Manufacturers are required by law to design and engineer cars that meet a minimum safety standard.  While advancements are being made every day to improve the safety and efficiency of automobiles on the road, problems with the design and functionality of the cars themselves -- sometimes referred to as product liability -- is one of the top causes of car accidents on the road. Even with federal safety standards and extensive testing on every automobile manufactured, our car accident lawyers know there are a significant amount of defective cars on the road.

What Do Auto Makers Do About Design Defect?

Car manufacturers are usually faced with only two choices after discovering a poorly designed auto component:
  • Recall the defective part or car and fix it.
  • Pay off accident-related lawsuits as they arise.
Manufacturing defects can lead to very serious auto accidents.  As such, you should be aware of the typical design defects, as well as how to prevent a car accident.

Brake Failures Result In Major Car Accidents

Modern dual-circuit brake systems have made total brake failure an unlikely event. If one side of the brake circuit fails, the other side can sufficiently stop the car.  Disc brakes, found on the front wheels of nearly every car built today, are significantly more effective than older drum braking systems, which can fade when hot. Anti Blockier System (ABS) or anti-lock brakes prevent the wheels from locking up during emergency braking maneuvers, allowing modern automobiles to avoid many car accidents that might have occurred in the past due to brake failure.

Defective Tires Can Cause Car Accidents

The radial tires manufactured today are significantly safer than the bias-ply tires produced 25 years ago. Problems can still occur, mainly due to air pressure or tire traction. Under-inflated tires are the top cause of tire blowouts.  Uneven or worn-out tires caused by improperly balanced tires and misaligned or broken suspensions can put any car on an unintended path that may cause a car accident. Your tires keep you connected to the roadway.  If you do not know how to check your own tires then have a certified car mechanic check them every 5,000 miles.

Poor Steering & Suspension Can Lead To Car Accidents

Your suspension keeps your tires in contact with the roadway in a stable and predictable manner while the steering mechanisms enable you to go around road obstacles and avoid potential accidents. Even a safe, well-trained driver is helpless in the event of a steering or suspension system failure. To ensure your automobile is operating safely in terms of suspension and steering, have your vehicle checked out by a mechanic every 10,000 miles.

Call Our Attorneys Now If You've Been Injured By A Design Defect

The potential hazards you face with a design defect or improperly manufactured automobile are great in number and dangerous because you might not even realize they exist within your car.  As car accident lawyers, we encourage you to fully research any vehicle you purchase, as well as have it serviced regularly so that you can know the condition of your car before it causes a problem on the road. Your car might seem fine from where you sit, but knowing what's going on with all of its parts will ensure that you have the greatest amount of safety possible when you are driving. If you've been injured in a car accident that was caused by a design defect then call us now at 1-858-551-2090 or click here for a FREE consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer.  Since 1992, our San Diego law office has been geared primarily towards auto accident claims.  We know how the insurance companies work, so let our insider knowledge help you in your time of need.