But I Can’t Sue the Car Itself!

Driver distraction or other negligence isn’t always to blame for a car crash. Sometimes other factors come into play, and no matter how careful the drivers involved are, an accident happens anyway. It can be weather, improper signage, defective traffic signals, bad roads, or vehicle defects that lead to a crash.

And in some such crashes, people get hurt. Sometimes badly. Do these victims have any recourse?

They might.

Defective Vehicles or Design

In some cases, a vehicle may have some defect, such as a faulty connection or bad tires, which can cause a driver to lose control while the vehicle is in motion. Today’s automobiles have an ever-increasingly complicated set of computerized controls under the hood. While this has led to a general increase in vehicle safety, it can often mean there is more to go wrong.

Often, a manufacturing defect in one of the car’s systems can cause a failure that leads to a crash. If someone is injured in such a crash, his or her no-fault insurance may not cover all the resulting losses. In that case, the victim may need to pursue legal action in order to get compensation for his or her injuries.

Faulty Repairs

If a vehicle was repaired improperly, or if inferior parts were used, a crash may result from vehicle failure. Additionally, inferior repairs can cause someone to be hurt during a crash that might not have otherwise resulted in injury.

In cases where a vehicle, rather than a driver, caused a crash or caused injury during a crash, what can you do? Depending on the circumstance, you may be able to trace a car crash to negligence by:

• Auto manufacturers
• Parts manufacturers
• Vehicle repair technicians

Essentially, if a vehicle is to blame for your injuries, it takes a bit of detective work to determine where the negligence lies. No, you can’t sue the car, but an experienced car accident lawyer can help you discover who is to blame for your injuries.