Defective Door Latch - Kentucky Defective Auto Products Lawyers
Most motorists never give a second thought to whether their car door will open correctly in an emergency or cause more serious injuries to occur in a car accident. However, defective door latches in car doors can be defectively designed or manufactured, leading to the inability of an occupant of the vehicle to escape or leading to a door opening unintentionally throwing a motorist from the vehicle into the roadway.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration issues several recalls regarding door latches on a consistent basis. While there are manufacturing standards required of vehicles, accidents continue to occur due to faulty and defectively manufactured door latches.
Types of Door Latch Manufacturing Defects
Every occupant of a vehicle should be able to exit a vehicle immediately after an accident quickly. Any defect in a door latch will prevent the quick exit from a vehicle, which could lead to additional injuries such as burns, or being involved in a secondary accident if another car collides with the stationary vehicle. Some of the types of door latch manufacturing defects that occur include:
- Door latches not unlocking with key fobs
- Door latches not unlocking with keys
- Door latches locking without the owner intentionally locking the door
- Door latches jamming or failing to close properly
- Door latches not staying closed, causing a passenger to be thrown from a vehicle
- Door latches failing to open following an accident
Who is Held Liable for Injuries Resulting From a Defective Door Latch?
If a product enters the stream of commerce, or the marketplace, and is defectively designed, or has a manufacturing flaw or defect, that results in an injury, the victim will have a case under product liability law. In these cases, the designer or manufacturer can be held liable for any injuries or damages suffered as a result of the defective door latch.
Additionally, if inferior materials were used to construct the door latch resulting in an accident, the maker, designer, or manufacturer of that door latch will also be held liable under the law. Finally, if a company or entity repaired a door latch incorrectly, the victim may be able to hold that mechanic or car repair shop also liable for their injuries.
In some cases, if a door latch is part of a large product recall, there may already be a class-action lawsuit in progress, which is where several victims suffering from the same defective door latch come together in a lawsuit to obtain compensation and justice for their injuries.
Contact an Experienced Attorney for a Defective Door Latch Lawsuit
Defective door latch lawsuits can be legally complex and challenging to pursue. You will need to develop a strong case, preserve critical evidence, and possibly hire expert witnesses regarding the specific manufacturing defects involved.
If you were involved in a car accident in which a defective door latch caused you or your loved one more serious injuries, contact the experienced product liability attorneys at Dallas & Turner, PLLC today. Defectively manufactured automobile parts cause thousands of accidents every year and are completely preventable.
We can help you build a strong case and help you get the compensation you deserve. Never worry about paying us upfront, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we never get paid unless we win the case on your behalf.
Contact an experienced product liability attorney today at 859-630-0666 today, or use our FREE online case submission form to schedule a FREE consultation.