Kansas City Auto Defect Attorneys
Seeking Fair Compensation for the Injured
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recalls millions of vehicles every year due to safety issues and auto defects that put motorists’ lives at risk. Unfortunately, these recalls do not remove all dangerous vehicles from the road. Thousands of accidents, injuries, and deaths occur annually as a result of dangerous and defective automobiles.
If you or someone you love was involved in a car accident resulting from an auto defect, or if you were in any other way harmed by a faulty vehicle or vehicle part, you could be entitled to financial compensation. The Kansas City auto defect lawyers at Potts Law Firm can help you bring a case against the manufacturer or another liable party and seek the justice you deserve.
To request a free, no-obligation consultation, call (816) 312-5125 or contact us online using our secure contact form. Hablamos español.
What Is an Auto Defect?
An auto defect refers to a faulty vehicle design or any faulty vehicle component that poses an unreasonable risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants. When an auto defect causes injury or death, the affected party or parties (including surviving family members in wrongful death cases) can take legal action against the liable party. This is usually (though not always) the manufacturer of the vehicle or defective component.
While any vehicle component can be defective, some are more often the subject of auto defect litigation than others. These include:
- Airbags
- Seatbelts
- Door latch mechanisms
- Hood latch mechanisms
- Steering components
- Braking systems
- Headlights and taillights
- Tires
- Ignitions
- Accelerators
- Fuel systems
- Windows and windshields
Defective vehicle design can also put motorists at serious risk. Poorly designed motor vehicles may include top-heavy designs that roll over easily in accidents, or vehicles that lack adequate support structures, leading to roof and door/sidewall crushes.
Some of the most famous examples of auto defects include the Ford Pinto, which contained a poorly placed fuel system that led to numerous vehicle fires and explosions, and the Toyota accelerator scandal, which led to the recall of more than eight million vehicles.
What Types of Damages Are Available in Auto Defect Cases?
Accident victims and others affected by auto defects frequently sustain severe bodily injuries, which can lead to immense physical and mental pain and suffering, permanent disability, and lasting financial hardships. Victims and their loved ones could be entitled to compensation for these and other damages under both personal injury and product liability law.
Depending on the specifics of your situation, you could be entitled to the following types of damages:
- Medical expenses
- Future care costs
- In-home assistance and care
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Medications
- Lost income/wages
- Future lost earnings
- Loss of earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Legal expenses
At Potts Law Firm, we help our clients fight for maximum compensation so that they can move forward with their lives. Our Kansas City auto defect lawyers aggressively pursue favorable settlements whenever possible, but we are also fully prepared to take your case to court if necessary.
Reach out to us today at (816) 312-5125 or submit a free case evaluation form here on our website.
It's All About Your Recovery
Hear From Our Past Client's
-
I had a wonderful experience with this law firm.
“They were able to complete it in a timely manner and were great at keeping me up to date with communication throughout the entire process. I highly recommend using this law firm if the need arises.”
- Stephen P. -
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him or any of the team at Potts.
“Michael Bins has been extremely helpful in helping us to navigate a situation with an insurance claim on a commercial property. He’s gone above and beyond in moving our case toward a positive resolution that we’re satisfied with.”
- Theo C. -
The Potts Law Firm is a powerhouse of brilliant attorneys.
“They know the law from every angle, dig deep, and will not accept anything less than what was asked in the original suit. The Potts team never backed down until the case was settled in full.”
- Molly H. -
I highly recommend Adam and Potts Law Firm
“From the first meeting, Adam made me feel like he had my best interest at heart and took care of everything. I can't say enough good things about how helpful, professional, and caring Adam was to me.”
- Mary H. -
I would recommend Potts Law Firm for any and all legal matters that come my way in the future!
“The Potts Law Firm answered all of my numerous questions in layman’s terms which is what I needed. I was able to lie back & heal from my injuries knowing full well that my obligations were being handled appropriately.”
- W. Gary
Who Is Liable for an Auto Defect?
Determining who is liable for an auto defect often requires determining what type of defect the vehicle has and how it occurred. Faulty components can be introduced at various stages of production, and it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what happened without an in-depth investigation.
Depending on the specific factors involved, any of the following parties could be legally responsible for an auto defect:
- The auto manufacturer
- The auto distributor
- An independent car dealer
- The dealership
- The manufacturer of a specific defective vehicle component
At Potts Law Firm, we conduct independent investigations and work with industry experts to identify different types of auto defects, as well as their causes. This allows us to determine who is liable for our clients’ damages and, most importantly, pursue maximum compensation for victims.
it's all about your best possible result
Explore our past successes-
Seat Back Failure Seven-Figure Settlement
Potts Law Firm secured a confidential seven-figure settlement against an automobile manufacturer when the client’s vehicle was struck by another vehicle causing the driver’s seat to collapse backward allowing the client to be thrown into the back seat where she received spinal cord injuries, rendering her a quadriplegic.
-
Defective Airbag Seven-Figure Settlement
Potts Law Firm secured a confidential seven-figure settlement against an automobile manufacturer for the clients when their nine-year-old daughter was killed by the passenger side airbag in this low-energy collision.
-
Small Statured Seat Belt Defect Confidential Settlement
Potts Law Firm secured a judgment and subsequent confidential settlement against an automobile manufacturer for a defective occupant restraint system provided for the front seat driver in a 1990 vehicle. This was a judge-tried case. After presenting evidence as to liability, the judge entered a plaintiff’s verdict.
-
Auto Explosion Seven-Figure Settlement
Potts Law Firm secured a confidential seven-figure settlement against an automobile manufacturer for a defective fuel tank system. The client received 3rd and 2nd-degree burns over 60% of her body when the 2004 vehicle she was driving was hit in the rear causing the vehicle to become as witnesses describe a “fireball.”
-
Defective Seat Belt Seven-Figure Settlement
Potts Law Firm secured a confidential seven-figure settlement against an automobile manufacturer for the clients when the restraint system in the subject vehicle failed to properly restrain their son in a rollover.
-
Defective Seat Belt Buckle Seven-Figure Settlement
Potts Law Firm secured a confidential seven-figure settlement against automobile manufacturers when the client’s seat belt was unlatched during a collision allowing him to move forward which caused his head to impact the interior of the vehicle. The client was immediately rendered a quadriplegic.