Key Takeaways
- Auto product liability in Portland combines car accident and product liability law for crashes caused by vehicle defects rather than human error.
- Auto product liability claims are filed against the product manufacturer, and claimants sometimes form a class to bring a class action lawsuit.
- GM faced claims over faulty ignition switches in thousands of its vehicles that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.
- Common recall hazards include fire risks from leaky fuel tanks or faulty wiring, seatbelt defects, sudden power steering loss and brake defects.
- Cases usually involve design defects inherent in a vehicle or component, or manufacturing defects that perfect manufacturing could have prevented.
In this article
Mechanical Defects and Auto Recalls
Auto product liability is an area of law that melds elements of car accident and product liability laws in Portland. In some cases, car accidents are not caused by human error (which is most common) but rather caused by some type of defect or oversight in the vehicle’s design. Lately, GM has been in the spotlight for faulty ignition switches in thousands of its vehicles that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. If you or a loved one was injured in a similar incident, we invite you to contact our firm to tell us about your case.
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Who Are Auto Product Liability Claims Filed Against?
Auto product liability claims are filed against the product manufacturer. When claims started to surface surrounding the ignition switch defect accidents, GM took the heat. These types of cases typically involve multiple vehicles, hence multiple claimants. Sometimes claimants will form a class and file a class action lawsuit against a vehicle manufacturer in hopes of securing compensation for harm caused by the defects.
“At Paulson Coletti, ‘liberty and justice for all’ is more than just a phrase – it is our mandate. Our team of trial lawyers is driven to pursue justice for the injured, ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable. Whether your case settles or goes to trial, you can trust our Oregon personal injury lawyers to be the legal advocates you need so your voice can be heard.”
What Are Common Hazards that Prompt Auto Recalls?
Any number of things can go wrong when a vehicle is being designed or manufactured. Some common causes for auto recalls are hazards such as:
- Fire Hazards
Leaky and misplaced fuel tanks, faulty wiring, and other defects can pose a fire hazard and result in auto recalls. - Seatbelt Defects
Seatbelts can latch improperly or easily become unlatched while a vehicle is in motion. In the event of a faulty seatbelt or seatbelt latch, a vehicle can be recalled. - Power Steering / Crash Risk
Sudden loss of electric power steering poses a serious accident risk to drivers. Somewhat recently, GM recalled 81,000 vehicles for this very defect. - Brake Defects
Faulty brake pads, brake fluid, and other brake components can fail and pose a serious accident risk to drivers.
Defects in Design & Manufacturing Defects
Auto product liability cases usually fall into one of two categories – defects in design and manufacturing defects. The former describes a defect that is inherent in the design of the vehicle or vehicle component, while the latter results in a defect that could have been prevented by perfect manufacturing.
“Most cases settle, but each of our cases is prepared as if it’s going to trial. The insurance companies know it and so do the defense lawyers defending them. That’s why we get such great results for our clients.”
Contacting the Portland Injury Lawyers at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC
If you were involved in an accident you believe was caused by a defective vehicle, contact a Portland car accident attorney at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC. We have been voted Best Law Firms by US News in personal injury as well as product liability, and Attorney John Coletti was named “Lawyer of the Year” in product liability cases. Our firm is an authority in these types of cases, so contact us to learn more about how we can help you.
Portland Auto Product Liability Attorney
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