Los Angeles Automotive Defect Accident Lawyer
Most drivers assume that the vehicles they purchase or ride in are safe when used as intended. Federal and state regulations require automakers and parts manufacturers to design, test, and manufacture vehicles that meet minimum safety standards. Unfortunately, defective cars and components still make their way onto California roads every day. When a defect causes or contributes to a crash, the consequences can be severe, and the legal issues are far more complex than in an ordinary accident case.
At Kosnett Law Firm, our Los Angeles automotive defect accident lawyers represent individuals and families harmed by automotive defects. These cases often involve powerful manufacturers, aggressive insurance carriers, and complicated technical evidence. Understanding how automotive defect accidents occur and how liability is established is critical to protecting your rights after a serious crash.
What Is an Automotive Defect Accident?
An automotive defect accident occurs when a vehicle or one of its components fails due to a design flaw, manufacturing error, or inadequate warnings, leading to a crash or worsening the injuries suffered in an accident. Unlike collisions caused solely by driver error, defect-related accidents may happen even when the driver is operating the vehicle responsibly.
For example, a driver may lose control due to sudden brake failure, experience a rollover because of a defective suspension system, or suffer catastrophic injuries when airbags fail to deploy or deploy too aggressively. In these cases, responsibility may extend beyond other motorists to automakers, parts suppliers, distributors, and even dealerships.
Common Types of Automotive Defects in Los Angeles
Automotive defects can affect nearly every system in a vehicle. Some defects directly cause crashes, while others increase the severity of injuries once a collision occurs. In Los Angeles County, where well over six million vehicles are registered, some of the most frequently litigated defects are:
- Brake system failures, including premature wear, hydraulic malfunctions, or electronic braking defects
- Steering defects that cause loss of control or sudden veering
- Tire defects, leading to tread separation or blowouts
- Airbag failures, including non-deployment, delayed deployment, or explosive deployment
- Seatbelt defects that fail to restrain occupants properly
- Fuel system defects that increase the risk of explosion on impact or fuel-fed fires
- Electronic and software failures, particularly in modern vehicles with advanced driver-assistance systems
These defects may not be obvious to drivers until something goes wrong. In many cases, internal documents later reveal that manufacturers were aware of the problem long before issuing a recall or failed to issue one at all.
How Automotive Defects Cause Serious Injuries
When a defective vehicle or component fails, drivers and passengers often have little or no opportunity to avoid harm. A sudden mechanical failure at highway speeds can result in high-impact crashes, rollovers, or multi-vehicle pileups. Even low-speed accidents can become deadly when safety systems do not function as intended.
Victims of automotive defect accidents frequently suffer severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal organ injuries, burns, and complex fractures. In some cases, defects do not cause the initial crash but significantly worsen the outcome — for example, when a roof collapses during a rollover or a seatbelt unlatches on impact.
These injuries can lead to permanent disability, loss of earning capacity, and long-term medical needs. Families may also face wrongful death claims when a loved one is killed due to a preventable defect.
Product Liability Law in California
Automotive defect cases are governed by product liability law, which differs significantly from ordinary personal injury claims. California law allows injured individuals to pursue claims under several legal theories, including strict liability, negligence, and failure to warn.
Under strict product liability, an injured person does not need to prove that the manufacturer was careless. Instead, they must show that the product was defective, that the defect existed when it left the manufacturer’s control, and that the defect caused their injuries. This standard is especially important in automotive cases, where proving internal corporate negligence can be difficult without extensive discovery.
California courts recognize three primary categories of product defects:
- Design defects, where the product is inherently dangerous even when manufactured correctly
- Manufacturing defects, where a product deviates from its intended design due to an error during production
- Failure to warn defects, where manufacturers fail to provide adequate instructions or warnings about known risks
Determining which category applies requires thorough investigation and expert analysis.
Recalls and Why They Don’t Always Protect Consumers
Vehicle recalls are intended to address known safety defects, but they do not always prevent injuries. Some recalls are issued years after a defect is discovered, while others are poorly communicated to vehicle owners. In many cases, drivers never receive notice or are unable to obtain timely repairs.
Importantly, the existence of a recall does not bar an injured person from filing a lawsuit. Likewise, the absence of a recall does not mean a defect does not exist. Many successful automotive defect claims involve vehicles that were never recalled but were later proven to be unsafe.
An experienced product liability attorney will examine recall history, manufacturer communications, and prior incidents involving similar vehicles to determine whether a defect played a role in your accident.
Who Can Be Held Liable for an Automotive Defect?
One of the defining features of automotive defect cases is that multiple parties may share responsibility. Liability may extend beyond the vehicle’s manufacturer to include parts suppliers, designers, distributors, and retailers. In some cases, repair shops or dealerships may also be liable if improper repairs or modifications contributed to the failure.
Identifying all responsible parties is essential to maximizing compensation. Large manufacturers often attempt to shift blame or minimize their role, making skilled legal representation critical from the earliest stages of the case.
Proving an Automotive Defect Claim in Los Angeles
Automotive defect cases are evidence-intensive and often hinge on expert testimony. Vehicles may need to be preserved and inspected, sometimes immediately after the crash, to prevent spoliation of evidence. Engineers, accident reconstruction specialists, and medical experts are often required to connect the defect to the injuries suffered.
Insurance companies and manufacturers frequently argue that driver error, road conditions, or improper maintenance caused the accident. A thorough investigation is necessary to counter these defenses and demonstrate how the defect either caused the crash or exacerbated the injuries.
Because of the complexity involved, these cases are rarely successful without experienced legal counsel and the resources to take on well-funded corporate defendants.
Compensation in Automotive Defect Cases
Victims of automotive defect accidents may be entitled to significant compensation depending on the severity of their injuries and the impact on their lives. Recoverable damages may include medical expenses, lost income, future medical care, loss of earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. In cases involving egregious corporate misconduct, punitive damages may also be available.
When a defect results in a fatal accident, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim to recover damages for loss of financial support, funeral expenses, and the loss of companionship and care.
Why You Need an Experienced Los Angeles Automotive Defect Lawyer
Automotive defect cases are fundamentally different from routine car accident claims. They require a deep understanding of product liability law, access to qualified experts, and the ability to litigate against large manufacturers that are determined to protect their reputations and profits.
At Kosnett Law Firm, we have the experience and resources necessary to handle complex automotive defect cases from investigation through trial. We work aggressively to uncover the truth, hold negligent manufacturers accountable, and pursue full compensation for our clients.
If you or a loved one was injured in a crash in Los Angeles involving a suspected vehicle defect, do not assume the accident was unavoidable. You may have legal options that extend far beyond a standard insurance claim. Contact Kosnett Law Firm for a free consultation to learn how we can help you protect your rights and pursue justice.
