Recently this blog discussed the major recall of defective Takata airbags. Although airbags are meant to make vehicles safer, and indeed have saved many lives in Chicago and nationwide, if they rupture or improperly deploy, they can be very dangerous. Situations like this show that even though automobiles have more safety features now than in years past, defects can still occur that injure or kill consumers.
There are so many ways that a motor vehicle can be found defective. In addition to defective airbags, another safety feature that could be defective is seat belts, particularly those that de-latch during a collision. Other types of defects include car fires and defective tires. Defective gas tanks can cause a vehicle to catch on fire, which could prove deadly. In addition, there have been various recalls over the years of tires that were found to be defective, for example the year 2000 Bridgestone/Firestone tire recall.
In some ways, lawsuits can help make vehicles safer. For example, in response to rollover lawsuits, safety features for sports utility vehicles were developed, including stronger roofs and stability controls. Unfortunately, sometimes a vehicle safety feature or recall cannot prevent all deaths from occurring.
The Chicago attorneys at Healy Scanlon Law Firm have handled many defective vehicle lawsuits, and fight for their clients to achieve a fair result. For example, they were some of the first to take on SUV rollover lawsuits in the state with regards to the Bronco II SUV. They are experienced in addressing complex situations regarding their clients’ wrongful death cases. It is important for anyone who has lost a loved one due to dangerous and defective automotive products to consider their options and consult with a Chicago products liability attorney if necessary.