Car design become more advanced every day and their styles frequently evolve. Even so, defective auto parts and design flaws still arise. Vehicle crashes, serious injuries and sometimes even death may result from these avoidable mistakes.
Finding out how and why a defect caused a motor vehicle accident requires a thorough investigation. A careful examination of the facts could lead to product recalls or design changes that prevent further harm. An added benefit of the investigation is that it might help someone hurt in an automobile collision bring a successful personal injury lawsuit.
The role of the NHTSA
Responsibility for maintaining vehicle safety standards and investigating potential defects falls upon the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA has created a roadmap for investigating possible issues and recalling unsafe vehicles or flawed equipment. Filing a Vehicle Safety Complaint with the NHTSA describing the defect gets the process started.
Several people reporting the same concern about a vehicle part may cause the NHTSA to conduct an investigation. If the part is found to be unsafe or create an excessive risk, either the NHTSA or more likely the manufacturer will issue a recall of the defective product.
Once the recall happens, the manufacturer will notify vehicle owners of the defect. Owners should follow all instructions in the recall notice and reach out to their Redondo Beach area dealers for free repairs. To ensure that the problem is corrected safely, effectively and without cost to the owner, the NHTSA oversees the recall process.
Seeking compensation after a defect
The NHTSA plays an important role in vehicle safety. However, for the victims of motor vehicle accidents caused by a defect, there may be additional help available. The NHTSA’s investigation could help reveal the party at fault for the defect, but it is also possible to engage professionals to help review the circumstances of a particular crash to identify potential issues and whom may be at fault. This might enable an accident victim to prevail on a legal claim for injuries and damages.