Can You Sue for a Defective Car Part After a Crash?

Yes, you can sue for a defective car part after a crash if the defect caused or worsened your injuries. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, you may file a product liability claim against the car manufacturer, parts manufacturer, or other potentially liable parties. However, proving a vehicle defect caused the crash can be difficult when manufacturers blame driver error or another cause.

At Todd Miner Law, we preserve the faulty vehicle, review maintenance records, and consult accident reconstruction specialists to determine how the part failed. Then, we identify the responsible parties and pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Call 407-894-1480 today for a free consultation.

Can You File a Claim If a Defective Car Part Caused Your Car Accident?

Yes, you can file a product liability claim when a car part was defective, the defect caused or contributed to your injuries, and you suffered measurable damages. To pursue this claim, you must also establish if the part had a design defect, manufacturing defect, or inadequate warning.

Here’s how each type of defect can support your claim:

1. Design Defect

A design defect occurs if a car’s original design makes it unreasonably dangerous, even when manufactured correctly. Since the problem comes from the design itself, the same risk may affect multiple vehicles. For example, a poorly designed braking system may overheat during normal driving and cause the driver to lose braking power.

2. Manufacturing Defect

Manufacturing flaws develop during production rather than during the design stage. An error in materials, assembly, or quality control can make a particular component unsafe despite a safe original design. For instance, improperly manufactured steering components may break unexpectedly, causing the driver to lose control and crash.

3. Failure to Warn

Manufacturers must provide adequate instructions and warnings about known or foreseeable risks associated with their products. A failure-to-warn claim may arise if the company fails to communicate an important danger. If an automaker knew an airbag could deploy unexpectedly during normal driving but failed to warn vehicle owners, injured drivers may have grounds for a claim.

Who Is Liable for a Defective Auto Part?

A car manufacturer, parts manufacturer, distributor, dealership, or repair shop may be liable for a defective car part. The responsible party depends on where the defect entered the supply chain and what caused the component to fail. In some cases, multiple parties may share liability for the same defective vehicle and resulting injuries.

Here’s why these parties may share responsibility:

• Car manufacturer: The automaker may approve an unsafe vehicle design, install a known defective component, or fail to correct a recurring safety problem.
• Parts manufacturer: The company may produce faulty brakes, airbags, tires, or steering components that fail because of design or manufacturing errors.
• Distributor: A distributor may continue supplying a defective auto part after receiving complaints, safety notices, or information about recurring failures.
• Dealership: A dealership may sell a vehicle with an open safety issue or fail to complete a required recall repair before delivery.

Can You Sue Both the Driver and Car Manufacturer?

Yes, you can sue both the driver and the car manufacturer if driver negligence and a vehicle defect contributed to the same car accident. For example, a speeding driver may cause the initial collision, while an airbag malfunction worsens your injuries.

When both parties share responsibility, you can pursue compensation from each for the damages their actions caused. Florida generally assigns fault among responsible parties under Florida Statutes § 768.81, so each defendant pays according to their share of responsibility.

Which Defective Car Parts Can Cause Crashes?

Defective brakes, tires, steering systems, airbags, accelerators, and electrical components can cause or worsen car crashes. Some defective car parts prevent drivers from controlling or stopping their vehicles. Others fail during impact, increasing the severity of injuries.

Some other car parts that may cause or contribute to crashes include:

• Suspension components: A failed control arm, ball joint, or spring can affect stability and make the vehicle difficult to control.
• Wheel assemblies: Defective hubs, bearings, or lug components can cause wheel separation or sudden handling problems.
• Fuel system parts: Faulty fuel lines or tanks can increase the risk of fires after a collision.
• Transmission components: Sudden gear failure or loss of power can create dangerous driving conditions.
• Headlights and brake lights: Defective lighting can reduce visibility and make it harder for other drivers to react.
• Windshield wipers: Failed wipers can severely limit visibility in rain and increase the risk of crashes.

Does a Vehicle Recall Prove the Part Was Defective?

Yes, a vehicle recall can help establish that a manufacturer identified a safety defect affecting a particular car part or group of vehicles. However, the recall does not automatically prove that your specific vehicle contained that defect or that it caused your car accident and injuries.

You must still show that your vehicle was covered by the recall, contained the affected part, and experienced the same type of failure. In addition, you must connect that failure to the crash or the injuries you suffered.

How Todd Miner Law Investigates a Defective Part Claim?

At Todd Miner Law, we secure the vehicle before its condition changes, obtain records tied to the defective component, and trace the failed part through the supply chain. Then, we use those findings to determine how the defect occurred and build the product liability claim.

Here are some additional steps we take during the investigation process:

1. Gather Evidence

We gather evidence to establish that the car part failed before or during the crash and contributed to your injuries. Since some records may be difficult to access, we can use subpoenas and formal discovery to obtain them. Depending on your case, we may collect:

• Accident scene photos showing vehicle damage, tire blowout, and debris
• Dashcam or surveillance footage capturing the moments before impact
• Event data recorder information showing speed, braking, and accelerator activity
• Vehicle diagnostic records showing warning lights and recorded fault codes
• Maintenance records documenting inspections and service history
• Recall notices involving the same vehicle model or car part
• NHTSA complaints reporting similar failures in other vehicles
• Vehicle identification numbers and part numbers tracing the failed component
• Medical records connecting the crash to your injuries and treatment

2. Determine What Caused the Part to Fail

In the next step, we determine why the car part failed and if the problem came from its design, manufacturing, or warnings. We work with engineers and accident reconstruction specialists to separate a true vehicle defect from normal wear, poor maintenance, or damage caused during the crash.

3. Identify All Responsible Parties

Once we determine how the part failed, we trace who designed, manufactured, supplied, sold, or installed it. This helps us identify every party that may be held liable for the part failure and increases the available compensation.

4. Review the Manufacturer’s Internal Records

Through formal discovery, we can request internal records related to the defective car part. These may include engineering reports, safety tests, quality-control records, design changes, and internal complaints. Such records can reveal when the manufacturer learned about the problem and how the company responded.

5. Connect the Car Defect to Your Injuries

Finally, we review medical records and crash findings to establish how the defective part caused or worsened your injuries. For complex cases, we may consult medical specialists who can explain the connection between the part failure, its impact, and the suffered injuries.

Do You Need the Defective Part to File a Claim?

No, you do not always need the defective part to file a product liability claim. However, preserving it can significantly strengthen your case by allowing specialists to examine the failed component.

For this reason, keep the suspected car part and vehicle in their post-crash condition until your attorney can review them. Repairs, replacements, or disposal can remove important details about how the part failed and make it challenging to prove that a vehicle defect contributed to the crash.

How Is a Failed Car Part Tested After a Crash?

A failed car part is tested after a crash through physical inspection, diagnostic testing, and specialized engineering analysis. Experts examine the defective part for fractures, wear, deformation, or manufacturing flaws. They may also check whether its materials, dimensions, and performance match the manufacturer’s design requirements to identify where and why the part failed.

Here’s what this testing process can reveal:

• Distinguish a true vehicle defect from normal wear and tear
• Show if the car part failed before impact or sustained damage during the collision
• Identify a design defect, manufacturing flaw, or material weakness
• Establish how the failed component contributed to the loss of control or the collision
• Reveal poor maintenance or another issue that contributed to the part failure

Who Pays for Testing a Defective Car Part?

You or your attorney may initially cover the cost of testing a defective car part, depending on your fee agreement and case arrangements. If you hire a product liability attorney on a contingency basis, the law firm may advance the costs of expert services and testing. The firm may then recover those expenses from a successful settlement or verdict.

However, the required testing depends on the suspected failure. For example, faulty brakes may require a different specialist than defective airbags or steering failures. Therefore, you should discuss case expenses before authorizing testing.

At Todd Miner Law, we can determine which specialists your defective car part claim requires and explain how case-related costs will be handled before moving forward. Call 407-894-1480 to schedule a free consultation with our legal team.

Do Vehicle Modifications Affect Product Liability?

Yes, vehicle modifications can affect product liability. A manufacturer may dispute your defective car part claim if aftermarket components or alterations changed the vehicle’s original design. However, a modification does not automatically prevent you from pursuing compensation.

Instead, liability depends on whether the modification contributed to the part failure or made the vehicle unsafe. For example, oversized wheels can place additional strain on braking or suspension components. Similarly, changes to steering, electrical, or airbag systems can interfere with the function of the original safety components.

What If the Defective Vehicle Part Was Recently Repaired?

If the defective part was recently repaired, the repair shop or mechanic may share liability. For example, a repair shop may be held responsible if a mechanic incorrectly installs brake components or fails to tighten critical connections.

Similarly, the shop may be liable if it identifies a dangerous problem but fails to warn you of the potential risks. However, a recent repair does not automatically shift responsibility away from the manufacturer. If the replacement part was defective before installation, the manufacturer or supplier may still face a product liability claim.

To determine whether the repair contributed to the failure, our attorneys may review repair records, including:

• Repair invoices showing the work performed and parts replaced
• Work orders describing the mechanic’s repairs and findings
• Parts receipts identifying the replacement part and its supplier
• Technician notes documenting problems found during the repair
• Service records showing previous repairs to the same car part
• Repair warranties covering the work or replacement component

Can a Passenger File a Defective Car Part Claim?

Yes, a passenger can file a defective car part claim if a vehicle defect caused or worsened their injuries. They may pursue claims against the automaker, parts manufacturer, or another responsible party. If driver negligence also contributed to the accident, the passenger may file a separate claim against that driver.

Can Similar Defective Vehicle Lawsuits Help Show a Defect Pattern?

Yes, similar lawsuits can help show a pattern of defects when they involve the same vehicle model, car part, and type of failure. For example, repeated claims involving the same brake failure may show that the problem was not unique to your car.

Moreover, evidence from similar lawsuits may also prove that the manufacturer knew about the recurring defect but failed to address the safety risk. In some cases, federal courts may consolidate similar lawsuits into multidistrict litigation (MDL).

This process allows one court to coordinate on shared pretrial issues, which can make complex defective-vehicle lawsuits more efficient and consistent. For example, numerous lawsuits involving defective Takata airbag inflators were consolidated into multidistrict litigation in the Southern District of Florida.

What Defenses Do Car Manufacturers Commonly Raise?

Car manufacturers’ insurers commonly argue that driver error, poor maintenance, or an unauthorized vehicle modification caused the car accident rather than a defective part. They may also claim the defect developed after the vehicle left their control or that the car part did not cause your injuries, weakening your product liability claim.

Here are some other defenses insurers may raise in defective vehicle lawsuits:

• The owner ignored maintenance requirements: Maintenance records may show missed inspections or repairs, allowing the manufacturer to blame poor vehicle care for the failure.
• Another party caused the crash: The defense may blame other vehicles, another driver, or multiple parties for causing the collision and resulting injuries.
• The owner knew about the potential risks: Prior complaints, recall information, or adequate instructions may support an argument that the owner knew about the danger.
• The claim was filed too late: The manufacturer may argue that Florida’s statute of limitations bars the product liability lawsuit.
• The crash damaged the part: The manufacturer may argue that the car part was working properly before the accident and was damaged by the collision.

Did a Faulty Car Part Contribute to Your Crash? Call Us to File a Claim Against the Manufacturer!

After a car crash caused by a malfunctioning part, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, and emotional distress. However, these claims are rarely straightforward because manufacturers have experienced defense teams. These teams may use different tactics to pressure you into accepting a lower settlement or deny your claim altogether.

At Todd Miner Law, our lawyers have experience handling product liability claims across Orlando and Central Florida. We gather key evidence, use strategic negotiations, and prepare your case for court if the manufacturer refuses to offer fair compensation.

Our strategic approach has earned recognition from Florida Legal Elite, Martindale-Hubbell, and other respected legal organizations. Call 407-894-1480 or visit 915 Outer Rd, Orlando, FL 32814, to discuss your defective car part claim with our legal team.

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