When you think of the causes of car accidents, you probably think of driving under the influence and failing to follow speed limits.
People often forget that vehicle malfunctions can also cause car accidents. A critical question develops when a defective vehicle or vehicle part causes an accident: who’s liable?
New Mexico law provides a path for holding responsible parties accountable in a defective vehicle lawsuit. Tawney, Acosta, & Chaparro P.C. can help you navigate the complexities of these cases and fight for the justice you deserve.
Our experienced attorneys have a proven track record of success in securing maximum compensation for victims of defective vehicle accidents.
Who Might Be Liable in a Defective Vehicle Lawsuit?
Determining fault in a car accident caused by a defective part hinges on the case’s specifics. Liability could fall on the manufacturer, a repair shop, or even the car’s owner, depending on the nature of the defect.
Read on to learn more about possible responsible parties.
Vehicle Manufacturers
Car accidents caused by defective parts can sometimes point back to the manufacturer. Automakers have a legal duty to ensure their vehicles meet established safety standards.
This duty includes adhering to industry standards during the manufacturing and design phases. Failure to meet these standards can constitute a breach of this duty.
There are two main types of defects that can originate with the manufacturer:
- Manufacturing Defects. These occur during the vehicle’s assembly and can involve faulty materials, improper installation of components, or assembly errors. For example, a brake system malfunction due to a defective part could be a manufacturing defect.
- Design Defects. These are inherent flaws in the vehicle’s design, even if nothing is wrong with the parts. An example might be a roof design that fails to protect occupants in a rollover accident.
However, simply demonstrating a defect isn’t enough. You’ll also need to establish a clear connection between the defect and the accident. You must prove the defect caused the malfunction that directly led to the crash. Finally, you must show you suffered damages from the accident, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Maintenance and Repair Shops
Regular vehicle maintenance is crucial for safety on the road. However, unforeseen issues can also arise. In such cases, repair shops are responsible for identifying and addressing existing defects with the care a reasonable mechanic would exercise.
If a repair shop fails in this duty and their negligence leads to a defect causing an accident with resulting damages, they could be liable.
For example, imagine a mechanic overlooks a failing steering wheel component during a routine inspection. If this oversight subsequently contributes to a loss of vehicle control and an accident, the repair shop could be responsible for the damages.
Here, proving liability would involve demonstrating the shop’s negligence in failing to identify the defect, that a reasonable mechanic would have detected the defect under the circumstances, the connection between the defect and the accident, and the resulting damages suffered.
Vehicle Owner
While drivers have a primary responsibility to operate their vehicles safely, they must also ensure their cars are roadworthy, which includes taking the vehicle for necessary repairs and inspections. Failing to take a car for essential maintenance or inspections could be considered a breach of this duty.
In some cases, a car owner’s negligence regarding maintenance might contribute to an accident and subsequent damages. For instance, ignoring warning lights on the dashboard that indicate a critical system malfunction could be seen as a failure to maintain a safe vehicle. If this leads to an accident, the owner might share some or all of the liability.
However, it’s important to note that proving such a connection requires a clear link between the owner’s negligence, the resulting defect, and the accident itself.
What If I Am Partly at Fault for the Accident?
New Mexico is a pure comparative negligence state. Contributory negligence does not bar financial recovery. Even if you are partly at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation for your injuries. However, the court will reduce your recoverable compensation depending on your assigned percentage of fault.
For example, if you’re found to be 20% at fault for a car accident and your total damages are $100,000, you would receive $80,000 in compensation (80% of $100,000). Pure comparative fault allows for a fair distribution of responsibility.
Tawney, Acosta, & Chaparro P.C. understands comparative negligence and can fight to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve, even if you share some blame.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
The statute of limitations, a legal deadline for filing lawsuits, requires plaintiffs to file their lawsuit within a certain amount of time after the accident. In New Mexico, personal injury claims, including those arising from car accidents, have a three-year statute of limitations.
Missing this deadline could significantly hinder your ability to seek compensation. Unless certain exceptions apply, if you miss this three-year deadline, you generally won’t be able to recover any compensation for your injuries.
Therefore, it’s imperative to secure the aid of a seasoned car accident attorney as soon as possible. Don’t delay – contact an attorney as quickly as possible to discuss your case.
Protecting Your Rights After a Defective Vehicle Accident
Navigating a defective vehicle lawsuit can be complex. At Tawney, Acosta, & Chaparro P.C., we understand the emotional and financial toll a car accident can take.
Our dedicated team of New Mexico personal injury attorneys possesses extensive experience holding manufacturers, repair shops, and even car owners accountable for defective parts that cause accidents.
With decades of combined legal experience, our lawyers have the knowledge, resources, and dedication to secure maximum client compensation. If you or a loved one have been in a car accident because of a defective part, don’t wait to fight for what you deserve.
Contact Tawney, Acosta, & Chaparro P.C. today for a free consultation. We’ll work tirelessly to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Daisy Chaparro
Daisy Chaparro was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. A graduate from El Dorado High School in 2008 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy from St. Mary’s University in 2012. Daisy then obtained her Juris Doctorate (magna cum laude) from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2015.
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