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One of the last thing that a driver imagines happening when they get behind the wheel, start the ignition, pull out into the street and merge onto the highway is to get stuck in cruise control and barrel at top speed into the back of braking tractor trailer. Yet, this very scenario could very well happen if you are the unfortunate owner of one of the 4.8 million recalled vehicles currently on U.S. roadways that could potentially get stuck in cruise control. Defective auto parts are some of the most dangerous types of product to malfunction. When a pillow does not work properly, no one is going to die in a fiery collision. When a Ram 3500 pickup is outfitted with a defective part, lives are at stake.
One Incident of Locked Cruise Control Reported, No Injuries or Fatalities to Date
Fiat Chrysler found itself in hot water as the company recalled 4.8 million vehicles recently–vehicles ranging from 2014 sedans to 2018 Jeeps, according to CNN. The problem stems from a defective cruise control system that can malfunction when the vehicle is put in cruise control and has to accelerate to maintain speed, such as when climbing a hill. When this scenario occurs, the system can potentially be short circuited and the driver is then locked in cruise control. Simply tapping the brakes or switching the cruise control off does not allow the driver to exit cruise control. While shifting the car into neutral or applying the brakes with force can slow the car, it may be too late. While no injuries or fatalities have been reported to date, this is just an example of how manufacturing processes must be checked thoroughly before a product, especially a vehicle, is allowed onto the marketplace.
Suing the Manufacturer or Seller of a Car for an Injury Caused by Their Faulty Product
As the driver of a defective vehicle, as a passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, or as someone hit who was in another vehicle, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party. Designers, manufacturers, and even distributors can be held liable for selling defective products. With millions of recalls being issued every year, it can be hard to keep track of whether or not your vehicle is safe, as manufacturers do not even notify everyone affected. Millions of Takata airbags, for example, may cause fatalities due to exploding and sending lethal shrapnel into the driver’s face. Hundreds of thousands of Takata airbag equipped vehicles are still on the streets in Philadelphia. In fact, it has been reported that one in five cars had an outstanding recall.
Call a Philadelphia Defective Products Personal Injury Attorney Today
Were you or a loved one injured by a defective vehicle? Whether a recall was issued or not, you have the right to pursue damages. Reach out to the experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorneys of van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin today for help with filing a claim.
