Car companies should prioritize safety in every vehicle they produce. Ideally, once a car rolls off the assembly line, no one should have to worry about it causing harm to the owner or anyone else on the road.
However, product defects are a reality and, unfortunately, motor vehicles are no exception. So, if you discover a potential vehicle defect in California, where can you, as a consumer, report it?
Checking and reporting car recalls
Californians can check and report car recalls on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website, safercar.gov. You can enter your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if there are any safety recalls.
If you find a safety problem that hasn’t been recalled, you can report it to NHTSA on the same website. This helps find new safety issues and can lead to recalls that protect other drivers.
It’s important to stay informed about your car’s safety, especially if you have any worries. Take action as soon as you can when you experience severe injuries due to a suspected defect.
Cases of serious injuries
While reporting recalls is important, sometimes serious injuries occur due to vehicle defects, such as (but not limited to):
- Airbag failures
- Brake malfunctions
- Steering system defects
- Fuel system leaks
In such cases, more serious legal action may be necessary. For instance, if you’ve suffered injuries like traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage or severe burns due to a vehicle defect, it may be beneficial to consult an attorney with experience in personal injury and product liability cases. A legal professional can help you file a claim, pursue a lawsuit if you have a valid case and suffered significant damages and protect your rights.