in car accidents:

• According to data collected between 2015 and 2019 by Statista, vehicle accidents (38.2%) are the most common cause of spinal cord injury in the United States.
• Around 25% of traumatic spinal cord injuries occur due to alcohol use.
• In the U.S., motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in younger people, whereas falls are the leading cause of SCI for those aged 65 or older.

Given the flammability of gasoline cars, any collision runs the risk of a fire or explosion. This can leave drivers and other vehicle occupants with severe burn injuries, which may require emergency medical treatment, extensive wound care, and surgery for skin grafts.

Severe burn injuries are most common when a poorly designed fuel system fails after a crash and causes leaking fluid to ignite. Another example of auto defects that can cause burn injuries is malfunctioning electrical systems.

If the wiring insulation is improperly installed, it can expose bare wires, leading to short circuits. These shorts can ignite nearby flammable materials and cause fires that result in severe burn injuries.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shares the following statistics on burn injuries:

• In 2018, 212,500 vehicle fires resulted in 560 fatalities and 1,500 injuries.
• Mechanical failures or malfunctions are the leading causes of vehicle fires.
• Vehicle fires resulted in 4.5 times more deaths than nonresidential structure fires and 1.6 times more fatalities than apartment fires.

Losing a limb in a car accident is an incredibly traumatic event that can reduce a victim's quality of life in an instant. There are two ways that car accidents can lead to amputations.

• In some cases, a traumatic force causes a limb (arm or leg) or a digit (finger or toe) to be violently severed from a car occupant's body.
• Other car accident victims may undergo amputation of limbs when a body part is so crushed and damaged in the wreck that it has to be surgically removed.

During a rollover accident, if a vehicle's roof is poorly designed or manufactured, it can collapse under the weight and impact of the crash. When the roof collapses, it can trap a vehicle occupant's leg between the roof and other parts of the vehicle. The crushing force can tear muscles and destroy blood vessels, cutting off circulation to the trapped limb. If blood flow is restricted for too long, the leg may require surgical amputation.

Statistics on loss of limb injuries:

• Traumatic amputations, most often caused by car, truck, or motorcycle accidents, account for an estimated 45% of limbs lost annually.
• During their lifetime, limb loss patients can expect to pay an estimated $500,000 in healthcare costs alone.
• According to the National Limb Loss Information Center, approximately 2.3 million people in the United States are living with limb amputations.

Some defects, like faulty brakes, are more dangerous than others and may be responsible for causing serious accidents that result in fatalities. Defects like airbags that deploy when they shouldn't are, on the other hand, typically responsible for exposing vehicle occupants to an increased risk of injury.

The first entity that may come to mind when an auto defect causes a car accident is the automaker or car manufacturer. However, depending on the facts in your case, one or more individuals and/or entities could be held liable for your auto defect accident-related injuries and other losses.

Parties that you may be able to bring a product claim against after an accident caused by a defective vehicle or auto part may include:

• The manufacturer of the vehicle or an auto part (i.e., tires, brakes, etc.) can be held liable if the defect is traced back to an issue that occurred during the production or assembly of the automobile or auto parts.
• The car or auto part designer can be liable for a defect if the issue stems from a problem with the product's design.
• The car dealership responsible for selling the defective vehicle can be held liable if they fail to properly inspect the car and repair the defect that was subject to a recall or accident.
• The company that shipped the car to the dealership or to you directly can be liable for a defect if the product is damaged while it is in their possession.
• The auto mechanic or shop can be held liable for knowingly or recklessly installing a defective auto part or failing to perform an appropriate repair.
• A tire shop that puts an older tire or recalled tire on a vehicle during a tire change.
• Another driver can be liable for an accident caused by an auto defect if they knew about it but did not take the steps to fix it.

When an accident happens due to an auto defect, many victims find it hard to prove liability, as establishing a direct link between the defect and the accident can be complex. A car accident attorney can provide invaluable assistance by gathering critical evidence and consulting with experts to clearly demonstrate how an auto defect contributed to the crash.

After a crash caused by a vehicle defect, victims may face significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Our car accident lawyers at Miller Weisbrod Olesky know how important it is for our clients to recover the compensation they need to recover from their injuries and losses. We are committed to ensuring accident victims receive the financial support they need to begin rebuilding their lives.

After we demonstrate the appropriate party's liability, we'll fight to secure compensation on your behalf in a variety of areas, including:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Property damage
• Lost wages or diminished future income
• Physical pain and emotional suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Disability and Physical Impairment
• Disfigurement
• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium
• All other related damages

Punitive damages are occasionally awarded in cases where the at-fault party's actions were found to be especially reckless or negligent. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the at-fault for their actions and deter others from similar conduct in the future.

A skilled car accident attorney can accurately assess the value of your claim and explain what you may be entitled to recover.

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16.003

Texas imposes a statute of limitations, which means you have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit. In most car accident cases, this period is two years from the date of the accident. However, when the individual hurt in an accident is a minor, the SOL is tolled or paused until their 18th birthday. This means that is a minor is injured and wants to make a claim, they have until their 20th birthday to file a claim.

A statute of repose, or a “nonclaim statute,” specifies a window from the date a product is sold during which an individual can file a product liability claim against a manufacturer or distributor. In Texas, the statute of repose that applies to most products is 15 years. Once 15 years have passed from the date the product was first sold, claims regarding defects or injuries related to that product are generally barred. However, the statute of repose may go beyond 15 years in cases where the manufacturer or seller expressly warrants that a product’s use life is longer than 15 years.

Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to get accurate information about how the statute of limitations and statute of repose may apply to your unique case.

At Miller Weisbrod Olesky, we understand how complex building an auto defect claim can be. Although navigating this process can be challenging, the good news is you don't have to do it alone. We are an established firm with decades of combined experience handling all types of personal injury claims.

Our car accident lawyers handle all auto defect lawsuits on a contingent fee basis, which means you NEVER have to worry about any upfront legal costs or fees unless/until we secure a favorable outcome in your case. Your first consultation is free, so call us today at 888-987-0005 or fill out our online request form to learn more about your rights and options.

---

Clay is regularly invited to speak to Trial Lawyer Groups around Houston and across the state of Texas on the topics of motor vehicle accident laws, trial tactics and techniques, and how to prepare evidence and a winning legal strategy in Car Accident Cases throughout Texas. Clay was the featured speaker for the Texas Trial Lawyers Association on the new changes to trucking laws passed by the state of Texas.

Our car accident legal team includes Josh Birmingham, who is currently on the Dallas Trial Lawyers Board of Directors and served as the president of the Mesquite Bar Association for four years. Josh was named Thomson Reuters | Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2016 and 2017.

We also have on our team Michael Orth, a board certified personal injury trial lawyer who has spent the last decade representing injured Texans and their families. Michael’s success in scores of personal injury cases across federal and state courtrooms has earned him the coveted Board Certification in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Led by a formidable legal team with an extraordinary record of court verdicts and settlements in car accident cases, Miller Weisbrod Olesky is regularly recognized by the US News and World Report as one of the top injury law firms in the United States.