When consumers purchase cars, trucks, and other automotive vehicles, they have every reason to expect their vehicles to function safely and to provide adequate protection against harm in the event of an accident. Certainly, no one expects his or her car to be the cause of an accident due to a defective part. Unfortunately, however, defective automotive parts and products do exist, and they can contribute to devastating accidents.
The experienced, highly skilled personal injury attorneys of the law firm of Harrell & Nowak handle the full range of both auto accident and product liability cases, making us the ideal firm for victims injured due to defective auto products. Among the most commonly defective parts in cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and other vehicles are steering systems. At our law firm in New Orleans, defective steering litigation is handled expertly by our renowned car accident lawyers. If you or a member of your family has been injured due to a defective steering system, we would welcome the opportunity to represent you and fight for your right to compensation for the losses and expenses you have sustained.
Steering System Defects
Obviously, the ability to steer an automobile is fundamental to its safe operation. Any flaw in the steering system, including the hydraulic lines, the power steering pump, the steering rack, the pinion gear, the steering wheel, and other components, can impair that ability and put the occupants of the vehicle – not to mention the occupants of other vehicles on the road – at serious risk. In the worst cases, the vehicle becomes completely unresponsive to the driver’s attempts at controlling it, as the movement of the steering wheel loses all effect.
Product Liability Cases Involving Defective Steering Systems
In general, product liability cases tend to be quite different from other personal injury cases in that they bring into play the doctrine of strict liability. Whereas the success of most personal injury cases rest on the ability of the plaintiff’s attorney to present evidence demonstrating an act or multiple acts of negligence on the part the defendant, this burden does not exist in most product liability cases. This is because the flaw inherent in the design, manufacture, or marketing of a product is evidence enough of negligence. Therefore, a successful claim primarily depends upon showing that:
- The product in question was being used for its intended purpose at the time of the injury-causing accident;
- The flaw in the product was indeed responsible for the injury sustained by the victim;
- The injury resulted in demonstrable losses and expenses for which the injured victim should be compensated.
In the case of defective steering systems, any or all parties involved in the design, manufacture, warning literature, or installment of the system and its components can be held liable for injuries, depending on the nature of the defect.
Contact Harrell & Novak
To learn more about litigation arising from defective steering systems or to schedule an evaluation of your case, please contact the personal injury law firm of Harrell & Nowak today.