According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 41,000 people nationwide were killed in car accidents in 2007. Another 2.5 million people in the United States were injured in motor vehicle crashes during this same time period. Many of these devastating accidents were triggered by automobile, van or truck defects. Common vehicle design, manufacturing and installation defects include:

• Airbag defects: Airbags are designed for individuals approximately 5’8” in height and weighing 180 pounds. Airbags also cause injuries when they fail to deploy, deploy with too much force, inflate at the wrong angle, inflate too slowly or deploy when they should not.
• Large vans: Fifteen-passenger vans more than any other automobile on the road are likely to be involved in single-vehicle rollover accidents. The problem with these vans, and their 12- and 10-passenger relatives, is a high center of gravity and too-short wheelbase make them prone to tipping over. Many also offer poor roof crush resistance, lack head restraints and have poorly designed seatbelt systems.
• Vehicle fires: There are about 300,000 automobile fires each year, killing approximately 500 people and injuring thousands more. Equipment failure is a leading cause of ignition. Mechanical problems resulting from faulty vehicle design include leaks or breaks in vehicle components, automatic or manual control failures, electrical failures and placement of flammable liquids near vehicle exhaust systems. Improperly installed devices also lead to automobile fires.
• Child safety seats: According to the NHTSA, car accidents are the leading cause of death among children ages two through 14 years. While infant and child safety seats and booster seats reduce the risk of fatalities, they are unfortunately plagued by frequent safety recalls. Common defects include poor construction, attachment failures, flammable or other hazardous components, defective harnesses and unsafe designs that put children at risk.
• Tire defects: Over the last several decades, manufacturers have recalled more than 24 million tires due to safety defects. Poor construction, faulty design and inferior materials can lead to dangerous blowouts and tread separation.
• Other dangerous defects include crashworthiness and roof crush failures, brake defects, seat belt design and installation flaws and SUV design flaws.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of an automobile defect, it is crucial to consult with an experienced product liability lawyer as soon as possible. Our skilled trial lawyers can help you secure all of the compensation to which you may be entitled. This may include compensation for pain and suffering, financial loss, emotional distress and past, current and future medical expenses. In some cases, you may also be entitled to punitive damages for another party’s wrongdoing. Our dedicated attorneys can help you deal with your insurance company, as well as the insurer of the other party or parties. The insurance companies have lawyers working hard to minimize their payouts; you need a lawyer who will work just as hard for you.

At Feldman Shepherd, we are committed to helping our clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey obtain the best possible recovery as expeditiously as possible. We are here to serve you with hard work, attention to detail and a caring approach tailored to your individual needs. If we may be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us today.