Car Accidents and Product Liability

Car accidents and product liability often intersect when a crash is caused not by driver error, but by a defective vehicle or faulty component.

While most car accidents are caused by human error, there are times when the crash is the direct result of a defective vehicle or one of its parts. When a car’s brakes fail, the tire tread separation is deficient, or the airbag malfunctions under normal driving conditions, the issue may lie not with the driver, but with the product itself.

In these cases, victims may have grounds to pursue a product liability claim, holding the car manufacturer, parts manufacturer, or other parties accountable under product liability laws. These are complex personal injury claims, but an experienced car accident law firm in Chicago can help.

When a Defective Vehicle Part Causes a Car Accident

A defective part can lead to a catastrophic car crash, even when the driver is doing everything right. These failures can create unreasonably dangerous situations. In some cases, the defect caused the car accident itself. In others, the crash was unavoidable, but a faulty part failed to perform properly, making the injuries far worse.

Understanding Product Liability: Holding Manufacturers Accountable

Under Illinois law, manufacturers, distributors, and sellers have a legal obligation to ensure their products are safe when used as intended. This includes every vehicle component, from the braking system to the structural integrity of the frame.

A product liability claim allows injured parties to hold these companies legally responsible. In many cases, you do not have to prove negligence — only that the product was defective, used in such a way that was foreseeable, and led to the car accident or injuries.

Types of Defects: Design vs. Manufacturing Defects vs. Marketing

Three primary types of product or marketing defects form the basis of a successful product liability claim:

1. Design Defects

These occur when the intended design of the product is inherently dangerous. Even when manufactured correctly, the product is unsafe due to its very blueprint. An example might be a vehicle with a roof too weak to withstand a rollover in an accident, compromising vehicle safety.

2. Manufacturing Defects

Manufacturing defects occur when a product deviates from its intended design due to an error during assembly, faulty machinery, or substandard materials. For example, if a brake component fails under pressure, the product defect lies in how it was made.

3. Marketing Defects

Also known as inadequate warnings, these include the failure to provide proper safety instructions or to warn users of known risks. If an airbag system requires specific conditions to deploy safely and the manufacturer does not disclose this information, that may constitute a marketing defect.

Common Examples of Defective Parts Leading to Accidents

Here are some common examples of vehicle defects:

• Tire defects – including tread separation and sudden blowouts
• Brake failure – faulty pads, calipers, or hydraulic systems
• Defective airbag system – failure to deploy, late deployment, or excessive force
• Seatbelt malfunctions – unlatching or failure
• Steering system failures – loss of control while turning or at high speeds
• Stuck accelerators – unintended acceleration
• Faulty electronic stability control – failure of systems meant to prevent rollovers or skids
• Weak roof structures – especially dangerous in rollover crashes

Any one of these issues can lead to severe injuries, property damage, and long-term disability.

How Product Liability Cases Differ from Standard Negligence Claims

Product liability claims differ from standard personal injury lawsuits in several ways:

• The focus is on the defect, not driver behavior.
• Many states, including Illinois, apply strict liability in these cases — you don’t need to prove the manufacturer’s negligence, only that the defective product caused harm during proper use.
• The statute of limitations for a product defect case may be different from that of a standard car crash claim.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Defective Product Case?

Depending on where the defect originated and how the vehicle was distributed, multiple parties may be held accountable, including:

• The parts or vehicle manufacturer
• The distributor or supplier
• The car dealership or retailer
• A repair shop or service center

Determining liability following an accident often requires an in-depth investigation into the supply chain and product origin.

Steps to Take if You Suspect a Vehicle Defect Accident Caused Your Injuries

If you suspect your car crash and resulting injuries were caused by a defective automobile or part, act promptly.

1. Preserve the vehicle. Do not allow repairs or alterations until the car and parts have been thoroughly inspected.
2. Seek medical attention for any serious injuries, and keep detailed records of treatments.
3. Document the car accident thoroughly – take photos of the scene, the vehicle damage, and any warning signs.
4. Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers’ experienced product liability attorneys in Chicago.

Proving Your Product Liability Claim After a Car Accident

A successful product liability claim often hinges on technical analysis. Your legal team may work with:

• Engineers to inspect parts and identify failures.
• Car accident reconstruction experts to recreate what happened.
• Expert testimony to show how the defect directly caused or worsened your injuries.

Evidence like design schematics, recall records, and test data may also support your case.

Seeking Fair Compensation for Your Injuries and Losses

You may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including long-term care
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and diminished quality of life
• Permanent disability

Your dedicated team from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will approach your compensation claim with the best strategy for results and pursue every available avenue for recovery.

The Importance of Preserving Evidence (The Vehicle and Parts)

One of the most critical aspects of any product liability case is evidence preservation. The vehicle or part itself is the central piece of proof. If it is repaired, scrapped, or modified, your claim may be severely compromised.

Why You Need a Lawyer Experienced in Product Liability Cases

These are not average personal injury cases. Car crash cases and product liability claims involve technical product analysis, strict deadlines, and the resources to take on corporate legal teams.

A skilled Chicago personal injury lawyer with experience in product liability law will know how to:

• Identify the exact product defect
• Investigate the full supply chain and determine who can be held accountable
• Work with experts to support your claim
• Navigate both state and federal regulations
• Fight for maximum compensation in negotiation or trial

Your best strategy starts with a dedicated legal team that understands the complexities of vehicle safety and manufacturer responsibility.

How Our Law Firm Handles These Complex Claims

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we have extensive experience handling product liability cases tied to auto accidents. Our team conducts in-depth investigations, works with respected experts, and holds manufacturers and parts suppliers accountable when their products fail.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation Regarding Your Car Accident

If you believe a vehicle or design defect played a role in your car accident, don’t wait. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation with a knowledgeable product liability attorney. We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and guide you through the legal framework supporting your case.

At our law firm, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win. Let us help you take the first step toward holding the responsible party accountable.

Call (888) 424-5757 or fill out our contact form.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.