Florida Automotive Product Liability Lawsuits

Automotive product liability cases involve injuries or deaths caused by defective vehicles or vehicle parts. These lawsuits can arise when a vehicle or one of its components fails to perform safely, resulting in harm to drivers, passengers, or pedestrians. In Florida, automotive product liability claims are based on the legal principle that manufacturers, distributors, and sellers have a responsibility to ensure that the vehicles they produce or sell are safe for public use.

At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, our experienced legal team has handled many product liability cases, including those involving defective vehicles. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a defective car, truck, or vehicle component, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case.

What is Automotive Product Liability?

Automotive product liability refers to the legal responsibility of manufacturers, designers, and sellers for injuries or damages caused by defects in a vehicle or its components. In these cases, the injured party must prove that a defect in the vehicle or its parts directly caused their injury. Product liability lawsuits often involve one or more of the following types of defects:

1. Design Defects: These occur when a vehicle or one of its parts has a fundamental flaw in its design that makes it unsafe, even when it is used as intended. A common example of a design defect is a vehicle that is prone to rollovers due to its center of gravity or faulty airbag systems that fail to deploy during a crash.
2. Manufacturing Defects: These defects arise when a vehicle is improperly assembled or constructed. While the vehicle’s design may be safe, errors during the manufacturing process can lead to dangerous defects, such as a seatbelt that is improperly installed or a brake system that malfunctions.
3. Failure to Warn/Marketing Defects: Manufacturers and sellers have a duty to provide adequate warnings and instructions about the risks associated with using their vehicles. A failure to provide clear warnings or instructions on how to safely use a vehicle could result in liability if an accident occurs as a result.

Common Types of Automotive Defects

Automotive defects can occur in any part of a vehicle. Some common types of defects that can lead to product liability claims include:

• Brake failures: Defective brake systems can lead to catastrophic accidents if a driver is unable to stop their vehicle in time.
• Airbag failures: Airbags that fail to deploy during a collision or deploy unexpectedly can cause severe injuries or death.
• Tire defects: Defective tires can result in blowouts, loss of control, or rollovers, especially at high speeds.
• Seatbelt failures: Seatbelts are designed to protect passengers during an accident, but defective seatbelts may fail to properly restrain occupants, leading to more serious injuries.
• Electrical system defects: Defective electrical systems can cause fires, stalling, or other malfunctions that increase the risk of an accident.
• Fuel system defects: Faulty fuel systems may increase the likelihood of fires or explosions in the event of a collision.
• Steering system defects: Problems with a vehicle’s steering system can cause drivers to lose control, leading to accidents.

Who is Liable in Automotive Product Liability Cases?

Florida law allows injured parties to seek compensation from various parties involved in the production and distribution of the vehicle or defective component. This can include:

• Vehicle manufacturers: The company that designed and manufactured the defective vehicle may be held responsible for design or manufacturing defects.
• Part manufacturers: If a specific component, such as the airbags or tires, is defective, the company that manufactured that part may be liable.
• Dealers and retailers: The dealership or retailer that sold the vehicle may be held accountable for failing to provide proper warnings or selling a known defective product.
• Distributors: Companies involved in distributing the vehicle or its parts may also share liability if they were involved in bringing the defective product to market.

In many cases, multiple parties may be liable for a single defect, allowing victims to pursue claims against several entities to maximize their compensation.

Filing an Automotive Product Liability Lawsuit in Florida

Automotive product liability claims in Florida typically fall under the state’s strict liability law. This means that you do not always need to prove that the manufacturer or seller was negligent; instead, you must generally demonstrate that the product was defective and that the defect caused your injury.

To pursue a successful automotive product liability lawsuit in Florida, you generally need to prove the following:

1. The vehicle or component was defective: The defect could be in the vehicle’s design, manufacturing, or marketing (failure to warn).
2. The defect caused your injury: You must show that the defect directly caused your injuries or damages. For example, if a defective airbag fails to deploy during a crash, leading to severe injuries, the defect is considered the cause.
3. You were using the vehicle as intended: You must generally demonstrate that you were using the vehicle in a reasonably foreseeable way at the time of the accident. If the vehicle was being used in a way that the manufacturer did not intend, your claim could be more challenging to prove.

Statute of Limitations for Automotive Product Liability in Florida

Florida has a strict statute of limitations for filing product liability claims, including automotive defect cases. Under Florida Statutes §95.11, you typically have two years from the date of the injury to file a product liability lawsuit. Also, in cases involving wrongful death, the statute of limitations is two years.

It’s often crucial to act quickly, as failing to file your claim within the statute of limitations can result in your case being dismissed and losing your right to compensation.

Compensation in Florida Automotive Product Liability Lawsuits

Victims of automotive defects in Florida may be entitled to compensation for various types of damages, including:

• Medical expenses: This includes both past and future medical bills related to your injuries, such as hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and medications.
• Lost wages: If you are unable to work due to your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income and loss of future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and resulting injuries.
• Property damage: This covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle or other property damaged in the accident.
• Wrongful death: If a defective vehicle caused the death of a loved one, their surviving family members may be able to recover damages for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional suffering.

How the Law Offices of Jason Turchin Can Help

Automotive product liability cases are often complicated, requiring extensive investigation, expert testimony, and a thorough understanding of both legal and technical issues. At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, we have the experience and resources needed to handle these challenging cases.

Our team will work with industry experts to identify the defect that caused your injury, gather evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf. We have handled a wide range of product liability claims and are committed to helping our clients obtain the compensation they deserve.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective vehicle or vehicle component, don’t wait to seek legal help. The Law Offices of Jason Turchin are here to assist you every step of the way. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you pursue justice.

Let us help you get the compensation you deserve. Call the Law Offices of Jason Turchin today!