Vehicle defects can cause or exacerbate injury in car accidents, but without an experienced attorney on your side, these defects may go unnoticed. Establishing liability following car accidents is essential for proper compensation – but what if the responsible party is nowhere near the scene?
California car accident attorney Mickey Fine has over two decades of experience investigating accidents and establishing liability. If vehicle defects played a role in your accident, he is prepared to take your case, hold negligent companies accountable, and fight to get you every penny you are due.
If you have been injured in an auto accident in or around Bakersfield, please contact the Law Offices of Mickey Fine online or call (661) 333-3333 today to schedule a free consultation with our Bakersfield car accident attorney.
Types of Vehicle Defects
Vehicle parts that may pose a serious threat include:
- Steering components
- Break systems
- Fuel systems
- Accelerators
- Electrical components
- Tires
- Seatbelts
- Airbags
Defects with some of these parts may cause a driver to lose control of a vehicle, resulting in catastrophic injury or death. Sadly, accidents caused by defective parts may appear to have been caused by the victim – one more reason why it is essential to have an experienced car accident attorney on your side immediately following you accident.
Vehicle defects may fall under product liability law, but this is not always the case. Bakersfield personal injury attorney Mickey Fine would be happy to meet with you free of charge to discuss your accident, help you better understand your rights, and advise you on the best way to move forward with your claim.
To schedule your free consultation with our experienced Bakersfield personal injury accident attorney, please contact us today. Mickey Fine serves victims of car accidents throughout California from our offices in Bakersfield, but can come to you if your injuries prohibit travel.
FAQs
What deadlines apply in Bakersfield for filing a defective vehicle accident claim under California law?
For defective vehicle accidents in California (including Kern County/Bakersfield), you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under California’s statute of limitations.
If a vehicle I was driving had a defect but I was partly at fault in the crash, how does that affect my compensation?
Under California law, your fault does not automatically eliminate your ability to recover — California uses a pure comparative fault standard. If you were partially responsible for the crash, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. In a defective-vehicle context in Bakersfield, this means that even if you bear some responsibility (e.g., speeding, improper maintenance), you can still recover damages from the vehicle manufacturer or other liable party for the defective component. The injured party’s award would simply be reduced accordingly.
For example, if you were found 25% at fault, you could still collect 75% of the damages attributed to the defect-related liability.
What compensation can I seek in Bakersfield for injuries caused by a defective vehicle?
When you work with a Bakersfield defective vehicle accident lawyer, you may seek the full range of compensatory damages in California, including:
- Medical expenses, past and future (including surgeries, physical therapy, prosthetics, rehabilitation).
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity, especially if the defect caused a catastrophic injury limiting your ability to work.
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life.
- Property damage, including damage to your vehicle and any collateral losses.
- Punitive damages, in certain California defective vehicle cases where the manufacturer acted with malice or conscious disregard for safety.