How to Tell If Your Car Accident Might Actually Be a Product Liability Case

Jinks Crow
Nov 5
2 min read

You might think your car accident was simply that—an accident. But what if something deeper caused it? A defective tire, a faulty airbag, or a brake failure could turn a routine crash into a product liability case. These cases are not just about who was driving; they are about whether a product you trusted failed you when it mattered most.

What Makes It a Product Liability Case

Product liability applies when a defective or dangerous product causes harm. In car accidents, that might mean:

Defective tires that blow out or lose tread unexpectedly
Faulty airbags that fail to deploy or deploy too aggressively
Brake systems that do not function as designed
Seat belts that unlatch or tear during impact
Design flaws that make a vehicle inherently unsafe

A car accident product liability case often involves defective parts such as airbags, tires, or brakes that fail to perform as intended. When a product defect contributes to an accident, the manufacturer may be held responsible for resulting injuries.

When these defects cause or worsen an accident, the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer could be held legally responsible for your injuries. A product liability attorney can help determine who is at fault and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Why These Cases Are Often Overlooked

After a wreck, most people, and even some attorneys, focus on driver error. But if something about the accident does not add up, it is worth looking deeper. Maybe the airbags did not deploy. Maybe a new tire blew out for no clear reason. Maybe others have reported the same issue with the same vehicle model.

It helps to remember:

“Sometimes what looks like an accident is actually a product failure.”

Many people never suspect that a defective auto part, not the driver, could be responsible for a crash. Faulty tires, airbags, or safety systems can cause serious or life-changing injuries. Knowing how to recognize the signs of a product defect can make all the difference in your case.

Details like these matter. A knowledgeable product liability lawyer can work with investigators and engineers to determine whether a product failure played a role and identify the party who should be held accountable.

What You Can Do Right Away

If you suspect that a defective product caused your accident:

Preserve everything. Do not repair or dispose of the vehicle or any parts.
Document the scene. Photos, videos, and witness statements can all support your claim.
Seek medical care immediately. Keep detailed records of all treatment.
Talk to an attorney experienced in product liability cases. These claims are complex and require careful investigation.