Motor vehicles are becoming more advanced and packed with sophisticated technology by the year. Yet, this technology doesn’t necessarily mean that automobiles have been made safer. In fact, seven of the 14 largest auto recalls occurred within the past decade. Recalls reached a record high in 2016.
The defect could be a safety belt that fails to lock, an airbag that fails to deploy during a crash, or a sudden, baffling surge in acceleration. These recalls have been linked to dozens of deaths and many more injuries.
If you have lingering concerns about a recent accident you or a loved one were involved in, you’ll be happy to know it costs you nothing to speak with an auto defect attorney at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, & Graifman or to pursue a defective vehicle lawsuit if necessary. In some cases, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or wrongful death benefits.
Do You Have a Defective Vehicle Lawsuit?
Do You Have a Case?
Let our experienced class action attorneys determine whether you have a case.
Defective vehicle lawsuits may pertain to the following issues:
Vehicle Recall Claims
If a vehicle defect is discovered, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the manufacturer may recall the vehicle. When there is a recall, car owners should bring their vehicles into the dealerships where the vehicles were purchased to receive a repair or replacement free of charge.
In states like New York and New Jersey, dealerships are legally required to notify vehicle owners of recalls and replace or repair recalled parts prior to selling their vehicles.
Your vehicle does not necessarily have to be the subject of a recall in order to win a defective vehicle lawsuit, but recall status is important to know, as it could affect the validity of your claim. You can search for a vehicle recall with your VIN number on the NHTSA website.
Dealer Warranty Claims
Used cars sold in New York and New Jersey may also be subject to state “lemon laws.” The law requires dealers to offer a written warranty that agrees to cover defects, free of charge, for 30 to 90 days or 1,000 to 4,000 miles. If the vehicle cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, the consumer is entitled to a full refund. Questions about the Lemon Law can be forwarded to the New York Attorney General or the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
Product Liability Manufacturing Claims
Manufacturers may be deemed liable for faulty or defective parts. Whether there is a design flaw or a problem with quality control in the plant, manufacturers are responsible for ensuring safe production prior to sending vehicles to the market.
The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has federal authority to order a recall on vehicles that fail to meet safety standards. Safety-related defects may include:
- Accelerator controls that break or stick
- Steering components that fracture, causing loss of control
- Faulty wiring systems that create a fire hazard
- Foot pedals that stick
- Airbags that fail to deploy
Other defects may contribute to problems like malfunctioning air conditioners, cosmetic blemishes, excessive oil consumption, or brake pad wear. While these issues are not necessarily safety-related, you may be able to pursue compensation through a false/misleading advertising or consumer fraud claim.
Are You Searching for Answers After a Motor Vehicle Accident?
Sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what happened in the moments before a crash, which is why many people call a personal injury lawyer to conduct a thorough investigation. A lawyer can look to see if there are existing class actions or mass torts to join – like the General Motors faulty ignition switch (MDL 2543), Ford Power Switch transmission (MDL 2814), or Toyota unintended acceleration (MDL 2151).
New class actions are filed all the time. A free consultation with an experienced auto defect lawyer will help you explore every avenue for success.
Choose a Winning Auto Defect Attorney
Auto defect attorney Gary S. Graifman has been winning class action lawsuits for over 30 years. He presided over a $14.5 million nationwide class action settlement in Robert Lubitz, et al. v. Daimler Chrysler Corp. The New Jersey Superior Court of Bergen County held the auto manufacturer liable for releasing vehicles with faulty, pulsating brakes from 1999-2004.
In another class action lawsuit, Nissan agreed to reimburse motorists $340 per brake replacement for brake and rotor defects in G35x model vehicles. While past successes are no guarantees of future victories, KGG Law’s track record demonstrates that our class action attorneys are highly accomplished in representing large classes of people against deep-pocketed corporations.
KGG Law works for you on a contingency basis, meaning all legal fees are paid out of successful recoveries. We require no up-front retainers or expenses in order to pursue your product liability case. Contact our class action lawsuit lawyers as soon as possible for a free case evaluation. We represent clients nationwide.