Motor vehicle is a broad term that can refer to several different types of automobile including:
- Passenger Cars
- Trucks
- Vans
- SUVs
- Motorcycles
- RVs
There are millions of motor vehicles sold in the United States every year and millions more that are manufactured both at home and abroad.
When a defective motor vehicle causes injury or death, swift legal action is often the best way to protect your rights and seek the total compensation you are due.
How Our Motor Vehicle Defect Attorneys Can Help
As a motor vehicle defect attorney firm serving the South Bay and Los Angeles, Kirtland & Packard handles every stage of a defective vehicle claim:
- Defect investigation: We retain automotive engineers and accident reconstruction experts to identify whether a design flaw, manufacturing error, or failure to warn caused the crash or injury.
- Full liability identification: Manufacturers, component suppliers, and distributors can all be held responsible depending on where the defect originated.
- Damage calculation: We calculate medical costs, lost income, future care needs, and pain and suffering, not just current bills.
- Trial-ready preparation: Auto manufacturers defend these cases aggressively. As a law firm in Redondo Beach, we build every case prepared to litigate.
- No fees unless we win: Every case is handled on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation.
Contact Our Redondo Beach Office for a Free Case Review
For a complimentary case review with one of our Redondo Beach defective automotive lawyers, please call Kirtland & Packard at (310) 536-1000 today. We serve Manhattan Beach, Torrance, and all surrounding South Bay Communities.
Common Motor Vehicle Defects
There are several defects that can impact the performance of a vehicle. Some of these pose no threat to health and safety. Others can cause serious injury or death.
Among the leading causes of motor vehicle defects that result in injury are:
- Electrical and wiring problems
- Ignition switch issues
- Brake, clutch, or gas pedal failure
- Structural deficiencies
- Fuel and exhaust system problems
- Transmission and engine issues
- Seatbelt failure
- Defective airbags
- Faulty tires
When a system, component, or vehicle part fails, injury may be unavoidable. If you suspect your injury was the result of a faulty vehicle, our product liability lawyers are here to help. Call us today for a complimentary case evaluation to learn more.
How can I Tell if My Accident Was Caused by a Defective Vehicle?
It is not always clear if a vehicle defect contributed to an accident. This is one of the main reasons it is useful to have a legal team on your side with significant auto accident experience.
Kirtland & Packard boasts some of the country’s most effective and awarded attorneys. Our knowledge, resources, and dedication allow us to thoroughly investigate auto accidents to uncover all possible causes. Before you accept an offer from insurance, talk to one of our attorneys to learn more about your options and your rights.
Vehicle Recalls
Auto manufacturers issue hundreds of thousands of vehicle recalls every year. Some of the worst offenders are forced to issue millions. A vehicle recall is intended to alert owners and lessees to potential dangers, and to offer free repair.
Some recalls are proactive. Many recalls occur only after serious or fatal injuries have been reported. Some vehicles, despite defects, are never recalled at all.
A vehicle does not have to be recalled for it to be dangerously defective. Even in cases where no recall was issued, victims of serious injury caused by a defective vehicle may be entitled to compensation for:
- Lost wages and earning potential
- Medical expenses
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
A recall is not a shield against liability. It does, however, provide some protection for the manufacturer. For example, if a recall has been issued and a driver, aware of the recall, continues to operate the vehicle, the manufacturer may have strong footing to fight a claim. Having an experienced and reputable attorney on your side can help ensure your story is heard and justice is served.
Contact Kirtland & Packard for a Free Consultation
To schedule a free case review at our Redondo Beach office, please call (310) 536-1000 today. The attorneys at Kirtland & Packard serve the South Bay communities of Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Lawndale, and all surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common types of auto defects?
Common defects include faulty brakes, defective airbags, tire failures, steering system malfunctions, fuel system defects, seatbelt failures, and roof crush defects. Defects can be present in the original design, introduced during manufacturing, or resulting from inadequate safety warnings in owner documentation.
Who can be held liable for a defective vehicle?
Vehicle manufacturers, component suppliers, and distributors can all be liable depending on where the defect originated. A product liability lawyer in Redondo Beach identifies every responsible party across the supply chain.
How do I prove a vehicle defect caused my injury?
Proof requires establishing that the defect existed, it made the vehicle unreasonably dangerous, and it caused the injury. Expert testimony from automotive engineers and accident reconstructionists is typically essential. A motor vehicle defect lawyer in South Bay from Kirtland & Packard retains the right experts from the outset and preserves vehicle evidence before it is repaired or destroyed.
How do I start an auto defect claim in Redondo Beach?
Contact our team immediately and do not repair or dispose of the vehicle. Preserve all documentation, including purchase records, service history, and any recall notices. If the defect caused a fatality, a wrongful death lawyer in Redondo Beach from our team handles both claims simultaneously. Call (310) 536-1000, available 24/7. Se habla español.