Crashworthiness & Vehicle Structural Defects

Various aspects of a vehicle can contribute to its crashworthiness, including (but not limited to) the:

• Seat belts
• Airbags
• Roof strength
• Strength of the occupant compartment (or safety cage)
• Crumple zones.

Regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluate the crashworthiness of passenger vehicles using a 5-star rating system, in which more stars indicate safer cars (i.e., more crashworthy vehicles).²

Tragically, the design, structure, and features of vehicles are not always safe, effective, or functional. This is especially true when:

• Vehicles and/or vehicle equipment are poorly designed.
• Corners are cut and/or mistakes are made in the manufacturing process.
• Automakers are failing to adequately test the safety of vehicles and their safety components.

Such negligence can result in auto defects and structural failures like (but not limited to):

• Airbag failures, such as failing to deploy, failing to fully inflate, and exploding airbags
• Seat belt failures, including seat belts that fail to stay latched and seat belts that provide too much slack
• Vehicle seat failures, like collapsing seats that crush occupants or forward-thrusting seats that push occupants into the dashboard or through the windshield
• Door failures, including doors failing to stay closed, increasing the risk of occupants being thrown from vehicles
• Crumple zone failures and roof collapses, which can crush vehicle occupants during rollover accidents
• Tire failures, including tread separation and tire blowouts.

When these (and other) types of auto defects and structural failures occur:

• Recalls may be issued – Unfortunately, many recalls are only issued after a defective vehicle part has already caused accidents and injuries. What is also troubling is the fact that many recalls for defective vehicle equipment are minimal to moderately successful (which is partly due to manufacturers not have current contact information for vehicle owners, preventing them from being able to notify owners of a recall).
• They can cause auto accidents or intensify the outcomes of crashes – When this occurs, accident victims can have various legal options for financial recovery and justice.

In the aftermath of a crash, it can be difficult to know what exactly caused the accident, especially when serious injuries have been sustained. This is where the insight of an experienced product liability lawyer at the Amaro Law Firm can be essential.

Our lawyers can conduct further investigations to determine whether factors like the following played a role in causing the wreck or worsening its outcome:

• Dangerous vehicle design
• Defective vehicle components
• Vehicle structural defects
• An uncrashworthy vehicle.

In these auto defect claims, some of the liable parties may include (but may not be limited to):

• Automakers
• Vehicle equipment manufacturers
• Safety testing consultants or engineers.

The Amaro Law Firm can help you hold all negligent parties accountable so you can get the justice and financial recovery you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an auto defect or an uncrashworthy vehicle, a Houston personal injury attorney at the Amaro Law Firm is ready to explain your legal options and provide you with the highest quality representation moving forward.

Call (713) 352-7975, text (281) 612-8024, or contact our firm for your FREE consultation and important answers about your potential claim.

The Amaro Law Firm’s record of extraordinary representation and success in product liability claims (and other personal injury claims) has earned us glowing testimonials from former clients, as well as 5-star ratings on Google and Facebook.

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1: Definition of “crashworthiness,” according to the NHTSA
2: NHTSA 5-Star Rating System for Crashworthiness