What Happens When a Defective Car Part Causes an Accident?

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Getting behind the wheel every day is something most drivers take for granted. Driving to work, school, or the store is just routine. But when a defective car part causes an accident, that routine trip can turn into a nightmare in a matter of seconds.

The worst part? The driver probably did nothing wrong.

Victims who are injured after a crash caused by faulty parts are often left wondering who is liable—and how they can even begin filing accident compensation claims. Talking to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible can drastically change the outcome of a claim. Pursuing justice isn’t always easy—but it is possible.

Here’s what you should know:

1. How Common Are Defective Car Part Accidents?
2. Which Parts Cause the Most Crashes?
3. Who Is Liable — And How Is It Proven?
4. How To Build a Strong Accident Compensation Claim
5. What Compensation Can Victims Recover?
6. What To Do When It Happens To You

How Common Are Defective Car Part Accidents?

It may be surprising to you. Despite what many people think, defective car parts are responsible for thousands of crashes each year. Per NHTSA data, mechanical failures lead to roughly 44,000 crashes annually. That’s already alarming, but that number doesn’t even account for crashes in which the defective part was never identified.

And it gets worse. Failed or degraded tires account for 43% of mechanical failure crashes each year, while brake defects and malfunctions account for another 25%. Millions of vehicles get recalled every year for defective parts. But many defective car parts will never be on a recall list. A vehicle could be on the road right now with a hidden defect the driver is completely unaware of.

Which Parts Cause the Most Crashes?

Dangerous car parts aren’t created equal. Some are naturally riskier than others. Here are some of the most common defective vehicle parts that cause serious car crashes:

• Tires — Blowouts can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles suddenly and violently while moving at high speeds
• Brakes — Brake failure can prevent a driver from being able to react in time to avoid a collision
• Airbags — Airbags can fail to deploy when they should—or they can deploy with too much force
• Accelerators — A stuck accelerator removes the ability to slow down or stop the vehicle
• Steering systems — A locked steering column can leave a driver unable to control their vehicle
• Seat belts — Improper latches can cause a driver or passenger to be violently thrown around inside the vehicle during impact
• Windshield wipers — Failure during inclement weather can eliminate forward visibility entirely

Some defects develop gradually, with warning signs along the way. Others occur without warning. Drivers aren’t always able to do much about defective vehicle parts before they cause an accident. That’s why it’s up to someone else to take accountability—and pay.

Who Is Liable — And How Is It Proven?

This is where it gets interesting. In most defective car part accidents, liability doesn’t end with one single party. Often, multiple parties share responsibility for what happened:

• The manufacturer — Sometimes parts are built wrong from the start—or there may be a design flaw
• The retailer or distributor — If a retailer knows about a defect but sells the product anyway, they can be held liable
• Mechanics — If a mechanic installs the wrong part or neglects to spot an obvious issue, they can be held liable
• The vehicle owner — Vehicle owners who ignore recall notices can sometimes be held responsible as well

Where did the breakdown occur in the chain of distribution? Product liability laws can help answer that question. There are three different types of liability that can be established in defective car part accident cases:

1. Negligence — Someone in the distribution chain knew about the defect but failed to take care of it
2. Strict liability — A defective part directly caused the crash and the responsible party can be held liable—regardless of intention
3. Breach of warranty — By law, manufacturers must stand by their products. If they don’t, they can be held liable

Proving a claim will require evidence, and that evidence needs to be collected from the accident scene right away. That includes the vehicle itself.

How To Build a Strong Accident Compensation Claim

The process for filing accident compensation claims is different after a defective part crash.

Here’s why: When part defects cause a crash, the liable party is more than just another driver. It could be a large corporation with a team of lawyers trying to deny the claim at every turn. That’s exactly why having legal help matters.

An experienced attorney can help prove a defective car part caused the accident—and go after the responsible party for the largest settlement possible. Defective part accident compensation claims are much more complex than most car insurance claims. Building a strong case requires someone who knows how.

Building a strong claim starts with these steps:

• Don’t let anyone tamper with the vehicle — Whatever part failed and caused the crash will need to be examined by experts
• Check NHTSA recall databases — Find out if the manufacturer ever officially recalled the part
• Document every injury — Every medical record received should be used to paint a full picture of the injuries
• Gather witness information — Anyone who was present at the accident scene should be interviewed
• Hire an accident reconstructionist — These experts can prove to insurers and courts that the accident was caused by a part defect

Each of these steps builds the claim. Without them, an insurance company or manufacturer will fight the claim tooth and nail.

What Compensation Can Victims Recover?

Nearly every cost incurred by the victim can be factored into accident compensation claims. Medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering—if it was caused by the accident, it should be recoverable.

That includes:

• Past and future medical expenses related to the accident
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity going forward
• Property damage to the vehicle
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages if negligence can be proven against the manufacturer

Each case is different. Some accident compensation claims can be worth hundreds of thousands—even millions of dollars. Typically, the more serious the injuries, the higher the case value. However, tying an accident to a specific product defect—especially one that is currently under a manufacturer recall—gives the claim a much stronger foundation to build on.

What To Do When It Happens To You

Time is not a friend here. Like all accident compensation claims, statutes of limitations exist. There is a limited window to take legal action. Waiting too long can mean losing the ability to claim compensation entirely.

Don’t wait.

If a defective car part caused the accident, there is every right to fight and demand accountability from whoever is responsible. That means acting quickly, preserving evidence, and getting experienced legal help in the corner as soon as possible.

The defective part caused the accident. Now it’s time for someone else to pay for it.