{"id":353274,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:47","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/get-legal-help-with-a-car-or-vehicle-defect-or-recall.html"},"modified":"2023-11-07T10:42:01","modified_gmt":"2023-11-07T15:42:01","slug":"get-legal-help-with-a-car-or-vehicle-defect-or-recall","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/get-legal-help-with-a-car-or-vehicle-defect-or-recall.html","title":{"rendered":"Get Legal Help With a Car or Vehicle Defect or Recall"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n<div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\"><h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Get Legal Help With a Car or Vehicle Defect or Recall<\/h1>\n\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/christie-nicholson-j-d\/\">Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/oni-harton-j-d\/\">Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            November 07, 2023\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n    <div class=\"fl-callout-text article-blockquote\">\n        <p>If your vehicle or its parts are defective, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer. Auto defect cases can be complex, so consulting an attorney is often essential. A lawyer can help you pursue compensation for repairs, injuries, or other damages resulting from the defect.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Car recall processes\u00a0and\u00a0lemon laws are generally user-friendly. However, the laws regulating automobiles are complex. Filing a lawsuit against an auto manufacturer can be challenging, time-consuming, and complicated.<\/p>\n<p>An <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/products-liability-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">experienced attorney<\/a> brings stronger negotiation power to your auto defect case. They can negotiate with manufacturers and insurers more effectively, often securing better settlements than their clients could independently.<\/p>\n<p>This article outlines:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>When you may need professional legal help for an auto defect or recall<\/li>\n<li>How to prepare to meet with your attorney<\/li>\n<li>What your attorney can do to secure compensation or a legal remedy for your vehicle issue or injury<\/li>\n<li>How to find expert legal help in your state<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Do I Need an Auto Defects Lawyer?<\/h2>\n<p>Deciding whether you need to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/reasons-to-hire-an-experienced-personal-injury-attorney.html\">hire a personal injury lawyer<\/a> can be difficult. You&#8217;d like to think you can handle this on your own. However, if you&#8217;re not a lawyer, you aren&#8217;t expected to know the laws and the process for filing a product liability lawsuit.<\/p>\n<p>Keep reading to determine when to seek legal advice for your defective product lawsuit. You&#8217;ll also learn how a personal injury attorney can help. If you were involved in a car accident due to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/vehicle-recalls-and-defects.html\">subpar safety standards or a product defect<\/a>, you may have a claim for damages.<\/p>\n<h2>When To Contact a Product Liability Lawyer<\/h2>\n<p>A mistake many accident victims make is waiting too long to hire a lawyer. If you don&#8217;t file your claim within the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/time-limits-for-filing-product-liability-cases-state-by-state.html\">statute of limitations<\/a>\u00a0period, the judge will dismiss your case.<\/p>\n<p>You also want to ensure that the evidence proving your case is fresh. Your attorney will need time to prepare your claim. They&#8217;ll also need time to negotiate with the dealership or automaker&#8217;s insurance companies. Ideally, your lawyer can settle your claim without filing a lawsuit.<\/p>\n<p>Even if you weren&#8217;t in an accident, you still want to get your car repaired. If the vehicle defect is significant, the vehicle <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/your-right-to-recall-remedies.html\">manufacturer has to fix it<\/a>. Otherwise, you&#8217;re putting the lives of you and your loved ones at risk. Not only that, but you shouldn&#8217;t have to cover the bill for any repairs.<\/p>\n<p>All it may take is a strong demand letter to the manufacturer. However, a letter coming from an attorney has a much more significant impact than a letter from an ordinary consumer.<\/p>\n<h2>How To Prepare for a Vehicle Defect Consultation<\/h2>\n<p>When you first call your attorney, they&#8217;ll schedule your free case evaluation. You want to bring as much information as possible to this initial meeting. The more information your lawyer has, the better their chances of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/case-preparation-issues.html\">preparing your claim<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the materials you want to bring with you include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Any safety recall notices you may have received<\/li>\n<li>Copies of your warranty<\/li>\n<li>Auto accident or police report<\/li>\n<li>Car manufacturer information<\/li>\n<li>Vehicle recall info you&#8217;ve gotten online<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Once your attorney reviews this information, they&#8217;ll know whether or not\u00a0you have a valid claim. If you have a defective vehicle but weren&#8217;t in an accident, they can fight to get your car repaired at no cost. If\u00a0you were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/car-accidents\/car-accident-injuries.html\">in a crash<\/a>, they can help you file your lawsuit against the manufacturer.<\/p>\n<p>It may be necessary to join a class action lawsuit if there are numerous plaintiffs. One of the legal teams handling that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/class-action-cases.html\">class action<\/a> will be able to assist you with your claim.<\/p>\n<h2>Does It Matter if You Get Hurt in a Crash?<\/h2>\n<p>As mentioned above, there are times when motorists <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/car-accidents\/what-kinds-of-damages-may-i-claim-for-car-accident-injuries.html\">suffer an accident<\/a> because of a defective car. If that happens to you, there is additional information you&#8217;ll want to bring to your initial consultation.<\/p>\n<p>To determine if you have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/car-accidents\/car-accident-lawsuit-basics.html\">valid accident claim<\/a>, your attorney will need the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/obtaining-and-using-a-police-report.html\">Police report<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Copies of medical bills<\/li>\n<li>Proof of any lost wages<\/li>\n<li>Pictures from the accident scene<\/li>\n<li>The repair\u00a0estimate for your vehicle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Not surprisingly, a lot of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/car-defect-injury-claims.html\">vehicle defects<\/a> lead to motor vehicle accidents. Some of the more common types of defects include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Defective parts<\/li>\n<li>Defective tires<\/li>\n<li>Tendency to rollover<\/li>\n<li>Defective airbags<\/li>\n<li>Defective seatbelts<\/li>\n<li>Ignition switch issues<\/li>\n<li>Issues with the pedals<\/li>\n<li>Other safety issues<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you were driving a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/car-safety-recalls.html\">recalled vehicle<\/a> at the time of the crash, the defendant will argue that they aren&#8217;t liable. They&#8217;ll claim that you had the opportunity to fix the defect and chose not to. In this case, your attorney must show you never received the recall notice, or\u00a0that you did take your car for repairs\u00a0but it didn&#8217;t correct the defect.<\/p>\n<h2>What Kind of Damages Can You Demand for Your Manufacturing Defect?<\/h2>\n<p>If you were in an auto accident because of a vehicle defect, you can sue the manufacturer for damages. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/car-accidents\/what-kinds-of-damages-may-i-claim-for-car-accident-injuries.html\">types of damages<\/a> you collect will depend on the facts of your case.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the more common types of damages you may receive in your personal injury lawsuit include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Medical bills<\/li>\n<li>Future medical expenses<\/li>\n<li>Lost wages<\/li>\n<li>Lost future income<\/li>\n<li>Property damage<\/li>\n<li>Emotional distress<\/li>\n<li>Pain and suffering<\/li>\n<li>Punitive damages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You want to make sure your lawyer&#8217;s practice area is\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/personal-injury-plaintiff\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">personal injury<\/a>. You want to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to handle your claim correctly.<\/p>\n<p>This helpful\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/worksheet-damage-estimate.html\">damages worksheet<\/a>\u00a0can give you an idea of the kinds of damages you can demand. It also highlights the documentation you&#8217;ll need to prevail against the defendant.<\/p>\n<h2>Get Legal Help With a Vehicle Defect or Recall<\/h2>\n<p>Automobile accidents can be traumatic\u00a0and,\u00a0sometimes,\u00a0deadly. Most accidents result from driver error, impaired driving, or bad road conditions. However, a vehicle defect can also cause severe accidents and injuries. Vehicle safety is the responsibility of the manufacturer.<\/p>\n<p>You may have a valid claim if you believe an automobile defect is to blame for your serious injury. FindLaw&#8217;s directory of <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/products-liability-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">products liability lawyers<\/a> can connect you with qualified legal advisors in your area. Select your state or city to review contact and ratings information for local experts. Your search results will also link you to additional details about the attorneys\u2019 experience with vehicle defect cases.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" 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20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div 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<fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    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          class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\"><div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    A lawyer can help seek fair compensation on your behalf\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Accident and injury claims are complex and insurance carriers have lawyers on their side\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    An attorney can help gather evidence and documentation to support your claim\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Get tailored legal advice and ask a lawyer questions about your accident. 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