It is a fact of life that products break, and seemingly only at the worst times. However, there is a huge difference between your TV remote breaking for the third time in a week and your car experiencing mechanical failure on the Garden State Parkway.
If you or a loved one has been in an injurious accident due to a defective vehicle, you may be entitled to financial compensation through a personal injury claim under product liability statutes.
The attorneys of Fredson Statmore Bitterman have over 50 years of combined experience reaching successful verdicts and settlements for clients injured by defective motor vehicles. We take pride in protecting the legal rights of our clients in local New Jersey communities throughout New Jersey. Lean on our experience and intimate knowledge of local law to seek full and fair compensation for your injuries as we have done for decades.
Call our office today for a free and confidential consultation with a Bloomfield car defect injury lawyer.
Common Vehicle Defects
Our Bloomfield attorneys understand that determining the cause of your accident is the first step towards filing a successful auto product liability claim. Over our decades of combined experience, here are some of the most common vehicle defects which can lead to injury.
- Seatbelts – according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 90 percent of Americans use a seat-belt. However, seat-belt failure can cause significant injury when a vehicle is involved in an accident
- Airbags – there are two primary ways for an airbag to fail, either they are not deployed when needed, or they are deployed when they should not. Both can create extremely dangerous situations for drivers and passengers
- Brakes – without brakes, our cars are not able to be properly controlled by drivers. Thankfully, dual brake systems usually prevent catastrophic failure
- Steering – power steering and other modern complications to steering systems make the driving experience better, but also provide additional opportunities for mechanical breakdown
- Door Latches – broken door latches may lead to passengers inadvertently opening doors of a moving vehicle, which may ultimately end in serious injury
Strict Liability in Defective Product Claims
Most successful claims require the claimant to prove that another party acted with negligence or recklessness, leading to the injurious accident. However, some product liability claims fall under strict liability regulations, meaning that a defendant is inherently liable for damages whether or not the claimant is able to prove negligence. Essentially, these laws were enacted in New Jersey in order to protect consumers from harmful products.
What does this mean for those injured by defective vehicles? It means that our Bloomfield attorneys will be able to focus on the details of the mechanical breakdown in question without worrying about the reasons why they broke down to begin with. In other words, if an auto part breaks causing injury, that is legally sufficient to find the manufacturer liable for your accident and the resulting injuries.
Auto Defect Damages
As defective vehicle part claims do not require proving negligence, our Bloomfield attorneys will need to prove these three items to successfully resolve your claim:
- You were involved in an auto accident
- That auto accident was the direct result of a defective part or mechanical failure of your vehicle or another vehicle
- Your injuries were the direct result of the injury in question
A great first step in the immediate aftermath of an accident caused by a defective vehicle is to document the exact nature of your accident. Memories change over time, and insurance companies may use this against you. By taking pictures and/or videos (when possible), writing down what you experienced, and documenting the scene, you are providing evidence which can be used down the line.
Another critical step is seeking medical attention as soon as possible. Not only will you be receiving the medical treatment you need for your injuries, but the diagnosis provided by your doctor will be proof that your injuries were in fact sustained in your auto accident. The sooner you are able to receive a diagnosis, the stronger the connection between your accident and your injuries.
Let a Bloomfield Car Defect Injury Attorney Help
At The Law Office of Fredson Statmore Bitterman, we believe that car manufacturers need to be held accountable when their products fail, causing injuries to consumers. Our experienced legal team has extensive experience seeking financial compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, punitive damages, and more for clients injured in auto accidents in towns throughout New Jersey.
Call our offices or contact us online today for a free and confidential consultation with a Bloomfield car defect injury lawyer.
