When a car crash occurs, people often point the finger at the person behind the wheel. However, driver error is not always to blame. Car defects have catastrophic consequences on the road — but contacting a defective car attorney may help you take back control.

Discover Roman & Boock’s recommendations for what to do when a defect causes a car crash.

The Categories of Car Defects

Defects come in all shapes and severities. Some are easy to spot, but others go unnoticed until it’s too late. Our product liability lawyers have seen severe injuries occurring from mechanical defects, electrical failures and structural weaknesses.

In product liability law, defects fall into three categories:

• Design Defects. Flaws in a vehicle’s design may make it unreasonably dangerous to operate, even under normal conditions. For example, the design for a fuel tank may be unsafe, making it prone to exploding during a crash.
• Manufacturing Defects. Car defects may emerge during production, when manufacturers deviate from the vehicle’s intended design. For example, a manufacturer may build a car’s roof with subpar materials, leading it to cave in when it rolls over.
• Marketing Defects. These defects occur when a manufacturer fails to provide warnings or instructions about a known danger of the vehicle. For example, a manufacturer who fails to warn about the dangers of airbags may lead to fatal injuries.

The Next Steps

If you’ve been in an accident that you cannot explain, a defect may be to blame. Our product liability lawyers recommend that you take the following steps after your crash:

1. Prioritize Your Wellbeing

First and foremost, victims of a car crash should focus on getting help. We recommend that all parties involved seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Injuries caused by a crash may not be immediately apparent, so it’s better to err on the side of caution.

Your visit will provide detailed records of your injuries, treatment plan and associated medical expenses. These medical documents will prove useful for a defective car attorney later on.

2. Document the Incident

In personal injury cases, the burden of proof falls on the plaintiff, or the person filing the lawsuit. As such, all evidence should be preserved from the time of the crash. Gather all photos, videos and documentation that may be relevant.

Additionally, we advise collecting documentation related to car defects, such as purchase receipts, maintenance records and repair invoices. Check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website to identify any open recalls on your vehicle.

3.File Your Reports

Filing the right reports after a car crash is a critical step to protecting your health, rights and potential claim.

We recommend that you start by filing a police report — even if the accident is minor. This report will provide a documented account of the crash site, involved parties, potential causes and other details that may fade over time. A defective car attorney will use these insights to build your case.

If a defect caused your crash, reports must also be submitted to the NHTSA, the vehicle manufacturer and the manufacturer of the defective part.

4. Contact Our Product Liability Lawyers

Product liability lawyers from Roman & Boock will be your biggest asset after an accident. With decades of experience, we’re well-equipped to tackle both product liability and car crash cases in court.

In your time of need, our team will step in to help you gather evidence, navigate complex legal processes and hold all responsible parties accountable. By the end, we’ll secure maximum compensation for your case.

Regain control after a crash caused by car defects. Contact Roman & Boock today for a free case evaluation.