Sacramento Vehicle Defect Lawyers
Were you injured in an accident due to a defective vehicle? Did you suffer any losses, including medical expenses and lost wages? If so, contact the Sacramento car accident lawyers of Tiemann Law Firm so we can review your case and determine whether you’re entitled to compensation from the at-fault party.
It’s the manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure the products they provide to consumers are in safe working condition. If there’s a defective part or malfunctioning system in a vehicle, it could lead to an accident. The manufacturer or another party involved in building the car could be held liable for the injuries caused in a crash that results from a defective part or system.
Tiemann Law Firm has been representing clients like you since 1998. We believe in providing accident victims with the legal services, guidance, and support they need during challenging times. If you’re the victim of an accident that resulted from a defective vehicle, you were wronged by someone else’s negligent actions and deserve to seek justice for the harm you suffered. We can help you fight for the full and fair compensation you need to get your life back on track.
We know a car accident can result in significant physical injuries, emotional pain, and financial struggles. Let the dedicated and compassionate Sacramento vehicle defect lawyers from Tiemann Law Firm take over your case and hold the careless individual or entity accountable for what they have done. Call us for a free consultation today at (916) 999-9000.
Common Defects That Can Cause Car Accidents
Drivers rely on their vehicles to get them to their destinations safely. If the steering system malfunctions or an integral part of their car has a defect, catastrophic consequences could result. Manufacturers are supposed to design, build, and market their products to meet specific standards. Failing to provide adequate warning labels or knowingly using faulty materials for a part makes the manufacturer liable if someone gets hurt in an accident.
When defects are present, they commonly appear in these parts or systems:
- Seat belt
- Accelerator
- Gas tank
- Tires
- Airbag
- Engine
- Steering system
- Braking system
- Wiring
- Roof
Three main types of defects that could impact the safety of any vehicle include:
- Failure to warn – The manufacturer was aware of the defect but failed to provide warning labels notifying consumers of the risks.
- Manufacturing defect – There was an error during the manufacturing process that resulted in a dangerous final vehicle or part.
- Design defect – A flaw in the design created an inherent safety risk for the user.
Typically, these defects occur because of human error. The most common reasons for defective vehicles are:
- Installing parts incorrectly
- Using cheap materials
- Causing damage during repairs
- Manufacturing a car with defective parts
- Using a poor design
If a car accident was the result of someone else’s mistakes, you should hold them liable for the suffering you endured. Tiemann Law Firm can help you determine who was at fault and how to pursue the compensation you deserve to pay for your medical treatment and heal your injuries.
Who to Hold Liable for an Accident Caused by Vehicle Defects
You might not realize who was responsible for a crash in its immediate aftermath. You likely feel disoriented and in shock. One thing is clear, though – your actions aren’t to blame. You know someone else was at fault but might not know who. An accident investigation is the best way to determine who should be held liable for your injuries and resulting losses.
The difficulty with investigating this type of case is that multiple parties could have contributed to the car accident. The circumstances involved can indicate which parties were responsible. In some instances, another driver knowingly drove a vehicle with recalled parts without taking the proper steps to get them replaced or repaired. In other situations, the manufacturer might have known they were selling defective cars and didn’t provide any warnings.
The Sacramento vehicle defect lawyers of Tiemann Law Firm will review the evidence we find to ensure we seek legal action on your behalf against the appropriate party.
- Another driver – It’s up to a vehicle owner to bring their car in routinely for maintenance and repairs. If they don’t, there could be defects they’re unaware of or do know about but failed to fix. If an accident occurs, they could be at fault and become financially responsible for your expenses.
- Car or parts manufacturer – Manufacturers owe a legal duty to consumers to provide products that meet factory standards and are safe for use. Defects or damage caused by defective products could make them liable if a crash occurs.
- Shipping companies – Companies transporting products from one manufacturing plant to another or from the manufacturing warehouse to the retailer must ensure all cargo is stored correctly and moved with care. Damage that occurs from incorrectly transporting components could result in a malfunctioning car part, which could cause an accident.
- Retailers – Although retail stores don’t participate in the production or building of vehicles and parts, they should be sure they’re selling products in good working condition to consumers. They could bear some liability for a car accident if they contributed to putting a defective vehicle on the road.
- Maintenance and repair companies – Some companies are responsible for repairing and replacing defective parts. If they’re aware of a problem, they should notify the manufacturer. Failing to inspect a vehicle and properly fix the damage they find can result in their liability for an accident victim’s losses.
These are the parties most likely to be liable for a car accident involving a vehicle or parts defect, but this isn’t a comprehensive list. The Sacramento vehicle defect lawyers of Tiemann Law Firm know the course we need to take to pursue compensation from the person or company responsible for your injuries and will be your guide throughout your claim.
Compensation You Could Be Entitled to After a Vehicle Defect Accident
California law requires every motor vehicle operator and owner to purchase auto insurance. Coverage should include liability limits of:
- $15,000 per person for bodily injury or death
- $30,000 for more than one person for bodily injury or death
- $5,000 for property damage
Under the fault system, whichever driver causes an accident becomes financially responsible for the injured person’s losses. The liability insurance company could cover these losses when you file a claim. Examples of available losses include:
- Medical expenses
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages and future earnings
If the manufacturer, retailer, or another company was at fault for the crash, you might be entitled to compensation from their insurance company. Many businesses purchase general liability insurance to cover losses suffered by consumers. Tiemann Law Firm can request a copy of their policy to determine if there’s available coverage and whether it’s adequate in compensating for your past and future losses.
However, in the case of some giant corporations, like most auto manufacturers, it is likely that they self-insure, meaning there is no insurance company to rely upon to pay compensation to those injured by the manufacturer’s errors. In those cases, the injured victim’s best recourse is to file a lawsuit.
Filing a Lawsuit After a Car Accident in Sacramento
If you want to sue a person or company for the losses you suffered in a car accident, you must adhere to a specific timeframe. This is called a statute of limitations. California has a two-year statute of limitations for cases involving personal injury or death. That means you have two years from the date of the crash to file your lawsuit. If the deadline passes before you get a chance to initiate your legal case, you could lose your right to recover a monetary award and hold the at-fault party liable in the court system.
During a civil lawsuit, it might be possible to seek punitive damages, called “exemplary damages” in California. Unlike the monetary value of losses, such as medical expenses and emotional distress, punitive damages don’t compensate an accident victim. Instead, they are intended as punishment for the defendant because of their wrongdoings. You must provide clear and convincing evidence of malice, fraud, or oppression for the jury to issue this type of judgment.
Contact Tiemann Law Firm for Your Free Same-Day Consultation
Our Sacramento vehicle defect lawyers take personal injury cases on contingency. That means there are no upfront fees or costs for you to pay. If we win your case, that’s when we’ll collect our legal fees. If we lose, you won’t owe us anything.
Our free consultation gives you an opportunity to meet with us and discuss the details of the accident and the injuries you sustained. We can provide honest legal advice and inform you of your options for pursuing compensation. There’s no obligation to hire us, and we won’t charge you for our time if you choose to go with another firm.
At Tiemann Law Firm, we have a team of legal professionals available 24/7 to take your call and answer your questions. We know the importance of customer service and want to ensure that our clients know they’re our priority. You won’t have to wait long for a return call or email. We strive to provide quality service to every client who hires us.
If you want to discuss how we can help after an accident caused by a vehicle defect, do not hesitate to contact us. The sooner we can get to work on your case, the sooner you can receive your monetary award and move forward with your life. The Sacramento vehicle defect lawyers of Tiemann Law Firm always fight hard to seek justice for our clients and get them on track to recover from their injuries. Call us for your free case evaluation today at (916) 999-9000.
