When you choose a vehicle, it should meet your needs and, most importantly, provide safety for you and your family. We cannot control what is happening on the road, a lot of unexpected events might occur but as a driver and owner of a car, you have the obligation and responsibility to ensure the safety, legality, and proper functioning of your vehicle. Annually, thousands of people are injured in car crashes and due to complications some of them lose their lives. While human error is frequently identified as the primary cause of these accidents, vehicle defects also play a significant role. Despite advanced safety technologies and stringent regulations, vehicle defects can lead to severe crashes and substantial property damage. In the past, various crashes that occurred in the United States have been attributed to defects in the vehicles. These defects can emanate from flawed design, poor manufacture, or inadequate servicing. Defects can be minor, such as worn-out tires or brakes, or some major structural problem.
Vehicle defects were identified as the final failure in the causal chain of events leading to crashes in 2% of the 5470 surveyed incidents according to the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey (NMVCCS).
Among these crashes related to vehicle defects, tire problems accounted for approximately 35%, brake issues for 22%, and other parts for the remaining 43%. As the population of older vehicles rises and many defective vehicles remain in operation on US roads, it is essential to comprehend the impact of vehicle defects on road safety and devise strategies to reduce the risk of such occurrences. This may become even more critical in the development of self-driving cars, where concerns about safety shift from humans to vehicle-related factors, and overall system failures. Various vehicle component-related studies have sought to explain vehicle defects in crashes.
One such study discussing vehicle components most often involved in vehicle defect-related crashes said that brake system defects were cited as contributing factors to roadway accidents. The same study indicated that older vehicles are more likely to be involved in crashes due to poor servicing and maintenance. This is also echoed in a similar study. An analysis of seven years of crash data from Louisiana (2010-2016) emphasized that worn-out tires and defective brakes disproportionately represented in the crashes linked to vehicle defects. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has conducted numerous studies to pinpoint which mechanical failures are involved in the most accidents. Bad suspensions, worn tires, faulty brakes, and broken lights are parts of the car’s most accidents. Knowing these components can help you prevent tragedy and prepare for replacement when necessary. Research conducted in Alabama aimed at the role played by vehicle defects in causing crashes contributing to the severity of the injury provided insightful information into the causes of road accidents in the state. An analysis of available crash data showed brake defects as the highest defect factor in crashes at 26,7%, while tire blowouts accounted for 22,4%. Worn tires and defective brakes featured very high to show over-representation in the role of vehicle defects causing crashes.
It also found that in about 70% of the crashes, airbags did not deploy, and 67% of the vehicles with defects were older than ten years. These findings further reiterate the focus on aging vehicles that require proper maintenance in order to avoid defect-related crashes. Older vehicles are likely to crash due to poor maintenance, hence needing regular inspection and timely repairs.
Only in Florida, during 2022, there were 397,620 automobile accidents, with 252,169 of those involving injuries and 3,535 of these accidents resulting in fatalities.
The bad events that might occur in our lives cannot be controlled, and a car accident due of defective vehicle parts can end very tragically. A car accident lawyer can gather the evidence needed in a lawsuit and build a strong case, making sure all the costs are being covered by the insurance company.
About the Author
Sean M. Cleary is a personal injury attorney with over 20 years of professional experience whose practice area focuses on car accidents. The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary is headquartered in Miami, Florida.
