Recalls seem to be in the news all the time these days with the Takata air bag issues, the Volkswagen emission scandal, and the General Motors ignition switch problems, just to name a few. While this could make our vehicles safer, it also means that more unrepaired vehicles are on Texas roads. This could complicate your case if you are in an automobile collision.
How Big Is the Problem?
According to Carfax, there were more than 47 million vehicles with open recalls on our roads in 2015, a 27 percent increase since 2014. Sadly, Texas is at the top of the list of vehicles in need of repairs for safety issues. There are many reasons why more vehicles are being recalled. Some of these include:
Increased enforcement.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is taking a much more aggressive position in requiring automakers to issue recalls for safety issues and charging stiff penalties when automakers cover up problems.
Increased scrutiny and reporting.
NHTSA is also increasing its efforts to find safety defects, and its more aggressive safety stance is resulting in more safety problems being identified and reported more quickly by automakers.
Increased cooperation.
At the Detroit Auto Show in February, 2016, 18 automakers entered into an agreement with NHTSA to cooperate in identifying safety defects and in fixing problems as quickly as possible.
What the Increased Number of Recalled Vehicles Could Mean to Your Car Accident Case
With all the unrepaired vehicles on the road, there is a chance that you could be hit by a negligent driver driving a vehicle with an outstanding recall. His negligent driving—such as speeding, tailgating, talking on a cellphone, or texting—could have caused the crash. However, a safety defect under recall could have contributed to the crash or made your injuries worse. How does this affect your right to compensation from the negligent driver?
You would still have a claim against the driver, but you could also have a claim against other parties. The vehicle manufacturer and the part supplier are a few of the additional parties you may need to sue. This may ultimately make it easier for you to achieve a favorable settlement because there would be more parties each paying a portion of your damages.
Have You Been Injured In A Texas Car Accident?
If you've been hurt in a Texas car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.
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