Setareh Law
March 17, 2025
Vehicle manufacturers often issue vehicle recalls to notify owners of certain defects that must be repaired. When a vehicle recall has been issued, it is most likely because the defect is a safety threat. For example, many recalls are related to defective airbags, seatbelts, tires, or brakes. When a recall has been issued for your vehicle, it is your responsibility to address the recall and avoid operating your vehicle until the defect has been repaired. If you knew about a recall and failed to address it, you could face liability for an accident caused by your defective vehicle. While it is true manufacturers can also face liability for distributing vehicles with faulty products, a driver who ignores a recall will also face liability in the event of an accident.
If you were involved in a car accident and your car was subject to an active recall, you should speak with an experienced car accident lawyer. Your lawyer will investigate the facts of your case and advise you on what steps to take. You may be able to argue the manufacturer did not notify you of the recall in a reasonable amount of time. At Setareh Law, our skilled car accident lawyers can help you understand how your vehicle’s recall will affect your claim. Let us help you in the aftermath of your car accident.
Vehicle Recalls Should Be Taken Seriously
Vehicle recalls can be issued by the manufacturers of the affected vehicles or by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Often, the owners of the recalled vehicles will be notified directly, but vehicle recalls are also posted on the NHTSA’s website. If you have been notified that your vehicle is subject to a recall, you should address the recall as soon as possible. Most recall-related repairs are typically completed at no cost to the owners because manufacturers are legally obligated to remedy their defective products as a matter of public safety.
Vehicle owners should take recalls seriously because ignoring a recall can lead to a dangerous or fatal accident. Many recalls are related to important safety features of cars: seatbelts, airbags, tires, and brakes. After learning about a recall, the vehicle owner should avoid driving the car. Vehicle owners who get into accidents because of their own cars’ defects would most likely face increased liability for such accidents, especially if the owners ignored their vehicles’ recalls.
How Vehicle Recalls Impact Liability in Car Accident Claims
Ignoring a vehicle recall will most likely increase liability in a car accident claim. When a known recall or defect is found to be the cause of the accident, insurance companies tend to reduce the amount they will pay on a claim or deny the claim altogether. This is why it is crucial to address any vehicle recall as soon as possible. Not only do you want to avoid any accidents caused by your defective vehicle, but you also want to avoid the liability associated with driving a car with a known recall. An experienced car accident lawyer will be able to investigate your case and advise you on the best steps to take regarding your car accident claim.
Vehicle recalls are the result of faulty products. Ultimately, the manufacturers are responsible for any product defects, and manufacturers can still be held liable for accidents that occur before owners have been notified of any recalls. However, once a recall has been issued and drivers are notified, it becomes the responsibility of the drivers to have their cars repaired. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be able to prove you were not notified of the recall in a reasonable amount of time; therefore, the manufacturer should face more liability for your accident.
Contact Setareh Law’s Experienced Car Accident Lawyers Today to Discuss Your Car Accident Claim
Vehicle recalls are important because they inform owners of safety defects that must be repaired. A vehicle owner is going to face more liability if they knew about the recall and chose to continue driving the car. If you were involved in an accident and your vehicle has been recalled, you should speak with an attorney today to discuss your potential liability and decide how to proceed. Our talented car accident lawyers are ready to help you navigate your car accident claim.
At Setareh Law, we want you to be informed of all your legal options after a car accident. We would be happy to discuss your case today. Call (310) 659-1826 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation in English or Spanish.
