Defective Vehicle Lawsuit

Vehicles have safety systems meant to reduce harm if an accident occurs. However, when a vehicle’s design is flawed, drivers and passengers face a higher risk of injury and death. Compensation from a defective vehicle lawsuit can help victims move forward after a serious accident. See if a top defective car attorney in our network can fight for you.

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Why Take Legal Action?

By filing a lawsuit, you can pursue financial compensation and justice from those who caused you or a loved one harm.

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Rae Theodore

Last updated: Jul 01, 2025

Understanding Auto Defect Lawsuits

Auto defect lawsuits are filed when problems with a vehicle’s design, manufacturing, or parts cause accidents or injuries.

Motor vehicles are supposed to be crashworthy. Crashworthiness refers to a vehicle’s ability to protect its occupants during an accident, including the strength of its structure and the effectiveness of its safety features such as airbags, seatbelts, and the roof.

Did you know?

In 2024 alone, there were more than 1,000 safety recalls impacting over 35 million vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

When car manufacturers cut corners to save money or fail to take safety seriously, they can cause severe injuries or even fatalities. A defective vehicle lawsuit can provide compensation while holding the negligent automakers accountable.

LawFirm.com works with personal injury lawyers who have secured over $10 billion for those injured through no fault of their own. They can even the playing field for everyday people and help car accident victims in all 50 states.

Get a free case review now to see if a defective car attorney in our network may be able to pursue the compensation you deserve.

Who Can a Defective Car Attorney Help?

Defective automobiles can lead to devastating, life-altering injuries that often require expensive medical treatment. Tragically, they can even result in the wrongful death of a loved one.

A defective car attorney can help families navigate the legal complexities of seeking compensation for the harm caused by a vehicle defect.

A car defect lawyer may be able to help if:

You or a loved one was in a motor vehicle accident
The crash led to serious injuries or death
Part of the vehicle failed to protect you during the crash

Your defective car attorney will investigate the accident to determine if a design defect or auto part played a role in your injuries.

Compensation from a defective vehicle lawsuit can cover medical bills, lost wages, and more. However, you only have a limited amount of time to file a defective vehicle lawsuit due to state deadlines called statutes of limitations, so it’s important to act quickly.

Types of Car Defects That Lead to Lawsuits

Auto defects come in many forms, and each can significantly impact the safety of a vehicle. Understanding the most common types of defects can help you identify if your personal injury may have been caused by a manufacturing or design flaw.

Brake and tire defects account for roughly 65% of auto defects associated with crashes, according to a 2024 study published by the National Library of Medicine.

Parts often involved in defective vehicle lawsuits include:

Airbags: Airbags are designed to deploy in the event of a crash to protect occupants from severe injuries. However, when they fail to work or deploy unexpectedly, they can cause serious harm.
Brakes: Defects in brake systems can lead to catastrophic injuries. Whether due to manufacturing flaws or design issues, faulty brakes can prevent a vehicle from stopping in time, leading to otherwise preventable collisions.
Door latches: If a car door latch malfunctions during a crash, the door can swing open, throwing occupants from the car.
Electronics: Modern vehicles rely heavily on electronic systems for everything from safety features to navigation. Defective electronic components, like malfunctioning sensors or faulty braking assist systems, can lead to auto accidents.
Fuel systems: Faulty fuel systems can cause fires or explosions in the event of a collision. Fuel tank leaks or improper design can lead to dangerous situations, increasing the risk of injury or death, especially in high-impact crashes.
Roofs: In the event of a car accident, the roof may collapse due to the lack of roll bars, modifications that weaken the roof structure, or weak materials. This can cause significant head, neck, and spinal cord injuries.
Seatbelts: Seatbelts are supposed to minimize injuries during a crash, but they can fail to secure the driver or passengers when they’re improperly designed. Seatbelt defects include faulty latching mechanisms, improper tensioning, or a lack of proper restraint during an accident.
Structure: The design and structure of a vehicle should protect occupants in a crash. If a vehicle’s frame, doors, or windows are poorly designed or improperly manufactured, they can fail to provide adequate protection during an accident, leading to severe injuries.
Tires: Tire blowouts or defects in tire construction can lead to loss of control and rollover accidents. When tires are defective, they may not provide adequate grip or durability, especially at high speeds or under harsh driving conditions.

If any of these manufacturing defects contributed to an accident that caused you or a loved one harm, a defective car attorney may be able to pursue the compensation you deserve.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or chat with a case manager to see if a top lawyer may be able to seek compensation from a defective vehicle lawsuit on your behalf.

Steps to File an Auto Defects Lawsuit

If an auto defect contributed to your injuries, filing a lawsuit may help you hold the vehicle manufacturer accountable and secure compensation for your damages.

A defective car attorney can handle each step in the legal process, so you can focus on your health and recovery.

Here are the basic steps involved in a defective vehicle lawsuit:

An auto defect attorney will provide a free case review, so you can find out if you may be able to take legal action for a car defect without any financial risk.
Your car accident defect lawyer will gather evidence like crash data, vehicle safety reports, and expert testimony to build a strong case. Even if the vehicle has been totaled, it’s important to preserve it.
Using this information, your legal team will file your car defect lawsuit against all at-fault parties before any deadlines.
Your auto defect attorney will work to secure as much compensation as quickly as possible through a defective vehicle lawsuit settlement.
In the rare event that your case doesn’t settle, they can argue your case in court and seek money from a trial verdict.

Most defective vehicle lawsuits resolve in settlements, which typically provide compensation faster and without the hassle of going to court.

“Four phone calls. It was super fast, it was super professional. Couldn’t have been happier with the process. And then on the fourth call, they had the check ready for the settlement.”

– Matt W., a car accident victim who worked with our partner law firm

Settlements & Verdicts Secured by Auto Defects Lawyers

Defective vehicle lawsuit settlements and verdicts have awarded substantial compensation to car crash victims and their families. While results will vary, a personal injury lawyer will fight for maximum compensation.

Notable car defect lawsuit payouts include:

$2.5 billion to the families of two victims who were killed in a crash involving a pickup truck with a collapsed roof
$977 million to a driver who became a quadriplegic after a rollover accident due to a seatbelt design that allowed for too much slack
Over $1.87 million for a wrongful death related to a defectively designed passenger compartment
$1.2 million to a driver injured in a truck accident
$1 million for a victim who suffered serious injuries in an SUV rollover due to a defective roof and seatbelt design
$2.75 million for a car accident that killed two people and seriously injured a third
$35 million to a driver ejected from a tractor-trailer after the brakes didn’t work and his seatbelt failed to restrain him, leading to injuries that caused quadriplegia

Factors that impact defective vehicle lawsuit settlement amounts include the number of defendants, the severity of your injury, and more. A defective car attorney can collect strong evidence to increase your chances of securing the money and justice you deserve.

Get a free case review now to see if one of our legal partners may be able to pursue a defective car settlement for you.

Get Help From a Defective Car Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to a defective vehicle, don’t wait to seek legal help.

Auto defect cases can be complex, but the right attorney can work to hold negligent manufacturers accountable and pursue the compensation you deserve.

The defective car attorneys we work with:

Can help car accident victims in all 50 states
Don’t charge any upfront costs or hourly fees
Have recovered over $10 billion for those injured through no fault of their own

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or get a free case review to take the first step toward compensation.

Defective Vehicle Lawsuit FAQs

Can you sue for a car malfunction?

Yes, you may be able to sue for a car malfunction if it was caused by a product defect and resulted in an injury.

To successfully sue for a car malfunction, your lawyer must show that:

A defect in the vehicle caused the malfunction
The defect directly led to the accident or injury
The auto manufacturer or another party was negligent in designing, manufacturing, or warning about the defect

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a malfunctioning vehicle, consult with an experienced defective car attorney. They can review your case and seek compensation through a defective vehicle lawsuit.

Get a free case review now to see if a top attorney can sue for a car malfunction on your behalf.

How hard is it to win a car accident lawsuit?

Winning a car accident lawsuit depends on factors like the strength of the evidence, the severity of your injuries, and the laws in your state.

Working with an experienced defective car attorney can increase your chances of a successful outcome by helping you gather evidence, negotiate a strong payout, and navigate auto defect liability laws.

What is a defective car?

A defective car is a vehicle that has a flaw in its design, manufacturing, or safety features that makes it a dangerous product.

A car may be considered defective if a part fails to function as intended or poses a danger to the driver, passengers, or others on the road.

Defective car parts include brakes, airbags, tires, and fuel systems. If a vehicle defect leads to an accident or injury, the manufacturer or other responsible parties may be held liable through a defective vehicle lawsuit.

How do I find a top auto defect attorney near me?

LawFirm.com has a network of experienced auto defect attorneys who have the resources and expertise to stand up to powerful car companies and secure the results clients deserve.

Our product liability lawyers:

Can help car crash victims in all 50 states
Have decades of experience in personal injury cases
Never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees

Together, they’ve secured hundreds of millions of dollars for victims of injustice nationwide.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or chat with a case manager to see if a top auto defect attorney may be able to fight for you.