HomeTraffic Accident Reconstruction: Vehicle Defects
Vehicle defects can contribute to the cause of an accident and the magnitude of the injuries resulting from a car accident. Due to advances in safety equipment and manufacturing processes, motor vehicles are much safer today than in the past. However, design and manufacturing errors still occur. Some of the many defects our engineers advise clients on and provide expert witness services on are tires, brakes, air bags, seat belts, and other mechanical defects.
Tires
Tires play a critical role allowing the driver to maintain full control of the vehicle. When a tire is defective or not properly maintained, it may cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle and have an accident that could result in bodily injury. Defects in tires can result from errors in design, manufacturing process or maintenance. Maintenance involves the age, tire pressure, wear, and repair of tires.
Brakes
Brakes have an important role in allowing vehicles to stop in an adequate distance
with control. Defective brakes can sometimes result from poor design, manufacturing errors, poor calibration and maintenance.
Air Bags
Air bags are designed to deploy quickly and prevent drivers and passengers from striking interior objects such as steering wheels, windshields, or other automobile parts. There are several different types of air bags such as: frontal air bags, side curtain air bags, knee air bags, rear curtain air bags, and rear center air bags. The Event Data Recorder (also known as a Black Box) utilizes microprocessor controllers to determine when the air bag should be deployed in an accident situation. A defect or error in design and manufacturing could result in malfunction of the airbag, resulting in possibly more severe injuries.
Seat Belts
Seat belts are designed to secure the occupant of the vehicle against harmful movement that would otherwise result from a collision. They are designed with the intent of preventing the occupant from being thrown from the vehicle or sustaining injuries from impact with the interior of the vehicle. Seat belts that come unlatched or have a mechanical defect that does not secure the occupant properly could result in more severe injuries.
Mechanical Defects
Mechanical defects can occur to a wide range of parts on motor vehicles. However, some defects are not the direct result of errors in design or manufacturing processes. Some defects may be the result of poor maintenance, modifications to the vehicle and improper repairs. Some defects may even result in vehicle fires. Situations such as these could result in the occupants having bodily injuries.