Philadelphia Vehicle Defect Attorney

Most crashes occur because of driver error. However, some occur due to defects under the hood or car. When defective auto parts cause a crash, legal claims shift from standard negligence to product liability and transfer responsibility from drivers to auto and part manufacturers.

If a defective part caused a car crash in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia vehicle defect attorneys at Rosenbaum Injury Law can help you seek compensation from the parties that sold the product.

What Is a Vehicle Defect?

A vehicle defect refers to any flaw in design, assembly, or warnings that makes a car unreasonably dangerous.

Product defects usually fall into three main categories:

• Design defects are basic flaws in the vehicle’s design that make every produced unit dangerous. Examples include roofs that crush during rollovers or fuel tanks prone to fires in rear-end crashes.
• Manufacturing defects refer to errors during assembly that affect specific vehicles rather than a whole line (e.g., flawed brakes, weak welds, or broken airbag inflators).
• Marketing defects are based on deficient safety warnings or improper instructions about known risks.

Standard traffic accident claims require proving another driver acted carelessly. In contrast, product liability claims require proving that a part was defective and caused your harm, rather than proving corporate carelessness. Under Pennsylvania law, manufacturers can be held strictly liable for a defect even if they took reasonable precautions during manufacturing.

Other Claims Involving Product Defects

Strict liability is not the only legal avenue available in vehicle defect cases. Pennsylvania law also permits product liability claims centered on negligence, where plaintiffs must demonstrate that a manufacturer failed to use reasonable care throughout the design, manufacturing, or inspection process.

Additionally, victims can pursue claims for breach of warranty when a vehicle or component fails to fulfill express or implied safety promises. For instance, the implied warranty of merchantability ensures that a vehicle is reasonably fit for standard driving. When an essential part breaks down, a breach of warranty may occur. These legal theories provide alternative pathways to financial recovery alongside strict liability claims.

Common Vehicle Defects in Crash Cases

Product liability cases in Philadelphia often involve:

• Brake failures or sudden wheel lockups
• Tire blowouts caused by factory flaws
• Airbag errors, including deployment failures, delayed deployment, or accidental inflation
• Seatbelt failures that unlatch during crashes
• Steering flaws leading to sudden loss of vehicle control
• Accelerator defects causing unintended acceleration
• Structural roof failure during rollover crashes
• Flawed child safety seat latches or harness straps

Any defect that causes a severe accident can support product liability claim against the party who made or distributed it.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Product Defect Claim?

Product liability lawsuits can target several businesses in the manufacturing and sales chain:

• Vehicle manufacturers
• Auto part makers
• Wholesalers and regional distributors
• Auto dealerships under certain conditions

However, corporations aggressively defend against these cases. Manufacturers often use legal and technical experts who argue the part worked properly and blame the crash on driver error or outside factors. Winning these claims requires detailed technical analysis of the defective part, usually by engineering experts and accident reconstructionists.

If you suspect a dangerous vehicle defect contributed to your injuries, Rosenbaum Injury Law can review your claim. Call (215) 569-0200 today to schedule a consultation.