ALEXANDER CITY AUTO DEFECT ATTORNEYS

Automotive Defects in Tallapoosa County

Although we are all aware of the risks that come with driving cars, SUVs, and other automobiles, we rarely think of these risks as stemming from the vehicle itself. Everyone knows the dangers of being involved in an accident, but many people do not realize that auto defects can actually cause or contribute to these accidents. Even when a collision occurs due to a careless or reckless motorist, the effects of the accident—and the severity of the victims’ injuries—can be heightened if the vehicle contains a defect.

When an auto defect causes an individual’s injuries, the victim may have a claim against the manufacturer or another liable party. At Morris Haynes Attorneys at Law, we represent clients in Tallapoosa County and throughout the state of Alabama in all types of product liability claims, including cases involving auto defects. If you believe that you may have a case, reach out to our firm right away to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

Common Auto Defects

Like other types of products, motor vehicles may have any of the following types of defects:

• Design Defects: When the design of the vehicle or a vehicle part causes it to be unreasonably unsafe for the user
• Manufacturing Defects: When a flaw is introduced to the vehicle or a vehicle part during manufacturing, making it ineffective or dangerous
• Labeling Defects: When important information, such as airbag safety warnings or tire maximum PSI labels, are missing

Most auto defect claims involve faulty vehicle components. However, a vehicle itself may be defective. One example is tall vehicles, like SUVs, that are excessively top-heavy, causing them to roll over.

In recent years, auto defect litigation has commonly involved:

• Airbags
• Tires
• Seatbelts
• Accelerators
• Ignition switches
• Fuel storage tanks
• Fuel injectors
• Steering systems
• Brakes
• Transmissions
• Gear shifters
• Electrical components and computers
• Door latches
• Headlights and taillights

When these and other vehicle components fail to work properly, drivers and their passengers are at serious risk of being involved in an accident. This can lead to significant bodily injury and, in the worst cases, death.

At Morris Haynes Attorneys at Law, our Alexander City auto defect attorneys believe that negligent manufacturers should be held accountable. You deserve justice, and our team can help you fight to protect your rights and work to secure every cent you are owed.

Damages in Auto Defect Claims

An auto defect can lead to a serious accident, which may result in numerous consequences for victims. If you were injured in an accident caused by a defective vehicle or vehicle part, you may be facing mounting medical bills, weeks or months of lost wages, and immense pain and suffering.

Depending on the specific details of your case, you may be entitled to the following damages:

• Emergency medical care
• Hospitalization
• Ambulance fees
• Surgeries and other treatments
• Rehabilitation
• Medications
• Medical equipment and devices
• Future medical expenses
• Lost income, wages, and other employment benefits
• Diminished earning capacity
• Lost future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Disfigurement
• Inconvenience

In some cases, you may also be entitled to punitive damages, which are meant to punish the defendant for egregious negligence or willful/wanton misconduct.

Proving Your Auto Defect Case

If you were injured in an accident, and you believe that an auto defect may have been to blame for the crash and/or your injuries, you may have a case against the manufacturer (or another party).

However, to prove your case, you must prove the following elements:

• You were injured
• There was an auto defect
• Your injuries were caused by the auto defect
• The defendant is either strictly liable or liable under the theory of negligence

Often, automobile manufacturers are strictly liable for damages resulting from auto defects. This means that they are automatically responsible when people are injured due to defective vehicles or vehicle parts. However, this is not always the case; we urge you to reach out to our team at Morris Haynes Attorneys at Law to learn more about your legal rights and options.

The sooner you contact our firm, the better. In Alabama, there is a two-year statute of limitations on most auto defect cases, meaning you only have two years from the date of injury (or the date on which the injury was discovered or reasonably could have been discovered) to file a lawsuit. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to seek compensation for your damages.

Why Hire an Auto Defect Attorney?

Auto manufacturers are large, powerful entities. They often have teams of lawyers whose sole job is to defend the company against product liability and negligence claims.

At Morris Haynes Attorneys at Law, we understand how these entities operate, and we know how to fight back against their efforts to dispute, devalue, or deny your claim. Our attorneys bring more than 30 years of experience to their practice, as well as a hard-earned reputation for aggressive client advocacy. We are known for our long history of results, totaling more than $1 billion in compensation recovered for our clients. We are prepared to handle the legal details so that you can focus on healing and moving forward from the accident.