As a car accident attorney, I represent many clients who were injured in car wrecks caused by people speeding, driving recklessly, driving distracted, or even driving drunk. What many people do not consider is the risk that can come from the vehicle itself. When you buy a car, it is assumed that the car is safe to drive and in good condition, and will respond like it should to commands. Few think about the potential for defects that can cause accidents. Unfortunately, this does happen from time to time, and sometimes, deadly accidents happen as a result.

The most recent example of this is with Fiat Chrysler. The DOT announced in July that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles confirmed they violated the Motor Vehicles Safety Act. They did so by not repairing known safety defects and recalling cars like they should have. Their actions were in relation to 23 safety recalls applied to 11 million cars. In essence, there are millions of Fiats on American roads with clear safety problems that have not been corrected. The National Highway Safety Administration has imposed a civil penalty of $105 million dollars and is requiring Fiat to buy back some of the cars affected by these safety issues. Some vehicles, for example, have been catching on fire. To make sure the public is safe from these types of poor manufacturing practices, Fiat Chrysler will also be closely monitored for the next three years.

What does this mean for you?

If you own a vehicle manufactured by Fiat Chrysler, you should go online or call a dealer to see if your particular model has any outstanding recalls or safety issues. If you have been in an accident or injured by a car manufactured by this company, it poses an interesting question as to whether the accident was the fault of the driver or the safety defect. As a car accident attorney, I would be happy to speak with you, review the case, and investigate your particular situation further. The only way to determine the exact cause of the accident is to investigate what happened.

As a car accident attorney, my job is to determine whether or not you have a case and to identify who is responsible for the accident. Typically, the answer is clear in that the accident was caused by the other driver. If they were driving a company vehicle, sometimes the company is responsible. However, in cases like these, the manufacturer may have partial or full liability for what happened. In a civil case, it is necessary to identify all responsible parties right away, so it is important to work with a lawyer who is familiar with safety recalls and other issues surrounding auto manufacturing companies. If you are unsure of what caused your accident or want to have your legal rights protected, call my office and schedule a consultation today.