Hundreds Of Thousands Of Automobiles Recalled This Summer Due To Defects
In the past month, numerous popular automobile manufacturers have issued recalls for vehicles sold in West Virginia and around the world. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been cracking down on automakers across the U.S. and is mandating easier tracking systems for car owners to assess whether their cars have defective auto parts.
In the past few days, the NHTSA announced that it will soon require all automobile recalls be searchable by individual vehicle identification numbers (VINs). Rather than relying on mass mailings or press releases, every owner or potential car purchaser can look up recall notices for each specific vehicle.
Defective products cause millions of personal injuries and wrongful deaths every year. Over 300 hundred West Virginians lose their lives in automobile accidents each year and a portion of those fatal accidents may be attributable to defective auto parts.
A federal judge recently approved a record $1 billion settlement between Toyota and millions of Toyota automobile owners. Sudden and uncontrollable accelerations have been blamed for thousands of personal injuries and hundreds of death and Toyota recalled more than 14 million of its vehicles, affecting nearly 22 million consumers. The first wrongful death trial is currently underway and may prove that the automaker is responsible.
Common Automobile Defects
Toyota is not the only auto manufacturer subject to recalls. Just this summer, General Motors submitted its eighth recall for issues with the Chevrolet Cruze, a popular compact sedan. Suzuki is recalling over 350,000 vehicles made in China due to oil leakage issues and, next month, BMW will began recalling nearly 150,000 5-series cars made in the past three years because of defective plugs that pose safety issues.
Automobile accidents due to defective auto parts – and the personal injuries resulting from those accidents – are far too frequent. Recalls of new or recently manufactured vehicles are commonly based on issues with the following mechanisms:
- Power steering
- Brakes
- Air bags
- Fuel tanks and lines
- Transmission systems
A Lawyer Can Help
If you or a loved one is injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver or a defective automobile part, consult an experienced personal injury attorney. A lawyer knowledgeable about bringing claims against manufacturers of defective products, as well as claims against dangerous or inattentive drivers, may be able to help you obtain compensation for your losses. Compensable losses may include lost wages, medical expense reimbursement, payment of future medical care, pain and suffering, loss of companionship and other expenses or damages.