Car Accident
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DEFECTIVE CAR DESIGNS IN CAR ACCIDENTSInjured In San Francisco? Call Scarlett Law Group Now!
Lets face it, despite the efforts of the automobile industry, no vehicle can be designed to withstand all of the forces typically at work in a severe automobile accident. For example, most bumper systems are designed to withstand a five mile-per-hour impact without much damage. However, isolator/shock absorber/piston bumpers, foam core bumpers, and honeycomb bumpers can, and often do, sustain significant damage in accidents occurring as low a speed as 8 to 10 miles-per-hour.
The type of accident involved, the size and crash worthiness of the vehicles involved, and the utilization of airbags, shoulder harnesses, and seatbelts, all play an important role in the type of injuries actually sustained.
If your car accident was caused by a defect – either design or mechanical – contact our team at Scarlett Law Group for help. We can discuss your injuries and evaluate your claim during a free consultation.
Call (415) 352-6264or request a free consultation online.
Who Is Responsible For Injuries Caused By Defective Designs?
Defectively designed and manufactured vehicles, as well as those vehicles not properly maintained, can often be the cause of accidents. An automobile manufacturer may be responsible under legal theories of strict product liability where it is established that the design of the vehicle caused harm to the operator and occupants.
Similarly, an automobile manufacturer may be held responsible under a legal theory of strict products liability where a manufacturing defect so caused the accident, or where the manufacturer failed to warn the consumer about a known defect.
Other legal theories may include breach of the implied warranty of merchantability, breach of the implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose, breach of warranty of title and sales contracts, and products liability – negligence.
Examples Of Dangerous Vehicle Designs
- Top Heavy Roofs. Rollover accidents can cause a roof to collapse, thereby resulting in injury to the occupants of the vehicle. As an occupant comes into contact with any collapsing part of a motor vehicle, injury is almost assured. During rollover accidents, it is not uncommon for passengers to be ejected from the vehicle and severe injuries, including fatalities, result.
- Child Car Seats. Car seating can also be a cause of significant injury. Remember, never put children under eleven years of age in the front seat. According to the NHTSA, these children should be seated in the back of the vehicle with a seat belt and shoulder harness on. Extremely young children should be placed in rear-facing infant seats, also in the back of the vehicle.
- Airbags. Airbags deploy in an extremely fast fashion. Generally, a sensor, in conjunction with an onboard computer, decides whether or not an airbag ought to be deployed in an accident. Oftentimes, the sensor is triggered by the change in velocity of the vehicle itself. Airbags are known to cause fatal injuries in infants improperly placed in the front seat. Injuries to adults can occur as well. These injuries can include injuries to the head, chest, face, arms, eyes, and jaw. Fractures, as well as bruises and abrasions are common. This is especially so where the adult is sitting within a foot of the airbag console.
- Seatbelts. The restraint systems themselves – be they seatbelts or seatbelts with shoulder harnesses – can likewise cause injury. All too often, however, the benefits of utilizing such systems far outweigh the risks involved.
We Thoroughly Investigate Every Detail
The Scarlett Law Group promptly investigates the cause of the accident. No stone is left unturned during the investigative process. From driver negligence, to products failure, the Scarlett Law Group analyzes all causative factors involved in a collision.
If you or someone you know has been injured as the result of an auto accident or car crash, you need the assistance of the Scarlett Law Group. Call (415) 352-6264 today to speak with a car accident lawyer in San Francisco.
Do I Have A Case?
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To learn more about how we can protect your rights, please contact our San Francisco office.