Lawsuits Against Car Manufacturers

Automakers are responsible for the safety of their vehicles, encompassing all internal and external car components. Nonetheless, defective products will slip through the cracks during production, endangering drivers and laying the groundwork for catastrophic events.

For more than four decades, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. has represented car injury victims. Our team understands how an injury impacts your life, and our primary goal is to provide you with unwavering support. Call us today for your free consultation.

How Our Chicago Product Liability Lawyer Can Help with Your Car Manufacturer Lawsuit

Our track record speaks for itself. We have successfully recovered over $2.5 billion for our clients, with more than 350 verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million. Our approach is simple: we listen and help, treating every client and their case with the care and compassion they deserve.

While previous awards do not guarantee future similar outcomes, our diverse team of attorneys will use their experience and resources to fight for you by:

• Investigating the Crash – A thorough examination of the evidence, including defective parts and how a possible defect caused the collision, is critical to bringing a successful claim. Witness testimony, surveillance footage, and police reports support your claim and reveal the identity of the liable party. We will also assess any warranty coverage on your car for potential violations or breaches.
• Building Your Claim – Product liability claims can be complex and require extensive research, documentation, and information to accurately understand and argue the core issues and defects of the failed part or vehicle. Collaboration with experts like engineers, crash reconstructionists, and medical professionals can uncover hidden factors that contributed to the collision or provide details about the severity of your injuries. By working with specialists, we can strengthen your case and show how negligence or defective products played a crucial role in causing you harm.
• Assigning Fair Value – Understanding the full scope of your injury may be difficult given its multifaceted nature. Your attorney can help you understand and determine a fair monetary value that addresses the long-term impact of your injury. They will also factor in future medical expenses, loss of earning potential, and any emotional suffering to ensure the settlement covers the full scope of your losses.
• Negotiating a Settlement – We understand dealing with urgent expenses after a collision can be daunting. We push for fair settlements from responsible parties and work to prevent unnecessary delays that could detract from a potential payout. Our negotiation strategy is to argue for the compensation you deserve without compromising your immediate needs. We’ll leverage our experience and the strength of your evidence to negotiate the best possible outcome.
• Litigating in Court – Most law firms avoid the courtroom, but at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., each one of our attorneys is a top-notch litigator. We are a proud trial firm and would happily put those skills to work if we can’t reach an appropriate settlement. We will argue for the compensation you need to move forward if we can’t agree outside of the courtroom. In trial, our attorneys will emphasize the other party’s negligence or fault and counter any attempts to deflect responsibility. We aim to seek the maximum possible compensation that addresses your injuries and losses and holds the responsible parties accountable.

When Can a Car Manufacturer Be Held Responsible for a Car Crash?

Car manufacturers face responsibility when their negligence or product defects significantly contribute to a car collision. There must be a direct link between the defective product and a collision and subsequent injuries or fatalities to prove a manufacturer’s liability.

There are several types of defects, including:

• Design Defects – Design defects occur when an inherent flaw makes the product or part dangerous. Design defects, including unstable rollover tendencies or faulty brakes, can impact entire product lines, affecting all automobiles utilizing that design.
• Manufacturing Defects – Manufacturing defects arise during production, resulting in individual vehicles deviating from the intended design and functional capacity due to assembly errors or substandard materials. Ideally, the manufacturers’ quality control catches these deviations before the cars reach a dealership or a driver, but lapses in oversight lead to the distribution of affected vehicles.
• Warning Defects – Car manufacturers must warn consumers about known risks associated with their products. Failure to provide adequate warnings or instructions regarding how to avoid potential hazards can render a manufacturer liable for injuries resulting from these undisclosed risks.

Examples of Defective Vehicles and Systems that Lead to Crashes and Injuries

Unfortunately, there are many examples of defective vehicles and systems that pose risks to drivers and potentially cause collisions and painful injuries, including:

• Kia and Hyundai Vehicles – Recent recalls by Kia and Hyundai highlight issues such as engine fires and faulty brake systems, which pose significant safety risks to consumers. This recall includes 3 million cars, leading the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue safety warnings to car owners.
• General Motors – Defective ignition switches in General Motors vehicles prevented airbag deployment while driving, affecting over 2 million cars across numerous makes and models.
• Unintended Acceleration – Incidents involving unintended acceleration, such as those seen in specific Toyota models, can result in loss of control and catastrophic crashes. The increased speed can worsen possible injuries and cause further vehicle damage.
• Tire Blowouts – Defective tires, like those recalled by Continental, General, and Barum, can lead to sudden blowouts, causing affected vehicles to lose stability and veer off the road.
• Brake Failures – Malfunctioning brake systems can impair a driver’s ability to quickly stop or slow down due to inadequate stopping power or ineffective hydraulic systems, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions and other crashes.
• Rollover Crashes – Certain vehicles with poor suspension systems or inadequate rollover protection are prone to rollover collisions, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
• Defects with Safety Equipment – Issues with safety equipment, such as defective airbags or seat belts, can exacerbate injuries in car accidents rather than mitigate them, failing to protect drivers when needed.

Contact Our Chicago Car Crash Attorneys for a Free Consultation

If you suspect your vehicle contains a defective product, do not wait to contact an attorney. Otherwise, you may miss the deadline that preserves your right to pursue compensation in court. When you call Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., you reach experienced, compassionate attorneys who fight for people like you. Contact us today to get started with your free, no-obligation consultation and case review.