About 42,000 people were killed and almost 3 million more were injured on America’s highways in 2002, according to a Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) report. Most accidents are caused by driver error, but thousands of accidents are directly caused by mechanical defects in the design, manufacturing, and repair/maintenance of the vehicle. Even if mechanical problems with a vehicle don’t cause an accident, they can lead to more severe injuries and a higher risk of death.

Mechanical defects are more common than the average person may think. In one month between May 14 and June 14, 2005 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) posted 38 vehicle recalls for various manufacturing defects. The 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse was issued a recall because “certain passenger vehicles may have been fitted with a defective brake booster assembly” leading to total brake failure. Another recall was announced for several Ford truck models for an improperly-fitted fuel line that could come loose. When the fuel line disconnects the engine stalls and gasoline begins to leak, which could result in a fire “in the presence of an ignition source” – or in the case of an accident.

There are several major components that, if they failed, could directly cause an accident with catastrophic results including the:

Defects and failure of several other components can increase the severity of injury and the risk of death including the:

Defects are not limited to the manufacturing process. During repairs, defective or sub-standard parts could be installed in the vehicle, or improperly installed. Technicians may be untrained or under-trained for certain repairs, and corners may be cut in order to keep the final cost to the customer or insurance company down. Even the simplest of mistakes like a loose clip on a brake or fuel line can have serious consequences.

If you are involved in an accident caused or made worse by mechanical defects and system failures, it is important that learn what your rights are and how to protect them. Contact the personal injury lawyers at Jim S. Adler & Associates to find out what your next move is. Depending on the severity of your accident, you could be facing high medical bills and months of lost work, not to mention long-term pain and suffering for you and your family. You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s negligence. At Jim S. Adler & Associates, we make sure you get the full compensation settlement that you deserve.

Contact us right now for a free case review.