Texas Auto Defects Lawyer

Have you sustained a serious injury as a result of an automobile defect or faulty auto part? Car accidents are not always caused by driver errors.

Automobiles and trucks are constructed of thousands of parts. If your vehicle has a design defect or a manufacturing defect, it can interfere with the vehicle’s performance and cause a serious accident leading to injuries or deaths.

The personal injury lawyers at Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. represent victims of accidents caused by defective automobiles and auto parts and their families.

Our experienced Corpus Christi car accident attorneys will review the facts of your accident and explain your legal options free of charge during an initial consultation. We will treat you with compassion and respect.

If your injuries are severe and make it too hard for you to visit our office, we can meet with you at your home or other location convenient to you. If your auto defect is the type of case that we take, we will offer to handle your case on a contingency fee basis.

You will not owe a legal fee or expenses unless we are successful in obtaining money for you. Contact our personal injury attorneys for a free consultation.

How We Will Help If You Have Been Harmed by an Auto Defect

Product liability claims are complex to pursue. An auto defect may not be pinpointed by police as the cause of an accident during the initial investigation.

The identification of auto defects requires committed injury attorneys with experience investigating defective product claims and the resources to follow the investigation wherever it leads. At Herrman & Herrman, our attorneys have experience handling these types of injury cases. We have the resources to take on auto manufacturers and parts suppliers and hold them accountable.

Under Texas law, an injury victim must show that the automobile or automotive component in question was defective, that the product was not modified after it left the manufacturer, that the defect made the product unreasonably dangerous and that the defect caused your injury.

We do a thorough investigation of how the accident occurred. We may consult with automobile technical experts who can analyze why a component failed and provide evidence to support your claim. We will identify all the potentially responsible parties in the supply chain from parts maker to distributor to the auto manufacturer.

Our attorneys will develop an estimate of your total losses from the auto defect by calculating your medical bills, anticipated future medical costs, lost wages, and future losses if you are unable to go back to work. We will present a claim reflecting the total amount of your losses to the insurance company or companies representing the automaker.

 

We will negotiate vigorously for a settlement that reflects the full value of your claim. If we receive a settlement offer, we will discuss it with you. We will offer our opinion about whether the offer seems reasonable. It will be up to you to decide whether to accept it.

Our attorneys are effective in settling most cases without going to trial. If an insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement in a product liability case, our attorneys are committed to fighting for you. We will file a civil lawsuit, after discussing it with you, and seek justice through the court system.

Common Types of Auto Defects

Defects often exist in a group of vehicles of the same design from certain model years. Defects also may occur in numerous makes and models that contain the same component from a parts supplier.

The auto defects often identified in product liability lawsuits include:

• Defective airbags
• Faulty ignition switches that cause sudden loss of power
• Seat belt failure
• Defective tires that have tread separation or blow out
• Gas tank defects
• Steering components that break
• Accelerator controls that cause unintended acceleration
• Wiring system problems that cause loss of headlights or fire
• Seat backs that fail unexpectedly

If the auto manufacturer discovers a safety defect, the manufacturer must notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), auto dealers, and vehicle owners.

If the NHTSA receives similar reports from a number of people about an automotive problem, it may investigate whether a safety defect exists and a recall should be ordered. In many cases, the manufacturer will voluntarily initiate a recall. The manufacturer is required to correct the defect at no charge to the owner.

The problem is that many defects remain unknown until serious accidents have occurred and people have been seriously injured or killed. In some cases, the manufacturer fails to warn adequately of the danger of a safety defect that it is aware of or fails to issue a recall notice or warning.

Recent Vehicle Recalls: What You Need to Know

In recent years, Ford and other manufacturers have issued significant recalls due to various safety concerns. Here’s a comprehensive overview of notable recalls, including the make, models, and reasons for these actions.

Ford Recalls

Ford has had numerous recalls affecting multiple models. Here are some of the key recalls:

• 2012 – 2014 Ford Fiesta (built in Mexico) – Faulty door latch that may allow the door to open while driving.
• 2013 – 2014 Ford Fusion (built in Mexico) – Faulty door latch with similar risks.
• 2013 – 2014 Lincoln MKZ (built in Mexico) – Also affected by the faulty door latch issue.
• 2013-2014 Ford Taurus – Defective axle that may prevent starting or cause the vehicle to roll unexpectedly.
• 2013-2014 Lincoln MKS – Similar axle defect that could lead to dangerous situations.
• 2013-2014 Police Interceptor Sedans – Affected by the same axle issue.
• 2013-2014 Ford Flex – Defective axle, posing the same risks as above.
• 2013-2014 Lincoln MKT – Also has the defective axle concern.
• 2012-2014 Ford Edge – Defective axle that may prevent starting or cause rolling.
• 2014 Lincoln MKX – Also affected by the defective axle issue.
• 2021 Ford F-150 – Potential failure of the rearview camera to display an image.
• 2020-2021 Ford Explorer – Potential brake fluid leaks that could reduce braking performance.
• 2019-2021 Ford Ranger – Cracking fuel tank that could lead to fuel leaks and fire hazards.
• 2021 Ford Bronco Sport – Problems with the rear axle that could cause a loss of stability.
• 2020-2022 Ford Escape – Potential fuel line issues that could lead to fuel leaks.

Other Notable Recalls

Ford is not alone in facing recalls. Other manufacturers have also issued important recalls:

• Toyota: Various models, including the 2016-2018 RAV4 and 2018 RAV4 Hybrid, have been recalled for airbag issues related to faulty inflators that may not deploy correctly during a crash.
• Honda: Models such as the 2018-2020 Accord and 2017-2020 CR-V are affected by potential fuel pump failures that could lead to engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
• General Motors: Recalls have been issued for models like the 2014-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra 1500 due to ignition switch problems that may inadvertently turn off the engine and affect steering and braking control, as well as transmission issues causing unexpected gear shifts.
• Chrysler (Stellantis): Models including the 2019-2021 Jeep Cherokee and 2019-2021 Ram 1500 have issues related to rearview camera malfunctions that may prevent the camera from displaying the rear view, increasing the risk of backing accidents.
• Nissan: Recalls for models like the 2016-2021 Nissan Altima and 2018-2020 Nissan Rogue have been issued due to brake fluid leaks that could lead to a reduction in braking performance, posing a safety hazard.

If you own one of these affected vehicles or have been injured due to a door latch failure or any other defect, it’s crucial to seek legal advice. The experienced team at Herrman & Herrman in Texas is here to assist you. Call 361-882-4357 to discuss your situation and explore your legal options. Your safety matters, and you deserve to know your rights.

CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:

Our Texas personal injury lawyers help clients who have suffered injuries in various accidents.

We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:

• Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.

• Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.

• Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.

• Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.

• Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.

• Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.

• Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.

ABOUT HERRMAN & HERRMAN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS

With over 100 years of combined experience among the legal team of Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., our Texas personal injury attorneys have successfully resolved over 20,000 cases. When representing injured Texas residents, we fight for justice against wrongdoing and aggressively pursue the best resolution to complex personal injury claims.

If you or a loved one was injured, please get in touch with us for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., is a locally based law firm that holds negligent individuals and companies accountable for their wrongdoing. We are not a personal injury mill that advertises nationwide. We provide individualized advocacy in attending to all aspects of claims that involve. Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Dallas, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Ft. Worth, TX.

We remain by our client’s side, handling all aspects of their claims and attending to all legal, medical, and financial needs. That dedication combines experience, legal knowledge, and insight from a former insurance adjuster and several former insurance defense attorneys. Whether our clients suffer from physical pain from an accident or the emotional grief of death, we treat clients with compassion. We put their mind at ease during difficult times by answering their questions concerning the length of their claim, medical bills, financial compensation, and their overall need for a lawyer.