Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord damage
Paralysis
Burn injuries
Internal organ damage
Broken bones
Crush injuries
Severe cuts and scarring
Neck and back injuries
Amputations
Permanent impairment
Emotional and psychological trauma
You expected the brakes to respond, the airbags to deploy, and the safety systems to perform as promised. Some should be held accountable for your injuries. That’s what the personal injury attorneys at the Tefteller Law Firm are here for.
Was a Defective Vehicle Responsible for Your Accident?
Vehicle defects are not always obvious at the scene of a crash.
A tire may separate without warning. A seat belt can unlatch during impact. A roof may collapse in a rollover. An airbag may fail to deploy or deploy when it should not.
Determining whether a defect contributed to an injury requires more than reviewing a police report. It may require preserving the vehicle, examining damaged components, reviewing maintenance records, and working with qualified experts who understand vehicle design and crash performance.
Our Tyler vehicle defect attorneys build cases around the question:
Did the vehicle or one of its components fail to protect you as it reasonably should have?
Dangerous Vehicle Injuries You Can Receive Compensation For:
Possible Compensation in a Tyler Vehicle Defect Claim
Medical Costs
Compensation may cover emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, medication, and reasonably anticipated future care.
Lost Income
If your injuries prevent you from working, your claim may include lost wages and other employment-related losses.
Reduced Earning Ability
A permanent injury may limit the work you can perform or shorten your career. We consider how the injury could affect your long-term ability to earn a living.
And More
Compensation may be available for physical pain, emotional distress, catastrophic injuries, and other injuries.
Common Vehicle Defect Cases Our Attorneys Handle
Defective Cars, Trucks, and SUVs
A defect can cause a collision or make the injuries from an otherwise survivable crash much worse. Potential cases may involve:
Brake system failures
Defective tires and tread separation
Steering malfunctions
Faulty accelerators
Airbag failures
Seat belt and buckle defects
Roof crush during rollovers
Weak seats and seatback collapse
Fuel system defects and post-collision fires
Defective doors or latches
Electrical system failures
Inadequate occupant protection
Commercial Trucks and Buses
Defective components in an 18-wheeler, work truck, or passenger bus can endanger everyone nearby. These cases may involve faulty brakes, steering components, tires, coupling systems, underride protection, or other safety equipment.
Because commercial vehicle accidents can involve multiple companies, we examine whether responsibility rests with a manufacturer, parts supplier, maintenance provider, trucking company, or another party.
Defective Boats and Personal Watercraft
A boat or personal watercraft should be designed to operate safely when used as intended. Dangerous hull designs, steering failures, defective engines, fuel system problems, and inadequate warnings can lead to collisions, fires, ejections, and drowning incidents.
Our firm handles defect claims involving:
Fishing boats
Recreational boats
Jet skis and other personal watercraft
Boat engines and fuel systems
Steering and throttle components
Flotation and safety equipment
ATV and Side-by-Side Defects
ATVs and utility terrain vehicles are often used on East Texas properties and job sites. When one rolls over or loses control, the manufacturer may attempt to blame the operator or the terrain.
But some accidents are tied to vehicle instability or defective safety systems.
Potential problems include:
Unstable vehicle designs
Defective brakes or steering
Suspension failures
Inadequate roll cages
Faulty seat belts and restraint systems
Doors or nets that fail during a rollover
Fuel leaks and fire hazards
Missing or inadequate safety warnings
Why Choose Our Personal Injury Law Firm near Tyler, TX?
Schedule Consultation1
Prepared for Complex Claims
Defect cases can involve technical evidence, multiple corporations, and well-funded legal teams. We are prepared to dig into the details and build a case supported by evidence.
2
Resources to Investigate What Failed
We work to uncover the cause of the accident rather than accepting the first explanation offered by an insurer or manufacturer.
3
Personal Attention From a Texas Law Firm
You deserve clear answers and direct communication. Our team takes the time to understand how the injury has affected your life and keeps your needs at the center of the case.
4
Ready to Hold Major Companies Accountable
A manufacturer’s size should not shield it from responsibility. Tefteller Law is prepared to pursue claims against the companies whose unsafe products harm consumers.
Main Types of Vehicle Defects
Not every vehicle defect begins on the assembly line. A product can become unreasonably dangerous during its design, production, or sale.
Design Defects
A design defect affects the way a vehicle or component was planned. Every unit produced from that design may carry the same safety risk.
Examples may include a top-heavy side-by-side that rolls over too easily, a vehicle roof that cannot adequately withstand a rollover, or a fuel tank positioned where it is vulnerable during a collision.
Manufacturing Defects
A manufacturing defect occurs when a product is not built according to its intended design. Contaminated materials, incorrect assembly, missing fasteners, defective welds, or improperly installed components can turn an otherwise safe design into a dangerous product.
Warning and Instruction Defects
Manufacturers and sellers may also be held accountable when they fail to provide adequate safety warnings or clear instructions. This can include failing to disclose a known rollover risk, provide proper operating limitations, or warn consumers about a hazardous component.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vehicle Defect Claims
How do I know whether a vehicle defect caused my accident?
Warning signs may include sudden brake or steering failure, tire separation, an unexpected fire, an airbag that did not deploy, a seat belt that released, or excessive roof damage during a rollover. However, some defects are only discovered after an expert examines the vehicle and accident evidence.
Can I file a claim if the defect did not cause the original crash?
Potentially. A vehicle may contain a “crashworthiness” defect that did not cause the collision but made the resulting injuries more severe. Examples include a collapsed roof, failed seat belt, weak seatback, defective airbag, or unsafe fuel system.
What should I do with the vehicle after the accident?
Preserve it in its post-accident condition whenever possible. Do not authorize repairs, disposal, or destructive testing before discussing the case with an attorney. The vehicle itself may contain essential evidence.
Can I bring a claim if my vehicle was recalled?
A recall can be relevant, but it does not automatically prove a legal claim. Your attorney must still establish how the defect relates to the accident and injuries. A claim may also be possible even if no recall has been announced.
Who can be sued in a defective vehicle case?
Depending on the evidence, responsible parties may include the vehicle manufacturer, a component manufacturer, distributor, seller, repair facility, maintenance company, or commercial vehicle operator.
Are vehicle defect cases different from regular car accident claims?
Yes. A typical car accident claim focuses primarily on driver negligence. A vehicle defect case examines whether the vehicle or one of its components was unreasonably dangerous. Some accidents may involve both negligent driving and a defective product.
How long do I have to pursue a vehicle defect claim in Texas?
Legal deadlines apply, and the available time can depend on the facts of the case. Evidence may also disappear long before the filing deadline arrives. Speak with a Tyler vehicle defect attorney promptly so your situation can be evaluated.
What if the manufacturer blames me for the accident?
Manufacturers frequently argue that operator error, speed, terrain, maintenance, or another person caused the accident. Your attorney can investigate these arguments and determine whether a defect caused or contributed to your injuries.
How much is a defective vehicle injury claim worth?
The value depends on factors such as the severity of the injury, medical expenses, future care, lost earning capacity, available evidence, and the parties responsible. No attorney can responsibly determine a claim’s value without reviewing its specific facts.
You Deserve Justice
We Deliver It
You shouldn’t have to carry the financial and personal consequences of a manufacturer’s unsafe product alone.
If you or someone you love was injured by a defective vehicle, contact Tefteller Law, PLLC.
Schedule Consultation