Bart Durham Personal Injury News & Blog

Who is responsible for an automotive defect in Tennessee?

Written by Bart Durham Injury Law | Dec 22, 2015 7:37:14 PM

Every year, millions of vehicles on the road in Tennessee and across the country have defects. According to a report in The Detroit News, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cited that a record 63.95 million motor vehicles were recalled in 2014.

Many of these defects were due to issues with air bags and electrical systems, both of which can have fatal consequences if not addressed properly. If your vehicle has a defect or is the subject of a recall, it is imperative to tend to the problem as soon as possible. In most cases, you can take the car to the manufacturer, who will either repair the issue or replace your vehicle.

However, in the event that the defect causes you an injury, you should know where to look for the compensation necessary to pay for your damages. Generally, the manufacturer of your vehicle will be responsible for the wrongdoing. However, there is also a chance that you may be able to sue another company as well. For example, if a certain car part is found to be defective, you may be able to list the manufacturer of that component in addition to the carmaker.

Damages from these types of lawsuits can include the following:

  •        Economic: Paying for medical bills and time you missed from work due to injury
  •        Non-economic: Paying you for your pain and suffering, for example
  •        Punitive: Issued as a form of punishment for exceptional negligence 

Tennessee grants you just one year from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit, so acting quickly is key to recovering compensation.

While this information may be useful, it should not be taken as legal advice.