When you’re out on the road, you trust that your vehicle is designed and built safe and reliable. But when auto product defects lead to accidents and injuries, you need a Law Firm who will stand up for your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. The Rothenberg Law Firm has the resources, talent, and experience to take on deep-pocketed auto makers and make them pay for the harm they cause by choosing profits over the safety of consumers.
We invite you to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Philadelphia Auto Product Liability Lawyer to discuss your options for legal action.
Understanding Auto Product Liability
“Auto product liability” refers to the legal responsibility of manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of automotive components to design, test, and market safe products—and to take immediate corrective action if and when defects are detected.
Automotive defects can arise in various components of a vehicle, including brakes, airbags, seatbelts, locking mechanisms, tires, windows, frames, steering systems, and more. When these defects result in accidents or injuries, the victims may be entitled to compensation through our civil justice system.
Types of Auto Product Liability Cases We Handle
At The Rothenberg Law Firm, our experienced team of personal injury attorneys in Philadelphia handles auto product liability matters involving:
- Defective Airbags: where the airbag inflator ruptures and shoots metal fragments throughout the interior of the vehicle (ie. Takata airbags), fail to deploy or deploy with excessive force.
- Faulty Brakes: Brake system defects can lead to crashes due to an inability to properly stop the vehicle.
- Tire Defects: Tires can blow out or fail due to experiencing tread or bead separation, sidewall weakness or deformity, retreaded tires and/or from being improperly mounted, repaired or inflated.
- Faulty Ignition Switches: Ignition switch defects can cause sudden vehicle shutdown collisions.
- Defective Seatbelts: Injuries arise in a crash when faulty seatbelts and/or their locking mechanisms fail to restrain occupants.
- Unsafe Child Car Seats: Defective child car seats can lead to injuries in the event of a collision.
- Design Flaws: Design defects, such as instability/rollover or lack of ESC (Electronic Stability Control) technology; defective roof crush systems, car/fuel tank fires, can lead to catastrophic injuries. .
Steps to Take After an Auto Product-Related Incident
If you or a loved one has been involved in a crash or sustained injuries due to an auto product defect, take the following steps to protect your rights and build a strong case:
- Seek Medical Attention: Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Sometimes adrenaline makes initial injuries seem less serious in the immediate aftermath.
- Preserve Evidence: If possible, keep the defective auto product as evidence. Take photographs of the accident scene, injuries, and the product itself.
- Document Everything: Maintain a detailed record of medical expenses, vehicle repair costs, and any other out-of-pocket costs related to the incident.
- Do Not Speak with Insurers: Avoid discussing the incident with insurance companies or signing any documents without first consulting an attorney.
- Contact an Attorney: Reach out to our Philadelphia Auto Product Liability Lawyers to evaluate your case and provide guidance on the next steps.
Proving Liability in Auto Product Cases
Proving liability in auto product liability cases can be complex, as it requires demonstrating that the defect in the product directly caused the accident or injuries.
Building a case involves gathering evidence to establish liability on the part of the responsible parties—which may include the manufacturer, distributor, or seller of the defective product. It also requires exhaustive knowledge of the law to build a strong claim for damages.
Compensation for Auto Product Liability Cases
If you’ve suffered injuries due to an auto product defect, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including:
- Medical Expenses: to cover past and future medical bills related to your injuries
- Lost Wages: to compensate for past and future income you’ve lost due to the inability to work
- Pain and Suffering: to pay for physical pain, loss of enjoyment of life and mental anguish caused by the crash
- Property Damage: to reimburse for the repair or replacement of your damaged vehicle
- Punitive Damages: to punish the responsible party in cases of extreme reprehensible conduct
Statute of Limitations
Every state has its own statute of limitations that creates a specified window for how long you have to pursue a product liability claim. In most cases, Pennsylvania claimants have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
Consulting with a Philadelphia auto product liability lawyer as soon as possible ensures that your case is filed within the appropriate time frame, though it’s worth consulting an attorney even if you worry your deadline has passed because there are certain exceptions to this general rule that may apply.
How Our Philadelphia Auto Product Liability Lawyers Can Help
THe Rothenberg Law Firm has a proven track record of success in these types of cases. Here’s how our team can assist you:
- Legal Experience: Our experienced lawyers have an in-depth understanding of auto product liability laws in Pennsylvania and can provide specific guidance throughout your case.
- Thorough Investigation: We will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, gather evidence, and consult with experts to establish liability.
- Negotiation Skills: We are skilled negotiators and will work diligently to secure a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Litigation Experience: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we have the litigation experience to take your case to court and fight for your rights.
- Support: We understand the physical and emotional toll that auto product-related injuries can take. Our team will provide empathetic support and keep you informed every step of the way.
The Rothenberg Law Firm offers legal services for a wide range of personal injury cases. Our Philadelphia office is conveniently located to serve clients throughout greater Philadelphia, Delaware Valley and the entire tri-state area. If you require legal representation for a case involving an auto product defect or any other personal injury matter, reach out to us to determine your rights.
Our skilled personal injury attorneys are here to help you seek justice and recover the compensation you deserve.
Philadelphia Office Location
The Rothenberg Law Firm LLP
1420 Walnut Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19102
